Just got latest Dog World today and I'll quote from a box of veterinary
> info:
>
> "Gene causing 'blue' color identified"
> Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.. ..able to isolate it and publish the results in
> the
> June 16, 2005 issue of BMC Genetics....hu nting for the defective gene
> behind
> what is scientifically called "black hair follicular dysplasia". The
> condition causes normally black hair to be a silver-gray which may in some
> cases be
> associated with skin and coat problems.
> "There are three genes that form a kind of ratchet mechanism that move the
> pigment up into the hairs. When the middle gene, MLPH, is wrong, the
> ratchet
> can't work and that's why dogs are blue, because they can't get enough
> pigment up to make them black." The gene is inherited as A recessive.
> More problematic is the issue of associated skin and coat
> conditions...t hey
> only lose the black hairs, which break and fall off so there are bald
> patches wherever gray is.
> Sheila M. Schmutz's research is continuing, she is seeking DNA samples
> from
> blue dogs of any breed with hair coat or skin problems. If you have such
> a
> dog, please email her at
> _sheila.schmut z@usask.ca_ (mailto:sheila.schmutz@usask.ca)
>
>
>
