Dilute Doberman
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The DPCA accepts 4 colors as standard: black, blue, red and fawn. Black and red coats are traditionally the "image" of the Doberman. The dilutes, fawns and blues, had been shunned for many years as inferior and lesser dogs due to misconceptions that they were less healthy. Thankfully, science has proven they are no less a Doberman in terms of structure and health than their black and red counterparts
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Dilutes are important to the breed's genetic diversity and image. The dilute colors are produced much less often than reds or blacks. A dilute is not necessarily a rare color, more it is about the genetics involved. Fawns make up about 6% of the Doberman population and blues about 12-15% of the total Doberman population, according to the DPCA. The Doberman Diversity Project states dilutes make up only 6-8% of the entire population.
What Makes a Dilute?
The origin of the gene is unknown. Many speculate the Weimaraner may have had some influence in the foundation stock to create the Doberman. Weimaraners are solely dilute blues. All carry dd. The dilution gene responsible for the blue coat may or may not have come from the Weimaraner. Other breeds such as the German Pinscher and the Manchester Terrier carry dilute and were definitively used in the formation of the Doberman.
There are several genes responsible for coat color, length, patterns and variations. For Doberman right now all you need to know is there is a B lotus and a D lotus. All dogs are born either black or red genetically speaking, via the B lotus. A "B" is needed to make a dog black. Two "b"s are needed for a dog to be red. To make a dilute coat is a bit complex. The D Lotus is responsible for turning a black coat to blue and a red coat to fawn, so long as the right genetics line up. To produce a dilute both parents must carry at least one "d" on the D Lotus. A Dd is a dilute carrier and will either be black or red. A dd is a dilute and will turn the coat of a red dog to a fawn and of a back dog to a blue.
A BbDD is a black dog who carries red but not for dilute and can not produce dilutes. A BBdd is the dilute of black and is a blue coat. A bbDd is a red dog who does not carry for dilute and can not produce dilutes. A bbdd is a dilute of red and is a fawn coat. A BBDd is a black dog that carries for dilute and can, bred to the right dog, produce dilutes. A bbDd is a red dog that carries dilute and can, bred to the right dog, produce dilutes. You can breed a black dog to a red dog and get a rainbow litter; a rainbow litter is the term for a litter of all colors: black, red, blue and fawn. Only dilutes and dilute carriers can produce dilutes. If a dilute or dilute carrier is bred to a dog without a "d" you will only get blacks and/or reds.
The origin of the gene is unknown. Many speculate the Weimaraner may have had some influence in the foundation stock to create the Doberman. Weimaraners are solely dilute blues. All carry dd. The dilution gene responsible for the blue coat may or may not have come from the Weimaraner. Other breeds such as the German Pinscher and the Manchester Terrier carry dilute and were definitively used in the formation of the Doberman.
There are several genes responsible for coat color, length, patterns and variations. For Doberman right now all you need to know is there is a B lotus and a D lotus. All dogs are born either black or red genetically speaking, via the B lotus. A "B" is needed to make a dog black. Two "b"s are needed for a dog to be red. To make a dilute coat is a bit complex. The D Lotus is responsible for turning a black coat to blue and a red coat to fawn, so long as the right genetics line up. To produce a dilute both parents must carry at least one "d" on the D Lotus. A Dd is a dilute carrier and will either be black or red. A dd is a dilute and will turn the coat of a red dog to a fawn and of a back dog to a blue.
A BbDD is a black dog who carries red but not for dilute and can not produce dilutes. A BBdd is the dilute of black and is a blue coat. A bbDd is a red dog who does not carry for dilute and can not produce dilutes. A bbdd is a dilute of red and is a fawn coat. A BBDd is a black dog that carries for dilute and can, bred to the right dog, produce dilutes. A bbDd is a red dog that carries dilute and can, bred to the right dog, produce dilutes. You can breed a black dog to a red dog and get a rainbow litter; a rainbow litter is the term for a litter of all colors: black, red, blue and fawn. Only dilutes and dilute carriers can produce dilutes. If a dilute or dilute carrier is bred to a dog without a "d" you will only get blacks and/or reds.
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Examples of breeding pairings that will produce dilutes:
Examples of a few breeding pairings that won't produce dilutes:
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Genetics Snippet
In short a "B" means a dog will be black or blue. A "Bb" means the dog is black and carries the ability to make red puppies (carries for recessive red). A "BB" means a dog is dominant black and does not carry recessive red.. A "bb" means a dog will be red or fawn. A "DD" means a dog does not carry dilute and can never produce dilutes. A "Dd" means a dog carriers dilute. A "dd" means a dog is dilute.
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If a dilute or a dilute carrier has the genetic testing results, the conformation, the temperament and the overall health to benefit a breeding program and to help preserve the breed it shouldn't be excluded from being bred. These dogs have valuable potential to the gene pool and to the breed's future. If the DPCA accepts them as standard so should all responsible breeders. Good dogs are everywhere!
A Worthy Champion
Today's show world is slowly coming around to accepting dilutes. Many, many dilutes have won titles. They are a strong presence in the breed, though comprising only <20% of the whole population.
"The rarity of seeing these colors in the ring is due in part to the difficulties in keeping them in good coat. Barbara Russell, who sort of specialized in dilutes, specifically blues, had blue Dobermans that generally had good coats she states that was that even with good blue coats she had problems and keeping blues in show condition as far as coats went was a full time job.
There are definitely some judges who aren’t fond of the dilutes and a few that wouldn’t put one up under any circumstances. In the ’60s it was harder for reds to win than blacks…I think that is about where the dilute situation in the ring is now…it’s harder to win with a dilute but not impossible if the dog is a good specimen of a Doberman."
Today's show world is slowly coming around to accepting dilutes. Many, many dilutes have won titles. They are a strong presence in the breed, though comprising only <20% of the whole population.
"The rarity of seeing these colors in the ring is due in part to the difficulties in keeping them in good coat. Barbara Russell, who sort of specialized in dilutes, specifically blues, had blue Dobermans that generally had good coats she states that was that even with good blue coats she had problems and keeping blues in show condition as far as coats went was a full time job.
There are definitely some judges who aren’t fond of the dilutes and a few that wouldn’t put one up under any circumstances. In the ’60s it was harder for reds to win than blacks…I think that is about where the dilute situation in the ring is now…it’s harder to win with a dilute but not impossible if the dog is a good specimen of a Doberman."
NOTE: All pictures of dilute champions; I do not own. They are for reference only.
Coat Dilution Alopecia "Blue Doberman Syndrome"
The largest issue that dilutes can have is a form of permanent hair loss called Coat Dilution Alopecia (aka CDA, and sometimes called The Blue Doberman Syndrome). The Doberman Diversity Project is currently studying the cause of CDA, besides it's D lotus connection (https://www.dobermandiversityproject.org/report-cda-status.html). CDA is a hereditary condition found in many breeds, but seems to plague the blue Doberman more so. Studies are limited, but a few studies have been done on the subject: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-3164.1990.tb00089.x, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24422037_Color_dilution_alopecia_in_a_blue_Doberman_pinscher_crossbreed, https://dpca.org/breeded/color-dilution-alopecia/.
The largest issue that dilutes can have is a form of permanent hair loss called Coat Dilution Alopecia (aka CDA, and sometimes called The Blue Doberman Syndrome). The Doberman Diversity Project is currently studying the cause of CDA, besides it's D lotus connection (https://www.dobermandiversityproject.org/report-cda-status.html). CDA is a hereditary condition found in many breeds, but seems to plague the blue Doberman more so. Studies are limited, but a few studies have been done on the subject: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-3164.1990.tb00089.x, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24422037_Color_dilution_alopecia_in_a_blue_Doberman_pinscher_crossbreed, https://dpca.org/breeded/color-dilution-alopecia/.
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CDA is a concern, as nearly 90% of blues and 75% of fawns go on to develop it. Only blues and fawns develop can CDA. Reds and blacks can develop alopecia as well, but due to other mechanisms at play. Not every dilute will develop CDA. CDA often comes on gradually over the dog's lifetime. The hair may thin over the whole body or be limited to certain areas, like the back and sides. Interestingly, only the fawn or blue hairs will thin/fall out and the tan pointing will remain intact.
Though unsightly, CDA is benign, causing no further risk to health. The condition can easily be managed with vests or jackets when the weather is cold and with dog-specific sunscreen. The dogs adjust well and seem unbothered by their hair loss. Some dogs are more prone to develop staph infections so good grooming is essential. (Though, the breed in general is prone to staph infections.) Some may have more flaky and dry skin. Supplementing with biotin, fish oil, omegas and zinc can help maintain a healthy coat and moist skin. Lotion may be beneficial as well. |
https://dogdiscoveries.com/dog-hackles/
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| dilute_doberman.pdf |
Educational Links:
https://pethelpful.com/dogs/Health-Problems-in-Blue-Dobermans
https://www.animalgenetics.us/canine/canine-color/DLocus.asp
https://www.animaldermatology.com/newsletter/429/Derm-Digest-august-2010
https://bmcgenet.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2156-6-34
https://bmcgenet.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2156-6-34/figures/4
https://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-09352017000601503
https://pethelpful.com/dogs/Health-Problems-in-Blue-Dobermans
https://www.animalgenetics.us/canine/canine-color/DLocus.asp
https://www.animaldermatology.com/newsletter/429/Derm-Digest-august-2010
https://bmcgenet.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2156-6-34
https://bmcgenet.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2156-6-34/figures/4
https://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-09352017000601503