Feeling Blue?

Did you know Doberman come in shades of blues, ranging from a light grey to deep steel? The blue coat color is the recessive form of a black coat. The blue coat is often criticized and dismissed due to the prevalence of Coat Dilution Alopecia (CDA), a form of permanent hair loss. There is no genetic testing available to identify which dilutes will develop CDA. CDA is not well understood but it is believed to be caused by damage done to the follicle by clumps of melanin. Blues are not a rare coat color. It is simply genetics that make the coat "dilute" to blue. Blues and fawns make up between 12-15% of the whole Doberman population. The Doberman Pinscher Club of America accepts the blue coat as one of the four standard colors. A blue Doberman is a true Doberman. There have been many blues to finish their champion titles as well as to compete and title in a variety of other avenues. While they are prone to CDA a blue Doberman is an important and valuable part of the breed. They can provide diversity and excellent genetics to the breed and it's future.