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How Can I Predict the Coat Color of Puppies?

Aug 24, 2016 | Canine DNA Testing, Pets & Vets

You might be wondering if you can predict – or even control – the coat color of your puppies. The answer is YES.

The number of DNA tests available to dog owners and breeders have expanded dramatically in recent years. What used to be just a handful of tests has grown, and includes several new inherited diseases and trait tests. These DNA tests have proven to be reliable and affordable in helping dog breeders make more informed decisions, and best manage the traits of their litters.

The overall objective for breeders therefore is to avoid propagating the undesirable traits while promoting good health and the desirable traits within the breeding program.

One such trait test option that has grown dramatically in recent years is Coat Color DNA Testing. Each breed has it’s own unique set of characteristics that set it apart from other breeds. These differences can be traced back hundreds of years (sometimes longer) based on rigorous selection for the animal to help its human counterpart perform a specific job. During that time specific colors began to present themselves that would later become part of the standard for each breed.

For a full list of DNA tests available, contact DDC Veterinary.

Perhaps understanding the color inheritance of the dog might be considered by some as a “novelty,” and less important than some of the disease tests available. However, in recent years the ability to predict color outcomes has become increasing popular among many breeders. Black is often the “dominant” color among many breeds however it’s those hidden “recessive” colors that breeders wish to identify in order to predict potential color outcomes in litters. For example, the Labrador retriever is a good model to begin understanding basic color inheritance.

There are normally 3 possible solid colors whereby black is dominant, the yellow and chocolate are hidden colors in the way that they are inherited. In order for yellow and/or chocolate to be produced, the black colored parents would therefore both need to possess the hidden genes for yellow and chocolate. DNA tests can quickly identify whether these hidden yellow (E Locus) and chocolate (B Locus) genes exist in a particular canine.

This was just one example of how DNA color testing can help a Labrador breeder. There are so many additional breeds that can benefit including the German Shepherd, Bulldog, Yorkshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Poodle, Boxer, etc. There are over 200 breeds that have color DNA options available! In addition, color testing options include 10 specific color tests, including Dilution, Agouti colors, S Locus for Piebald, Parti, Landseer or Random White Spotting just to name a few.

For more information, call DDC Veterinary, or you can order tests directly through the website.

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