What genetic mechanism causes the brilliant white coat in a White German Shepherd?
Answer
The presence of a recessive gene.
The brilliant white coat characteristic of this dog is determined by specific genetics found within the German Shepherd gene pool, but this coloration is not the result of crossbreeding with a distinct species. Specifically, the white pigmentation arises from the expression of a recessive gene, or recessive allele. For this particular coat color to manifest in an offspring, a strict requirement must be met: both parent dogs must carry this recessive gene, and both parents must successfully pass that specific gene on to the resulting puppy. This mechanism is distinct from genes that might mask other colors or genes associated with albinism, as the White Shepherd is not classified as albino.
Related Questions
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