The Basics of Color

At each locus, a dog carries two genes, one from its sire and one from the dam. Agouti locus order of dominance: Sable, Black & Tan, Bi-Color, then Black.

These genotypes (gene-pairs) produce these phenotypes (exhibited traits)...
     - a Sable gene (aw) + another gene = a Sable dog
     - a Black & Tan gene (as) + a Bi-Color gene (at) = a Black&Tan dog
     - a Black gene (a) + any other gene = a dog of the other color

A dog of this color (phenotype) can have these genes (genotype)...

Sable (aw)	Black & Tan (as)	Bi-Color (at)	Black (a)
aw + aw	as + as	at + at	a + a
aw + as	as + at	at + a	-
aw + a	as + a	-	-
aw + a	-	-	-

The Color Matrix

The table below is designed to illustrate the relative probability of color pattern in a litter when the two genotypes are mated. The offspring genotype is in text, phenotype is color-highlited. White text signifies homogenous (same) genes. Bracketed genotypes indicate a surfaced recessive phenotype in the offspring, different from those exhibited by it's parents.



Click here to download the PDF version of the Color Matrix above

Daryl - Ehret German Shepherds