General Coat Patterns Questions

I guess, to me, it reads as a bit contradictory. At the very beginning, it's stated that unusual markings and patterns are allowed, they just have to be realistic colors, and then further down it's said that there are specific markings allowed via dog ancestry only (which I'm not contesting, that makes sense to me). So I guess my big question is what is the line for "unusual" markings/patterns.

Unusual markings and patterns are allowed within reason. Some examples:
https://wolf-rpg.com/member.php?action=profile&uid=4601
https://wolf-rpg.com/member.php?action=profile&uid=3762
https://wolf-rpg.com/member.php?action=profile&uid=6443
https://wolf-rpg.com/member.php?action=profile&uid=4733

None of these are designs that would ever occur IRL in a full-blooded wolf, but we have some flexibility as long as they are realistic colors. In general, as long as the color exists in the canid species, it is acceptable.

I know someone struggled with a character that had a spotted face bc the spots were too symmetrical but at the same time, symmetry does occur in nature, which (to me) is where the subjectivity comes in.

The character in question had two exact Rorschach markings on its face. It wasn't just the symmetry that was the issue but the inclusion of an unrealistically exact symbol - as a general rule, symbol markings are not permissible outside of hearts (which are found IRL).

Spotting is a non-issue. There's lots of things that cause spotting or variation in coat expression  -- unstable KIT genes (random mutations), merle, splash, dilutes, brindling, leukotricia, vitiligo. In general though, these things don't show up as an exact marking of a symbol.

If players are worried their design might toe the line they can always post it here to crowdsource. Historically, there have been very few declines because of design alone. In general players seem to have a good grasp of what’s permissible and this is rarely an issue.