Dog Health: Coat Color Standards236

A dog's coat color is more than just a cosmetic feature. It can also provide clues about the dog's health. For example, some coat colors are associated with certain health conditions, such as white coats with skin allergies and blue coats with dilution alopecia. In addition, a dog's coat color can be affected by its diet, environment, and genetics.

The following is a guide to the standard coat colors for dogs. This guide can help you identify any changes in your dog's coat color that may indicate a health problem.

Black

Black is a dominant coat color in dogs. It is caused by the presence of the black pigment eumelanin. Black dogs have a solid black coat, with no other colors or markings. Black coats are common in many breeds, including the Labrador Retriever, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, and German Shepherd.

Brown

Brown is another common coat color in dogs. It is caused by the presence of the brown pigment pheomelanin. Brown dogs have a solid brown coat, with no other colors or markings. Brown coats are common in many breeds, including the Golden Retriever, Chocolate Labrador Retriever, and Weimaraner.

Red

Red is a recessive coat color in dogs. It is caused by the presence of the red pigment pheomelanin. Red dogs have a solid red coat, with no other colors or markings. Red coats are common in many breeds, including the Irish Setter, Redbone Coonhound, and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.

Yellow

Yellow is a recessive coat color in dogs. It is caused by the presence of the yellow pigment pheomelanin. Yellow dogs have a solid yellow coat, with no other colors or markings. Yellow coats are common in many breeds, including the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, and Yellow Labrador Retriever.

Blue

Blue is a rare coat color in dogs. It is caused by a dilution of the black pigment eumelanin. Blue dogs have a solid blue coat, with no other colors or markings. Blue coats are common in only a few breeds, including the Blue Merle Collie, Blue Heeler, and Blue Pit Bull.

White

White is a recessive coat color in dogs. It is caused by the absence of any pigment. White dogs have a solid white coat, with no other colors or markings. White coats are common in many breeds, including the Bichon Frise, Maltese, and West Highland White Terrier.

Brindle

Brindle is a coat pattern that is characterized by a mix of black and brown stripes. Brindle dogs have a mixture of black and brown hairs, with no solid areas of either color. Brindle coats are common in many breeds, including the Boxer, Bulldog, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Harlequin

Harlequin is a coat pattern that is characterized by large, irregular patches of black and white. Harlequin dogs have a mixture of black and white hairs, with no solid areas of either color. Harlequin coats are common in only a few breeds, including the Great Dane and the Harlequin Great Dane.

Merle

Merle is a coat pattern that is characterized by a mixture of solid and diluted colors. Merle dogs have a mixture of solid and diluted hairs, with no solid areas of either color. Merle coats are common in many breeds, including the Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, and Pomeranian.

Changes in Coat Color

Any changes in your dog's coat color should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Changes in coat color can be a sign of a health problem, such as an infection, allergy, or hormonal imbalance. In addition, some medications can cause changes in coat color.

2025-02-18

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