What function does the Agouti (A) series of genes control in German Shepherds?
Answer
Dictates how pigment is distributed along the hair shaft.
The Agouti gene series is the fundamental genetic mechanism responsible for controlling the distribution pattern of pigment along the length of an individual hair shaft in the German Shepherd coat. This process determines whether the hair exhibits banding, solid coloration, or specific patterns like sable. Specifically, in the case of sable patterns, the Agouti gene allows for bands of different colors to appear on the same strand. This contrasts sharply with solid coloration where the Agouti instructions are suppressed or overridden, resulting in uniform pigment distribution from root to tip across all hairs.
Related Questions
What function does the Agouti (A) series of genes control in German Shepherds?Which dominant allele typically causes solid black coloration by overriding the Agouti gene?What specific feature defines a black sable coat pattern on the individual hair shaft?What visual characteristic creates a primary source of confusion between a black sable and a solid black GSD?What is suggested about the historical prevalence of the sable coat color in German Shepherds?What detail should an observer look for on the guard hairs along the back ridge to distinguish a black sable?Why does only one copy of the dominant E^D gene cause a dog to appear solid black?What are the two main reasons cited for the high perceived rarity of the black sable German Shepherd?What effect does a breeder focusing on uniform solid black dogs have on their litters?How does the undercoat of a black sable typically differ from that of a solid black German Shepherd?