Genetics: Where it came from and how to read your results

Genetic coat color testing can be a helpful tool to help us better predict what possible colors a potential breeder has in store for future offspring’s coat colors. As such we must understand that science is always evolving and genes are always mutating, so understanding Knowing that our genetic tests are simply a tool and not a tell all, is important. To achieve the results that we strive for in our breeding program, we must keep up with today’s science surrounding coat color genetics.

First to get a grasp on genetics we must take a look at where it all started.

In the very beginning before dogs were a thought, we had wolves and a now distinct ancient canid. Wolves, and this canid, offered the most basic of genetics and they were the foundation for all dogs we have today.

As we created more and more breeds, more mutations arose. So, what is their genetic makeup?

Let’s take a look at each locus starting with the agouti locus, or A locus. This locus is responsible for the banding on the strands of fur.Often in a pattern of double or triple bands, alternating between eumelanin (black) and pheomelanin (red).

The base color of this locus is agouti (aw). You will notice this coat color is very wild like in appearance and there is a good reason for that! This is the color that is generally expressed in wolves. When we get ‘aw‘ results we must understand that there were no actual mutations found. Now, when I say no mutations were found, we are talking about markers for alleles, or variants, that the company that you’re testing through tests for. These may vary depending on the company.

Moving on to the extension locus, or E locus. This locus is responsible for the distribution of eumelanin (black) on the fur as well as the absence of eumelanin (black) on the fur. Again, when we get ‘E’ results this means that none of the testable variants were found.

Now for the K locus. This locus is responsible for allowing eumelanin (black) to ‘overwrite’ the A locus. Within this locus, ‘ky’ is the result given when no other testable mutations were found.

And last but not least, dilute and brown locus, or D and B locus. These both are responsible for diluting the eumelanin (black) fur, nose, eye rims and paw pads. Both uppercase B & D are default results, meaning no alleles were found.

So what happens when you get a dog with no testable variants?

You get a wolf or wild looking dog.
Pretty cool right?

When looking at genetic coat color results, we might be able to catch when science has more evolving to do. Not all alleles are testable as of today and mutations happen. Try to be cautious of when you get a default result. It may be that science doesn’t yet test for the specific mutation your dog is carrying.