D – Locus (Dilution)

Application:
- Carrier identification.
Coat color dilution is autosomal-recessive. Dilution manifests if the mutation is homozygous (d/d). A dog with two variant copies of the MLPH gene will have a blue, charcoal, Isabella (lilac) or fawn coat color depending on the other coat color genes present in the individual. In some breeds dilute coat color can be associated with development of alopecia (hair loss). However, the dilution mutation can also lead to severe health problems such as Colour Dilution Alopecia (CDA - dilution colour-related hair loss), e.g. in Doberman dogs.