Dog Color Feature: Chocolate, Blue, Isabella, Gray

This is a supplement to my Theoretical Dog Genetics guide Theoretical Dog GeneticsAs a kid I remember being confused by the logic of dog genetics presented in cartoons. When two dogs had puppies, the boys looked like the dad and the girls looked like the mom. I can only guess that this lack of originality was an attempt to cash in on the new character's resemblance to an older character that had already won people over, but where's the fun in that? Being the animal nerd that I am, I wanted a realistic guide to prevent such blandness.
How to use
Much of this has not yet been proven in studies with real dogs, so if you want to learn more about a real dog it is useful to research the specific breed or likely breeds that are in the dog's background.
Each locus is a spot which can hold two possible alleles out of any number present in the whole species. All together the alleles (genotype) give the final appearance (phenotype). To decide the appearance of offspring, give each parent a full list of genes to describe their appearance and "breed" them by randomly sele. I am using thumbnails from dA so that artists will get the credit that would be harder to give taking pictures from other online sources. The goal is to educate anyone who is curious, as well as to provide artists with references that will improve the realism of their work.
I am still learning, and guessing the correct color can sometimes be difficult even with an ideal photo or the dog itself to examine. If you spot any mistakes let me know.
If you see your picture here and don't want it to be let me know and I'll take it down.
If you would like to contribute a picture for reference send me a link. Photographs need to be clear, in good lighting, and show enough of the dog to provide a good reference for markings.
I will be going back and adding to this whenever I find new references. My personal goal is to improve the quality of my art and educate myself because I like to know more about the patients I meet at the vet clinic where I work as an RVT.
Other References (to be posted):
K Locus (Dominant Black, Brindle, Agouti) Dog Color Feature: K Locus- Black, Brindle, AgoutiThis is a supplement to my Theoretical Dog Genetics guide . I am using thumbnails from dA so that artists will get the credit that would be harder to give taking pictures from other online sources. The goal is to educate anyone who is curious, as well as to provide artists with references that will improve the realism of their work.
I am still learning, and guessing the correct color can sometimes be difficult even with an ideal photo or the dog itself to examine. If you spot any mistakes let me know.
If you see your picture here and don't want it to be let me know and I'll take it down.
If you would like to contribute a picture for reference send me a link. Photographs need to be clear, in good lighting, and show enough of the dog to provide a good reference for markings.
I will be going back and adding to this whenever I find new references.
Other References:
Chocolate, Blue, Isabella, and Progressive Graying
E Locus (Masks, Grizzle, Recessive red) an
E Locus (Masks, Grizzle, Recessive red) and Somatic Cell Mutation Dog Color Feature: Masks, Grizzle, Recessive RedThis is a supplement to my Theoretical Dog Genetics guide . I am using thumbnails from dA so that artists will get the credit that would be harder to give taking pictures from other online sources. The goal is to educate anyone who is curious, as well as to provide artists with references that will improve the realism of their work.
I am still learning, and guessing the correct color can sometimes be difficult even with an ideal photo or the dog itself to examine. If you spot any mistakes let me know.
If you see your picture here and don't want it to be let me know and I'll take it down.
If you would like to contribute a picture for reference send me a link. Photographs need to be clear, in good lighting, and show enough of the dog to provide a good reference for markings.
I will be going back and adding to this whenever I find new references. My personal goal is to improve the quality of my art and educate myself because I like to know more about the patients I meet at
I Locus (Red, Fawn, Cream, Silver), Urajiro, Albinism and Leucism Dog Color Feature: I Locus (Red), Urajiro, AlbinoThis is a supplement to my Theoretical Dog Genetics guide . I am using thumbnails from dA so that artists will get the credit that would be harder to give taking pictures from other online sources. The goal is to educate anyone who is curious, as well as to provide artists with references that will improve the realism of their work.
I am still learning, and guessing the correct color can sometimes be difficult even with an ideal photo or the dog itself to examine. If you spot any mistakes let me know.
If you see your picture here and don't want it to be let me know and I'll take it down.
If you would like to contribute a picture for reference send me a link. Photographs need to be clear, in good lighting, and show enough of the dog to provide a good reference for markings.
I will be going back and adding to this whenever I find new references. My personal goal is to improve the quality of my art and educate myself because I like to know more about the patients I meet at
Merle Locus Dog Color Feature: Merle LocusThis is a supplement to my Theoretical Dog Genetics guide . I am using thumbnails from dA so that artists will get the credit that would be harder to give taking pictures from other online sources. The goal is to educate anyone who is curious, as well as to provide artists with references that will improve the realism of their work.
I am still learning, and guessing the correct color can sometimes be difficult even with an ideal photo or the dog itself to examine. If you spot any mistakes let me know.
If you see your picture here and don't want it to be let me know and I'll take it down.
If you would like to contribute a picture for reference send me a link. Photographs need to be clear, in good lighting, and show enough of the dog to provide a good reference for markings.
I will be going back and adding to this whenever I find new references. My personal goal is to improve the quality of my art and educate myself because I like to know more about the patients I meet at
Agouti Locus Dog Color Feature: Agouti LocusThis is a supplement to my Theoretical Dog Genetics guide . I am using thumbnails from dA so that artists will get the credit that would be harder to give taking pictures from other online sources. The goal is to educate anyone who is curious, as well as to provide artists with references that will improve the realism of their work.
I am still learning, and guessing the correct color can sometimes be difficult even with an ideal photo or the dog itself to examine. If you spot any mistakes let me know.
If you see your picture here and don't want it to be let me know and I'll take it down.
If you would like to contribute a picture for reference send me a link. Photographs need to be clear, in good lighting, and show enough of the dog to provide a good reference for markings.
I will be going back and adding to this whenever I find new references. My personal goal is to improve the quality of my art and educate myself because I like to know more about the patients I meet at
White Spotting Dog Color Feature: White SpottingThis is a supplement to my Theoretical Dog Genetics guide . I am using thumbnails from dA so that artists will get the credit that would be harder to give taking pictures from other online sources. The goal is to educate anyone who is curious, as well as to provide artists with references that will improve the realism of their work.
I am still learning, and guessing the correct color can sometimes be difficult even with an ideal photo or the dog itself to examine. If you spot any mistakes let me know.
If you see your picture here and don't want it to be let me know and I'll take it down.
If you would like to contribute a picture for reference send me a link. Photographs need to be clear, in good lighting, and show enough of the dog to provide a good reference for markings.
I will be going back and adding to this whenever I find new references. My personal goal is to improve the quality of my art and educate myself because I like to know more about the patients I meet at
White Spotting Modifiers Dog Color Feature: White Spotting ModifiersThis is a supplement to my Theoretical Dog Genetics guide . I am using thumbnails from dA so that artists will get the credit that would be harder to give taking pictures from other online sources. The goal is to educate anyone who is curious, as well as to provide artists with references that will improve the realism of their work.
I am still learning, and guessing the correct color can sometimes be difficult even with an ideal photo or the dog itself to examine. If you spot any mistakes let me know.
If you see your picture here and don't want it to be let me know and I'll take it down.
If you would like to contribute a picture for reference send me a link. Photographs need to be clear, in good lighting, and show enough of the dog to provide a good reference for markings.
I will be going back and adding to this whenever I find new references. My personal goal is to improve the quality of my art and educate myself because I like to know more about the patients I meet at
Eyes and Noses Dog Color Feature: Eyes and NosesThis is a supplement to my Theoretical Dog Genetics guide . I am using thumbnails from dA so that artists will get the credit that would be harder to give taking pictures from other online sources. The goal is to educate anyone who is curious, as well as to provide artists with references that will improve the realism of their work.
I am still learning, and guessing the correct color can sometimes be difficult even with an ideal photo or the dog itself to examine. If you spot any mistakes let me know.
If you see your picture here and don't want it to be let me know and I'll take it down.
If you would like to contribute a picture for reference send me a link. Photographs need to be clear, in good lighting, and show enough of the dog to provide a good reference for markings.
I will be going back and adding to this whenever I find new references. My personal goal is to improve the quality of my art and educate myself because I like to know more about the patients I meet at

Body Types Dog Body Type FeatureThis is a supplement to my Theoretical Dog Genetics guide . I am using thumbnails from dA so that artists will get the credit that would be harder to give taking pictures from other online sources. The goal is to educate anyone who is curious, as well as to provide artists with references that will improve the realism of their work.
I am still learning, and guessing the correct color can sometimes be difficult even with an ideal photo or the dog itself to examine. If you spot any mistakes let me know.
If you see your picture here and don't want it to be let me know and I'll take it down.
If you would like to contribute a picture for reference send me a link. Photographs need to be clear, in good lighting, and show enough of the dog to provide a good reference for markings.
I will be going back and adding to this whenever I find new references.
Other References:
 
K Locus- Black, Brindle, and Agouti
Chocolate, Blue, Isabella, and Progressive Graying

B Locus: Recessive, modifies black hair and skin pigment to chocolate, aka brown/liver/red. Eyes- amber. Nose- brown.
  Australian Shepherds Beagle Border Collies Corgi  Dalmatians Doberman Pinscher Dogue de Bordeaux Finnish Lapphund German Shepherd Dogs Hungarian Viszla Labrador Retriever Lab/Poodle Mix  Mixed breeds Pit bull/Rottweiler mix Saluki Shar Pei Siberian Huskies Spaniel mix


D Locus: Recessive, dilutes black in hair and skin to blue, aka charcoal gray/slate gray. Red hair is slightly desaturated in intensity. Eyes- amber (may be darker than a chocolate dog's). Nose- gray.
  American Bully  American Pitbull Terrier  Australian Kelpie German Shepherd Dog Neapolitan Mastiff Tibetan Mastiff Whippets (blue with normal black)


Isabella: A dog with bbdd. Aka diluted chocolate/mouse gray/lilac/fawn. Eyes- amber. Nose- light brown.
  Australian Kelpie Border Collie  Doberman Pinscher  Labrador Retriever  Weimaraners


G Locus: Dominant progressive graying. Only affects eumelanin (black pigment) in hair. Puppies are born with full color and lighten as they age. Does not affect masks. Long or non-shedding coat may be needed for the graying affect to be visible. Eyes- brown. Nose- black.
Kerry Blue Terrier (mask with graying) Poodles (grayed chocolate) Poodle/Terrier mixes Poodle/Lab mix Puli Yorkshire Terriers
Seal: A black or blue dog born with a brownish color on the sides, leaving the head, back, and tail the original color. Can be difficult to tell apart from sun bleaching. No matter how light the coat the nose color will be unaffected.