Seal Color Dog Genetics
The Genetics of Dog Coat Colors Dog coat colors are determined by genetics, and the production of melanin is controlled by multiple genes. The genetics of dog coat colors can be complex, but it's essential to understand the basics to appreciate the unique characteristics of seal color. Seal causes a more or less pronounced golden, red or brown sheen on a black coat.
This is often accompanied by a darker dorsal stripe and darker coloration on the lower legs, tail and face. Seal and ghost tan seem to be caused by incomplete dominant black that can't fully mask a dog's A. Seal dogs are born brownish whereas bronzing develops with age, and remember that a black seal will always have a black nose regardless of how light and brownish its coat is.
The Genetics of Seal Brindle in the Cane Corso … Maybe Probably ...
No genetic research has so far been conducted into seal, so it is unknown how it is caused or which locus is responsible for it. As coat color/patterns go, "seal" seems to be a mystery. It makes some black dogs appear brown, and some dogs look liver colored (until closer examination reveals a black line down the back, and on the dog's legs and tail).
Seal appears only in a handful of breeds, and to our knowledge, little genetic research has been conducted []. Oftentimes, the seal color is not readily apparent, especially indoors - until the seal dog is placed next to a true black dog. Then, the difference between the two blacks will become glaringly obvious, just like the Boxer puppies in the above photo.
Dog Color & Genetics – 13 Royal Bloodlines
Predicting the coat colors of dogs is can be tricky, and genetics can be hard to understand so we've tried to break it down here for you! Start Predicting Your Puppy's Color Now Ready to explore the world of dog color genetics? Try our Dog Color Genetics Calculator today and gain powerful insights into your pup's coat color inheritance. Whether you're managing breeding outcomes or satisfying your curiosity, this tool makes genetic prediction simple, fast, and accurate. Seal colored dogs are also black pointed.
Wherever the color goes to a point on the dog, then it should be going black - the tips of the ears, the end of the tail, the feet and the nose. This is definitely seal but unfortunately the exact genetic mechanism behind it hasn't been discovered. It's theorized that there's some gene somewhere (or an undiscovered allele of an already known gene) that down-regulates the K locus's dominant black, allowing some of the A locus's pheomelanin color (sable in your dog's case) to leak through.
Dog Color & Genetics – 13 Royal Bloodlines
The agouti gene overrides the brindle gene on the dogs body coat & makes it look solid color, except for any area where the dog is tan pointed or white. The K gene is confusingly called Dominant Black, because this gene shows as brindle, and black (seal).
