The Keratin 71 (KRT71) gene influences the hair formation. The Curly Coat test (H921) tests for the genetic status of the KRT71 gene. The KRT71 gene has two variants (alleles). The allele CC is dominant and results in a curly coat. Only when the dog has two copies of the recessive allele N the coat is of a non-curly type. Some breeds, such as the Irish Water Dog, are fixed for the dominant allele CC. Other breeds, such as Kuvasz, can have either curly or non-curly hair.

The Curly Coat test encloses the following results:

Result Curly Coat test Coat
CC/CC Curly coat, unless modified by another mutation influencing hair formation
N/CC Curly coat,  unless modified by another mutation influencing hair formation
N/N Non-curly coat, unless modified by another mutation influencing hair formation

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