Improper Coat/Furnishings Dog

Improper Coat/Furnishings

Furnishings is the term used to describe the longer facial hair that is characteristic of many wire-haired breeds. The presence of furnishings is caused by a dominant mutation in the R-spondin 2 (RSPO2) gene. RSPO2 is probably also involved in general coat length. In some breeds like Labradoodle, Goldendoodles and Portuguese Water Dogs, furnishings are part of the breed standard and are considered normal. The lack of furnishing in these breeds is described as improper coat (IC). The improper coat is recessive and therefore a test can help to prevent improper coated dogs.

In breeds with furnishings, the hair typically grows around the muzzle and over the eyebrows, giving dogs with furnishings the appearance of having a beard or moustache. Improper coat is characterized by short hair on the head, face, and lower legs, rather than a thick and even coat covering the whole body.

Inheritance

Improper coat is considered the wild type alle (IC) and therefore furnishings are cause by the mutant allele. Furnishings are dominant and only need one copy to show. Improper coat is therefore recessive, and dogs need 2 copies to express the improper coat.

*See additional information.

Additional information

In this situation, for the specific breeds, the wild type is considered abnormal and the mutation is considered normal. This can be confusion when using terms as normal coat and modified coat. It’s important to realize that “improper coat” is wild type and a dog with furnishings has the dominant mutation even though this mutated coat is sometimes considered normal in certain breeds like Labradoodle, Goldendoodles and Portuguese Water Dogs. The mutation was originally discovered in Portuguese Water Dogs, it is known to occur in other breeds and this test is suitable for most dog breeds.

Relevant tests

• H848