This is the Tri-Del ABCs of Miniature Pinscher Coat Color Inheritance

This is the Tri-Del ABCs of Miniature Pinscher Coat Color Inheritance. I’ll start by saying I am not a geneticist, at least I do not have a college degree in genetics. I HAVE studied genetics with much interest on and off since about 1995 or so. I have accumulated some knowledge on the subject because of my interest & curiosity. I’m a work in progress, so as I learn more, the more I can share.

Much of my understanding of coat color genetics comes from the book “The Inheritance of Coat Colors in Dogs”, by Clarence Cook Little. The book is out of print, I believe the last printing was in 1979. So be prepared to pay “rare book” prices, but the book is OH SO worth adding to your library if you want to become educated about color genetics and take a lot of the fear and guessing out of breeding recessives. At the time I am writing this there is also is a great website for learning about the Loci & what they do to affect the coat color http://www.tenset.co.uk/doggen/indexus.html.

Genes are in pairs BB (dominant), Bb (dominant carrying a recessive) or bb (recessive) ... like that. Each letter represents a Locus. All Loci control some sort of 'shadings' or 'patternings'. Upper case letters represent Dominant genes. Lower case letters represent recessive genes. B (not chocolate) is dominant over the recessive b (chocolate).

Color genetics is literally a flip of a coin. Each parent contributes 1 copy to the offspring. Which gene the offspring gets from the parent? … is all fate. The puppies get what they get, we don't have much control over it. Understanding them helps us move the odds into our favor. With knowledge, we’re “counting cards” so to speak.

The “A” Locus (Agouti Yellow locus)

The A locus consists of the alleles:

A_s = dominant Black (dominant SOLID Black doesn’t apply to MinPins, but it is now suspected that the A_s is a locus all of its own, K Locus),

A_y = Sable (MinPinners call this Stag Red) tan/red with varying degrees of intermingling black hairs; Collies, MinPins, German Shepherds,

a_w= Wolf Grey same coloration as Sable except the Red/Tan is replaced with a cream/grey; Keeshonden, Norwegian Elkhounds, Siberian Huskies,

a_s= Saddle Tan a tan/red dog with a blanket or saddle mark on the back and sides; Airedale, Beagle,

a_t = Black & Tan (MinPinners call this Black & Rust) a black dog with typical “Doberman” patterning,

and,

a = recessive Black

In MinPins this A locus produces the “black & rust patterning”. A black & rust MinPin is "a_t a_t", this is seen on our Black, Chocolate, Blue & Fawn MinPins. It is the exact same genetic code that produces the Doberman’s coloration (Doberman’s call their chocolate/rust coloration red & rust – which red & rust is actually inaccurate terminology).

It is my hypothesis that the double rosettes and expanding tan mis-marks on our Black & Rust MinPins is caused by a_t a_t mutating towards a_s a_s of the saddle marked dogs. Each allele (mutation) is only a slight variation of another allele, it only makes sense to say that there are slight mutations residing within and between the documented mutations must be possible.

It is my hypothesis that the thumb print and extension mis-marks on our Black & Rust MinPins is caused by a_t a_t mutating towards a a of the recessive black. After all each discerned allele is only a slight mutation of another easily discernable allele.

In MinPins the A locus produces the “stag red patterning” (called “Sable” by most other breeds). Stag Red and Mahogany Red (dark Reds with black toenails) are A_ya_t. Both colors are created by the varying degrees of Black hairs; from profuse in the heavy Stag down, through the moderately stagged necks down to the practically non-existent Black hairs of the Mahogany Red. There are studies that say that Clear Reds are A_yA_y. I do not understand how clear red is produced from an A_yA_ywhich in my mathematics should be Red dominant and appear Sabled or Stagged … must be that “new math”. LOL If anyone ever feels they can explain this to me, I will be happy to listen. Currently, I think our Clear Red MinPin (Red with Red toenails) is actually influenced by the E locus; ee.

How else can you explain getting a Red puppy out of 2 Black & Rust parents? If the parents are both a_t a_t, it is NOT possible to produce an A_y offspring. So the ee MUST be influencing our MinPins as well. And how can you explain getting a Black & Rust puppy out of two Clear Red dogs if both parents are A_yA_y then it is NOT possible to produce an a_t offspring.

Many MinPinners believe that by adding Black & Rust to their breeding program it will darken the pigment on their Reds … this is not necessarily so. There are Black & Rust dogs that only produce Clear Reds with yellow toe nails. This is why I think our clear Red MinPins are produced by the ee in the E locus. It is the Stag Red MinPin that produces the dark pigmented skin & dark toe nails.

The “B” Locus (Liver or Chocolate locus)

The B locus produces the Chocolate shading to the skin and hair pigment.

B = normal dark pigmentation, normal dark eye

b = reduces black to appear chocolate brown, affects the coat, eye rims & nose … and lightens the eye iris color.

In MinPins the B locus replaces the black pigment of our Black & Rust MinPins with a Chocolate & Rust coloration.

In MinPins the B locus also produces red-nosed Reds and Chocolate Stag Reds. The recessive liver gene causes the black pigment of a normal Red or Stag Red’s to be displayed as chocolate brown. The stagged/sabled hairs, eye rims, lips & nose will appear chocolate on the Red background.

The “C” Locus (Chinchilla locus)

The C locus produces the degrees of Albinism.

C = normal dark pigmentation.

c_ch = chinchilla … turns black & tan to black & silver.

c_e = extreme dilution … produces white hair while allowing a dark nose and eye pigment; White Poodles, Samoyed

c_b = blue-eyed albino. Very small amount of residual pigment varying shades of eggshell to true white coat & pale icy-white-blue eyes; White Dobermans

c_a = platinum or silver (cats).

c = pink-eyed albino true albino … NOT really seen in dogs for some reason.

MinPins are not known to be affected by the C mutations.

The “D” Locus (Blue Dilution locus)

The D locus produces the Blue shading to the skin and hair pigment.

D = normal dark pigmentation, normal dark eye

d = diluted blue-gray coat, eye rims & nose … and lightens the eye iris color.

In MinPins the d locus replaces the black pigment of our Black & Rust MinPins with a Blue & Rust coloration.

In MinPins the d locus also produces blue-nosed Reds and Blue Stag Reds. The recessive dilution gene causes the black pigment of a normal Red or Stag Red’s to be displayed as blue gray. The stagged/sabled hairs, eye rims, lips & nose will all appear blue on the Red background.

The “E” Locus (Extension locus)

The E locus produces clear tan/fawn/red (masks and brindling?)

E_m = black mask (masks do not apply to MinPins, but it is now suspected that the E_m = is its own separate locus, Se Locus)

E = normal pigmentation – not masked, no brindled, not red,

E_br = brindle (brindle doesn’t apply to MinPins, but it is now suspected that the E_br = is part of the dominant black locus, K Locus)

e = recessive Red – Clear Red different from the A_y of the Stag Red.

Depending on what books you read and who you ask, this ee is what causes the Clear Red MinPin with red/yellow nails. I’m not prepared to argue the Clear Red MinPin genetics because I haven’t been convinced by either side … although the ee Clear Red makes more mathematical sense to me. Again I point to how can one explain getting a Red puppy out of 2 Black & Rust parents? If the parents are both a_t a_t, it is NOT possible to produce an A_y offspring, therefore the recessive Red ee MUST be influencing our MinPins as well.

The “G” Locus (Graying locus)

The G locus produces dark newborns to become pale adults.

G = causes dark almost black puppies at birth to fade into a silver adult

g = normal pigmentation

MinPins are not known to be affected by the G mutation.

The “K” Locus (Dominant Black locus)

The K locus produces dominant blacks and brindling.

K = dominant black

k_br = brindle

k = normal pigmentation

MinPins are not known to be affected by the K mutation.

The “M” Locus (Merle locus)

The M locus produces the merling effect.

M = marbled patchy dilution, a gray dog with patches and swirls of black or sable diluting to sable merle. Affects eye color. Known as a fatal gene, puppies that are born MM may not survive or may have serious health “issues”. For this reason Mm Merles are not bred with other Mm Merles for fear of producing MM Merles. Mm Merles are bred to mm non-Merles to produce ½ litter of Mm Merles and ½ litter of mm non-Merles.

m = not Merle

At one point there were Merle MinPins, they were (incorrectly) called Harlequin Pinschers. There are a handful of Harlequin MinPins found in the AKC’s Miniature Pinscher stud book, back in the 1940s/50s. The last Harlequin produced a litter about 1964. None of that Harlequin’s offspring were bred. The Harlequin Pinscher was misunderstood, because of the lethal qualities of the Merle gene. Had the Harlequin Pinscher survived, it would have likely enjoyed the popularity that the Dapple Dachshund, Australian Shepherd, Merle Collies, Corgis enjoy today … with today’s understanding of genetics.

I think it is unfortunate, but the Harlequin Miniature Pinscher is now almost certainly extinct. The likelihood of a TRUE pure-bred Harlequin MinPin being born today are slim and none. You have a better chance of winning the power ball than to ever see a REAL Harlequin Pinscher again after a 50 year (25 +/- generations) of absence from the blood lines. The Harlequin MinPins that are offered for sale by puppy-factories on the internet are not Merle at all, they are mostly white coated puppies with black spots (marked like a Toy Fox Terrier), therefore one can only deduce that the puppies being offered are mixed breed puppies, MinPin/TFT mixes, MinPin/Chihuahua mixes, etc.

For all intents and purposes MinPins are no longer known to be affected by the M mutation.

The “S” Locus (Spotted or Pied locus)

The S locus produces degrees of white and color combinations.

S = normal solid coloration (can have slight white on chest, white frosting on toes)

s_i = irish spotting causes white blazed faces, white collars, white feet, white tail tips, but the white does NOT cross the back; Mantled Great Danes, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Beagles

s_p = pied or piebald causes more extensive white often covering part or all of the back; Toy Fox Terrier

s_w = is an almost solid white dog with spots of color (spots larger than ticking); Dalmation

This is a complicated gene, and is affected by other genes, as when Merle is also present it is responsible for producing true Harlequin as in Harlequin Great Danes.

MinPins are not known to be affected by the S mutation.

The “Se” Locus (Super Extention locus)

The Se locus produces black masks.

Se = Black mask, also described as E_m and Ma; Mastiff, Pug

se = normal coloration, does not exhibit black mask

MinPins are not known to be affected by the Se mutation.

The “T” Locus (Ticked locus)

The T locus produces ticking.

T = causes flecks of color throughout an otherwise white coat; English Setter

t = normal coloration non-ticking

MinPins are not known to be affected by the T mutation.

Essentially the 4 Loci that comprise the Miniature Pinschers Coat Color Primer are:

Agouti Yellow – A Locus

Liver/Chocolate – B Locus

Blue Dilution – D Locus

Extention/Recessive Red – E Locus.

A Red, Stag Red or Black & Rust dog can produce any of the recessive colors if it carries them. You will notice in the genes of the dog, the fur exhibits the color of the upper case (dominant) gene. If both are lower case, ONLY then is the recessive color seen on a puppy.

BLACK & Rust MinPin genetics

a_t a_t BB DD EE is a Black & Rust dog that does NOT carry/produce Blue, Chocolate or Clear Recessive Red

a_t a_t BB DD Ee is a Black & Rust dog that does NOT carry/produce Blue, Chocolate but DOES carry Clear Recessive Red

a_ta_t BB Dd EE is a Black & Rust dog that DOES carry/produce Blue but does NOT carry/produce Chocolate or Clear Recessive Red

a_t a_t BB DD Ee is a Black & Rust dog that does NOT carry/produce Blue, Chocolate but DOES carry Clear Recessive Red

a_ta_t Bb DD EE is a Black & Rust dog that does NOT carry/produce Blue or Clear Recessive Red but DOES carry/produce Chocolate

a_ta_t Bb DD Ee is a Black & Rust dog that does NOT carry/produce Blue but DOES carry/produce Chocolate and Clear Recessive Red

a_ta_t Bb Dd EE is a Black & Rust dog that DOES carry/produce Blue and Chocolate but not Clear Recessive Red

a_ta_t Bb Dd Ee is a Black & Rust dog that DOES carry/produce Blue, Chocolate and Clear Recessive Red.

Chocolate & Rust MinPin genetics

a_ta_t bb DD EE is a Chocolate & Rust dog that does NOT carry/produce Blue or Clear Recessive Red

a_ta_t bb DD Ee is a Chocolate & Rust dog that does NOT carry/produce Blue, but DOES carry Clear Recessive Red

a_ta_t bb Dd EE is a Chocolate & Rust dog that DOES carry/produce Blue, but NOT Clear Recessive Red

a_ta_t bb Dd Ee is a Chocolate & Rust dog that DOES carry/produce Blue and Clear Recessive Red

BLUE & Rust MinPin genetics

a_ta_tBB dd EE is a Blue & Rust dog that does NOT carry/produce Chocolate or Clear Recessive Red

a_ta_tBB dd Ee is a Blue & Rust dog that does NOT carry/produce Chocolate but DOES carry Clear Recessive Red

a_ta_t Bb dd EE is a Blue & Rust dog that DOES carry/produce Chocolate but does NOT carry Clear Recessive Red

a_ta_t Bb dd ee is a Blue & Rust dog that DOES carry/produce Chocolate and Clear Recessive Red

Fawn & Rust MinPin genetics

a_ta_tbb dd EE is a Fawn & Rust dog that carries/produces Blue and Chocolate, but NOT Clear Recessive Red

a_ta_tbb dd ee is a Fawn & Rust dog that carries/produces Blue, Chocolate and Clear Recessive Red

OK, now hold on to your seat! When you add in Red & Stag Red, this is where the genetics gets harder to follow.

Clear Red, Mahogany Red & Stag Red MinPin genetics

A_yA_y BB DD EE is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, Blue, Chocolate or Clear Recessive Red

A_ya_t BB DD EE is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Blue, Chocolate or Clear Recessive Red, but DOES carry Black & Rust

A_yA_y BB DD Ee is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, Blue, Chocolate, but DOES carry Clear Recessive Red

A_ya_t BB DD Ee is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Blue, Chocolate but DOES carry Black & Rust and Clear Recessive Red

A_ya_t BB DD ee is a Clear Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Blue, Chocolate but DOES carry Stag Red/Mahogany Red

A_yA_y BB DD ee is a Clear Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, Blue, Chocolate, but DOES carry Clear Recessive Red

a_ta_t BB DD ee is a Clear Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Blue, Chocolate or Stag Red/Mahogany Red but DOES produce Black & Rust

A_yA_y Bb DD EE is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, Blue or Clear Recessive Red but DOES carry Chocolate

A_ya_t Bb DD EE is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Blue or Clear Recessive Red, but DOES carry Black & Rust and Chocolate

A_yA_y Bb DD Ee is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, Blue, but DOES carry Clear Recessive Red and Chocolate

A_ya_t Bb DD Ee is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Blue, but DOES carry Black & Rust, Chocolate and Clear Recessive Red

A_ya_t Bb DD ee is a Clear Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Blue, but DOES carry Chocolate and Stag Red/Mahogany Red

A_yA_y Bb DD ee is a Clear Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, Blue, but DOES carry Chocolate and Clear Recessive Red

a_ta_t Bb DD ee is a Clear Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Blue, Stag Red/Mahogany Red but DOES produce Black & Rust & Chocolate

A_yA_y BB Dd EE is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, Chocolate or Clear Recessive Red but DOES carry Blue

A_ya_t BB Dd EE is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Chocolate or Clear Recessive Red, but DOES carry Black & Rust and Blue

A_yA_y BB Dd Ee is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, Chocolate, but DOES carry Clear Recessive Red and Blue

A_ya_t BB Dd Ee is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Chocolate, but DOES carry Black & Rust, Blue and Clear Recessive Red

A_ya_t BB Dd ee is a Clear Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Chocolate, but DOES carry Blue and Stag Red/Mahogany Red

A_yA_y BB Dd ee is a Clear Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, Chocolate, but DOES carry Blue and Clear Recessive Red

a_ta_t BB Dd ee is a Clear Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Chocolate, Stag Red/Mahogany Red but DOES produce Black & Rust & Blue

A_yA_y Bb Dd EE is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, Chocolate or Clear Recessive Red but DOES carry Blue

A_ya_t BB Dd EE is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Chocolate or Clear Recessive Red, but DOES carry Black & Rust and Blue

A_yA_y BB Dd Ee is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, Chocolate, but DOES carry Clear Recessive Red and Blue

A_ya_t BB Dd Ee is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Chocolate, but DOES carry Black & Rust, Blue and Clear Recessive Red

A_ya_t BB Dd ee is a Clear Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Chocolate, but DOES carry Blue and Stag Red/Mahogany Red

A_yA_y BB Dd ee is a Clear Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, Chocolate, but DOES carry Blue and Clear Recessive Red

a_ta_t BB Dd ee is a Clear Red dog that does NOT carry/produce Chocolate, Stag Red/Mahogany Red but DOES produce Black & Rust & Blue

Chocolate nose Clear Red, Mahogany Red & Stag Red (red-nosed Red) MinPin genetics

A_yA_y bb DD EE is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog with a chocolate nose that is essentially a chocolate dog hidden under a red coat and does produce chocolates does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, Blue or Clear Recessive Red

A_ya_t bb DD EE is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog with a chocolate nose that is essentially a chocolate dog hidden under a red coat and does produce chocolates does NOT carry/produce Blue or Clear Recessive Red, but DOES carry Black & Rust

A_yA_y bb DD Ee is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog with a chocolate nose that is essentially a chocolate dog hidden under a red coat and does produce chocolates does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, Blue but DOES carry Clear Recessive Red

A_ya_t bb DD Ee is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog with a chocolate nose that is essentially a chocolate dog hidden under a red coat and does produce chocolates does NOT carry/produce Blue but DOES carry Black & Rust and Clear Recessive Red

A_ya_t bb DD ee is a Clear Red dog with a chocolate nose that is essentially a chocolate dog hidden under a red coat and does produce chocolates does NOT carry/produce Blue but DOES carry Stag Red/Mahogany Red

A_yA_y bb DD ee is a Clear Red dog with a chocolate nose that is essentially a chocolate dog hidden under a red coat and does produce chocolates does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, Blue, but DOES carry Clear Recessive Red

a_ta_t bb DD ee is a Clear Red dog with a chocolate nose that is essentially a chocolate dog hidden under a red coat and does produce chocolates does NOT carry/produce Blue or Stag Red/Mahogany Red but DOES produce Black & Rust

A_yA_y bb Dd EE is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog with a chocolate nose that is essentially a chocolate dog hidden under a red coat and does produce chocolates does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust or Clear Recessive Red but DOES carry Blue

A_ya_t bb Dd EE is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog with a chocolate nose that is essentially a chocolate dog hidden under a red coat and does produce chocolates does NOT carry/produce Clear Recessive Red, but DOES carry Black & Rust and Blue

A_yA_y bb Dd Ee is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog with a chocolate nose that is essentially a chocolate dog hidden under a red coat and does produce chocolates does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, but DOES carry Clear Recessive Red and Blue

A_ya_t bb Dd Ee is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog with a chocolate nose that is essentially a chocolate dog hidden under a red coat and does produce chocolates and DOES Black & Rust, Blue and Clear Recessive Red

A_ya_t bb Dd ee is a Clear Red dog with a chocolate nose that is essentially a chocolate dog hidden under a red coat and does produce chocolates and DOES carry Blue and Stag Red/Mahogany Red

A_yA_y bb Dd ee is a Clear Red dog with a chocolate nose that is essentially a chocolate dog hidden under a red coat and does produce chocolates does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, but DOES carry Blue and Clear Recessive Red

a_ta_t bb Dd ee is a Clear Red dog with a chocolate nose that is essentially a chocolate dog hidden under a red coat and does produce chocolates does NOT carry/produce Stag Red/Mahogany Red but DOES produce Black & Rust and Blue

Blue nose Clear Red, Mahogany Red & Stag Red (Blue-nosed Red) MinPin genetics

A_yA_y BB dd EE is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog with a blue nose that is essentially a blue dog hidden under a red coat and does produce blues does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, Chocolate or Clear Recessive Red

A_ya_t BB dd EE is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog with a blue nose that is essentially a blue dog hidden under a red coat and does produce blues does NOT carry/produce Chocolate or Clear Recessive Red, but DOES carry Black & Rust

A_yA_y BB dd Ee is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog with a blue nose that is essentially a blue dog hidden under a red coat and does produce blues does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, Chocolate but DOES carry Clear Recessive Red

A_ya_t BB dd Ee is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog with a blue nose that is essentially a blue dog hidden under a red coat and does produce blues does NOT carry/produce Chocolate but DOES carry Black & Rust and Clear Recessive Red

A_ya_t BB dd ee is a Clear Red dog with a blue nose that is essentially a blue dog hidden under a red coat and does produce blues does NOT carry/produce Chocolate but DOES carry Stag Red/Mahogany Red

A_yA_y BB dd ee is a Clear Red dog with a blue nose that is essentially a blue dog hidden under a red coat and does produce blues does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, Chocolate, but DOES carry Clear Recessive Red

a_ta_t BB dd ee is a Clear Red dog with a blue nose that is essentially a blue dog hidden under a red coat and does produce blues does NOT carry/produce Chocolate or Stag Red/Mahogany Red but DOES produce Black & Rust

A_yA_y Bb dd EE is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog with a blue nose that is essentially a blue dog hidden under a red coat and does produce blues does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust or Clear Recessive Red but DOES carry Chocolate

A_ya_t Bb dd EE is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog with a blue nose that is essentially a blue dog hidden under a red coat and does produce blues does NOT carry/produce Clear Recessive Red, but DOES carry Black & Rust and Chocolate

A_yA_y Bb dd Ee is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog with a blue nose that is essentially a blue dog hidden under a red coat and does produce blues does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, but DOES carry Clear Recessive Red and Chocolate

A_ya_t Bb dd Ee is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog with a blue nose that is essentially a blue dog hidden under a red coat and does produce blues and DOES Black & Rust, Chocolate and Clear Recessive Red

A_ya_t Bb dd ee is a Clear Red dog with a blue nose that is essentially a blue dog hidden under a red coat and does produce blues and DOES carry Chocolate and Stag Red/Mahogany Red

A_yA_y Bb dd ee is a Clear Red dog with a blue nose that is essentially a blue dog hidden under a red coat and does produce blues does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, but DOES carry Chocolate and Clear Recessive Red

a_ta_t Bb dd ee is a Clear Red dog with a blue nose that is essentially a blue dog hidden under a red coat and does produce blues does NOT carry/produce Stag Red/Mahogany Red but DOES produce Black & Rust and Chocolate

Fawn nose Clear Red, Mahogany Red & Stag Red (Fawn-nosed Red) MinPin genetics

A_yA_y bb dd EE is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog with a fawn nose that is essentially a fawn dog hidden under a red coat does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust or Clear Recessive Red, but DOES carry/produce Blue and Chocolate gene.

A_ya_t bb dd EE is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog with a fawn nose that is essentially a fawn dog hidden under a red coat does NOT carry/produce Clear Recessive Red, but DOES carry Black & Rust, Blue and Chocolate

A_yA_y bb dd Ee is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog with a fawn nose that is essentially a fawn dog hidden under a red coat does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, but DOES carry Clear Recessive Red, Blue and Chocolate

A_ya_t bb dd Ee is a Stag Red or Mahogany Red dog with a fawn nose that is essentially a fawn dog hidden under a red coat and DOES Black & Rust, Blue, Chocolate and Clear Recessive Red

A_ya_t bb dd ee is a Clear Red dog with a fawn nose that is essentially a fawn dog hidden under a red coat and DOES carry Blue, Chocolate and Stag Red/Mahogany Red

A_yA_y bb dd ee is a Clear Red dog with a fawn nose that is essentially a fawn dog hidden under a red coat does NOT carry/produce Black & Rust, but DOES carry Blue, Chocolate and Clear Recessive Red

a_ta_t bb dd ee is a Clear Red dog with a fawn nose that is essentially a fawn dog hidden under a red coat does NOT carry/produce Stag Red/Mahogany Red but DOES produce Black & Rust, Blue and Chocolate

Now we're back to inheriting a pair from the parents.

We'll start with one "most" people understand ... the sexes Boys xy and Girls xx. All males produce x & y chromosomes. If the egg is always x and is fertilized by a sperm is an x, then the offspring will be a xx ... a girl. If the egg is an x and the sperm is a y, then the offspring will be xy ... a boy.

Color genetics work similar to that too. Each parent provides a copy their coat color indicators just like the sex indicators. I'm just gonna use one locus to keep things simple, I'll use the Blue Dilution locus "D". A Black dog that carries Blue is "Dd" and he is bred to a Black bitch that produces Blue "Dd", each parent gives one of their genes to the offspring.

The dog gives his D or his d.

The bitch gives her D or her d.

If the dog gives his D & the bitch gives her D, then the puppy is DD "Black" and does NOT carry the recessive blue gene at all and cannot produce a blue puppy even though both parents could.

If the dog gives his D & the bitch gives her d, then the puppy is Dd "Black" and DOES carry blue.

If the dog gives his d & the bitch gives her D, then the puppy is Dd "Black" and DOES carry blue.

If the dog gives his d & the bitch gives her d, then the puppy is dd "BLUE".

Which gene the puppy gets is a flip of the coin. You can get a litter of all Blue, a litter of all Black or a mix in between. It is a law of averages, like flipping a coin. You'll get "heads" approximately 50% of the time ... but if you flip a coin 5 times you might ACTUALLY get "tails" 5 out of 5 times ... when you should have gotten heads at least twice "law of average". The law of averages doesn't mean you WILL get something, only that it is 50% likely. So even knowing your dog's genetic code does not mean you will always know what the offspring will be.

The only guarantees you get are from recessives, if you breed a Blue dog dd to a Blue bitch dd, you will get 100% Blue offspring. Because the sire & dam only have a d or a d to give to the offspring all of the puppies will be "dd", Blue.

It is complicated to a point, but once you understand the basic rhythm of genetics, the rest falls into place & is pretty easy. The baby gets one copy of the genetic code from each parent. In order for the baby to have the coat color, the parent MUST carry the coat color.

If something is confusing, or you have a particular scenario (2 particular dogs), let me know & we'll hash it out.