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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 | |
|---|---|
| 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 Harlequin, or H-locus, which corresponds to the gene PSMB7, is a particular locus that can affect the coat colour and pattern of the Great Dane. In dogs that also express Merle (M-locus mutation), the dominant mutation to the H-locus further modifies the coat colour, resulting in an unpigmented white base with irregular black spots. Harlequin cannot be expressed if the dog does not produce dark pigment (governed by the E-locus).
The Harlequin mutation is believed to be homozygous lethal, meaning that only carriers will be born.
Clinical features
Affected dogs that would otherwirse have a Merle pattern develop a Harlequin pattern instead. Harlequin dogs have a lighter, unpigmented base coat with larger black or dark spots. As the mutation is likely homozygous lethal, breeding two Harlequin carriers together may result in a smaller than usual litter size.
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.
References
Pubmed ID: 21256207
Omia ID: 1454