Color Mutations in Dobermans
Albino Dobermans and Color Dilution Alopecia
Description
Color Dilution Alopecia: The dilution of the red color produces a fawn colored doberman and the dilution of black produces a blue colored doberman. Coats are normal at birth and start to deteriorate between six months and three years of age.
Phenotypes
White or Cream Colored
Fawn
Blue
Genotypes
History
Color Dilution Alopecia: The first case of color dilution alopecia was found in two blue pomeranians named Squid and Cracker in 1897. These dogs suffered from hair loss and poor skin.
Squib and Cracker
Padula's Queen Shebah
Genetic Inheritance and Transmission
Albino: The albino gene is known as the masking gene. The mutated tyrosinase gene (CC,Cc,cc) greatly reduces the number of pigment granules in the fur. The dog must be recessive (cc) for the gene to show the phenotype of white or cream.
Color Dilution Alopecia: The coat color can be modified by the second pair of genes (DD,Dd,dd), which produce the intensity of the color. Dilution of the red color produces a phenotype of fawn and the dilution of the black color produces the phenotype of blue. Both of the intensity genes must be recessive (dd) for dilution to occur.
Doberman Color Inheritance Chart
Example of Crossing Different Colors
Why these Color Abnormalities are a Problem
Color Dilution Alopecia: Some concerns include brittle hair, patchy hair loss, skin problems, bacterial skin infections, and bumps on the skin.
How to Eradicate or Decrease Prevalence
Food for Thought
Bibliography
"Dobermans Den." Dobermans Den RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2014. <http://dobermansden.com/doberman-colors/>.
Foster, Race. "Color Mutant Alopecia (Blue Doberman Syndrome)." Color Mutant Alopecia (Blue Doberman Syndrome). Drs. Foster and Smith Inc., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2014. <http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2111&aid=413>.
Kendick, Cathy. "Coat Color Genetics." Doberman Pinscher Club of America. Dobe Quest, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2014. <http://dobequest.org/genotype.php>.
Thompson, W. Donald. "The Doberman." DPCA. Doberman Pinscher Club of America, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2014. <http://dpca.org/breed/breed_color.htm>.
"White Dobermans." White Dobermans. Pargon Kennel, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2014. <http://paragonkennel.com/Dobe_white.html>.