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Coat colour in dogs is controlled by a wide range of different genes working together.
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Specifications
| Breeds | Mudi, Pumi, Chihuahua, English Mastiff, Greyhound, Italian Greyhound, Pekingese, Shetland Sheepdog, Shih-Tzu, Tibetan Mastiff, Yorkshire Terrier |
|---|---|
| Gene | |
| Organ | |
| specimen | Swab, Blood EDTA, Blood Heparin, Semen, Tissue |
| Mode of Inheritance | |
| Chromosome | |
| Also known as | |
| Year Published |
General information
Coat colour in dogs is controlled by a wide range of different genes working together. These genes are often referred to as ‘loci’. The Dilution, or D-Locus, corresponds to the gene for melanophilin, MLPH, which is involved in the distribution of pigment. Mutations of the D-Locus result in a ‘dilution’ of dark coat colours, turning them lighter and more silvery.
Any combination of two mutant alleles will result in a diluted coat. This variant of the D-Locus mutation, designated as d^3, is found in breeds such as the Chihuahua, Hungarian Mudi and Hungarian Pumi, Italian Greyhound and Shih-Tzu.
Clinical features
Hair and nose colour are diluted, the eye colour lightens to amber. The allele D is dominant and does not have an effect on the coat colour. Only in dogs with two copies of a recessive allele d, the coat colour is diluted. Black dilutes into grey, also called blue or charcoal. The coat ranges from silver to almost black, but all have a blue nose. Chocolate/brown/liver dilutes into lilac/light tan/Isabella, their noses vary from pink, liver to isabella. Red/yellow/cream dilutes into champagne.
Mutations in the D-locus can sometimes cause colour dilution alopecia, as the dilute coat colour is linked to hair loss (alopecia). The severity and occurrence of alopecia vary both within and between breeds, meaning only some dogs with d/d will develop hair loss and certain breeds are more prone to the condition. The variable presentation of this condition suggests that additional genetic or environmental factors contribute to its development. Affected dogs typically experience hair loss between four months and two years of age, and their coats may appear dry and dull.
Additional information
Coat colour is an intricate trait that involves a combination of multiple different genes. Testing for a range of different loci will give the most complete prediction of a dog's coat colour genetics.
Additional, undiscovered variants of the D-Locus mutation are likely to exist.
References
Pubmed ID: 32531980
Omia ID: 31