Adopts | MYOs | Breeding | Genetics
The "A" locus determines what pattern the black and red pigments appear. Shown here with "Black" and "Offwhite" for maximum contrast, but you can choose and combo of black and red pigments.
Similar to the "C" Locus, you can usually tell what a dog should look at my looking at the first gene in a pair, with a few exceptions. The main ones to remember in order of dominance are:
Aw = agouti
Ay = Sable
At = Points
AtAs = Blanket
As = Saddle
a = Recessive black, or solid
Sable dogs can come in varying amounts of shading. Some have very few black hairs, usually concentrated on the ears if visibale, and are called "Clear" sables. Examples of this can be Belgian Malinois and Black Mouthed Cur. They can seem red all over but the masking present shows they must be sable, but masking is not required on a sable dog. Some other types are "Tipped" such as the Kooikerhondje with dark ears and tail, and "Shaded" sables, often seen in collie type dogs.
When "At" and "As" are combined, they make a pattern called a "blanket". When "At" and "a" are combined they make "minimal points". Sometimes an artist may choose for any heterozygous "a" to alter the "A" pattern to be "extreme" or "extended" in its patterning or reach. You do not have to do this, but if you would like to you can! I would recommend becoming familiar with the patterns in their typical expressions before trying to alter them too much.
