Dog Coat Color and Type - Havanese Panel

The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene controls production of the pigments eumelanin (black) and phaeomelanin (red/yellow). Six known variants of this gene are responsible for producing markings and coat colors including melanistic mask, grizzle/domino, black, and shades of red/yellow.

The Agouti Signaling Protein (ASIP) gene interacts with the MC1R gene to control red (phaeomelanin) and black (eumelanin) pigment switching in dogs, affecting amount, type, and distribution of the two pigments.

The Brown gene dilutes eumelanin (black pigment) to brown but does not affect phaeomelanin (red/yellow pigment).

Several gene variants are known to produce dilute coloration in dogs. Colors are lightened (diluted) to paler shades as a result of the variants' effects on pigmentation.

The Dominant Black gene (K Locus) affects pigment switching between eumelanin (black) and phaeomelanin (red or yellow) by interacting with the Agouti and MC1R genes.

White spotting patterns that occur in many dog breeds do not have a uniform genetic basis, and the genetics are complex. In piebald/parti/random white spotting, the extent of white pattern expression varies, and markings are often asymmetrical.

A dominant variant of the R-spondin-2 gene produces the longer mustache and eyebrows seen in wire-haired dogs and other breeds.

A variant in the Keratin-71 gene is associated with curly hair in dogs. Dogs with the curl variant have curly coats or wavy coats depending on how many copies of the variant they possess.