A melanistic mask is a dog coat pattern that gives the appearance of a mask on the dog's face. The hairs on the muzzle, and sometimes entire face or ears, .
Are melanistic masks dominant?
Melanistic mask is inherited in several breeds as an autosomal dominant trait, and appears to be a fixed trait in a few breeds of dogs.
Are melanistic masks recessive?
The "e" allele is recessive, meaning that a dog must have two copies of the MC1R mutation to express the solid yellow coat colour. A third allele exists in the extension gene, Em which is also dominant. This causes the dog to have a black mask on their face, also known as a melanistic mask.
What is the melanistic mask allele?
Melanistic Mask – EM Locus The dominant Em allele of MC1R is responsible for the localized distribution of eumelanin on the muzzle that resembles a darkened mask in a pheomelanic (ay) background. The melanistic mask caused by one copy of this allele is only visible on dogs that are fawn or brindle.
What is a melanistic mask French bulldog?
A melanistic mask (also referred to as a mask or masking) is a dog coat pattern that gives the appearance of a mask on the dog's face. The hairs on the muzzle, and sometimes entire face or ears, are colored by eumelanin instead of pheomelanin pigment.
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