How is the white coat color in the White German Shepherd genetically defined?
Answer
It arises from a recessive gene that masks the dog’s underlying true color pigment.
The genetic basis for the white coat is a recessive gene that possesses the characteristic of masking whatever the dog's underlying true color pigment might be. For a puppy to inherit this white appearance, both parents must carry this specific recessive gene, even if neither parent displays the white coat themselves. This genetic mechanism ensures that two standard-colored German Shepherds, if they are carriers, can produce white offspring, illustrating that the trait is carried silently until paired correctly.
Related Questions
What common misconception about the White German Shepherd coat color is explicitly denied regarding pigment?What was the primary valuation criteria for Early German Shepherd Dogs established by Captain Max von Stephanitz?How is the white coat color in the White German Shepherd genetically defined?Approximately when did the German Shepherd Dog Club (SV) begin actively discouraging the breeding of white dogs in Germany?Which organization cemented the divergence by formally recognizing the White Shepherd as a separate variety?What typically remains intact regarding the temperament of dogs in the white lines of the German Shepherd?What is the registration status today for white offspring produced by two standard-colored parents registered with the AKC?What did the lifting of selective pressure on physical traits lead to in independent white lines barred from AKC/SV shows?What philosophical difference in breeding goals reinforces the evolution into two distinct tracks for the white gene carriers?How is the historical context best described regarding the White German Shepherd's current status?