Malamute Coat Color Genetics
by Nichole Royer

Lilac
This page was last updated: October 15, 2008
© 2007 All text and photos are copyright to Nichole Royer, and/or the photographer.
Unauthorized copying of any part constitutes a breach of copyright law.
Lilac Agouti
Genetics: A-bbclclddDom-E- (Agouti + Chinchilla-like dilute + Brown + Dilute)


















Description:

Coat: Banded coat - dark bands dull brown.

Undercoat: White/off white

Legs and Face: White/off white

Facial Markings: May be dark enough to give the appearance of a full bar, however the color is always salt and pepper rather than solid. Markings on face often fade and can be much less extensive in adults, detectible only as rings around the eyes.

Pigment: Dull and often washed out brown. Tend to have broken areas of pigmentation in the mouth and on the lips where it is completely pink. Pads pale in color. Nostrils pink.

Eyes: Pale Yellow

Notes: Can be difficult to tell from light Lilac as an adult. Often mistaken for Red Agouti or Light Red.

Newborn or Puppy: Born with a sooty or "dirty" looking face. Eyes are pale slate blue when they open, and then turn bright pale blue for a few weeks.



Lilac and White
Genetics: atatbbclclddDom-E- (Tan Point + Chinchilla-like dilute + Brown + Dilute)


















Description:

Coat: No banding on coat – solid dull brown

Undercoat: Brown/Dark Buff

Legs and Face: White/off white

Facial Markings: Always extreme mask on face

Pigment: Dull and often washed out brown. Tend to have broken areas of pigmentation in the mouth and on the lips where it is completely pink. Pads pale in color. Nostrils pink.

Eyes: Pale Yellow

Notes: Often mistaken for Mahogany Red.

Newborn or Puppy: Born almost solid brown. Face brown with very tiny white "eyebrows". Eyes are pale slate blue when they open, and then turn bright pale blue for a few weeks.

Light Lilac
Genetics: A-bbclcldddomdomE- (Agouti + Domino +Chinchilla-like dilute + Brown + Dilute)


















Description:

Coat: Salt and pepper coat – dark bands dull brown

Undercoat: White/off white

Legs and Face: White/off white

Facial Markings: Markings fade in color and size, never
having the appearance of a full bar, and being washed out
and shadow-like instead of solid

Pigment: Dull and often washed out brown. Tend to have
broken areas of pigmentation in the mouth and on the lips
where it is completely pink. Pads pale in color. Nostrils pink.

Eyes: Pale Yellow

Notes: Often mistaken for Light Red

Newborn or Puppy: Born with crisp facial markings/masking and large white eyebrows. Eyes are pale slate blue when they open, and then turn bright pale blue for a few weeks.

Dark Lilac
Genetics: atatbbclcldddomdom-E- (Tan Point + Domino +Chinchilla-like dilute + Brown + Dilute)


















Description:

Coat: Appear Dull Brown from a distance however most have a white band at the base of the coat. Very dark individuals may be missing the white band.

Undercoat: Usually white, however may be brown/buff along topline and in very dark individuals.

Legs and Face: White/off white

Facial Markings: Always crisp and clear cut includes a full bar (except in individuals with additional white spotting) that appears solid in color on the face.

Pigment: Dull and often washed out brown. Tend to have broken areas of pigmentation in the mouth and on the lips where it is completely pink. Pads pale in color. Nostrils pink.

Eyes: Pale Yellow

Notes: Never has the extreme masking seen on Lilac and White dogs. Often mistaken for Dark Red.

Newborn or Puppy: Born with crisp facial markings/masking and large white eyebrows. Eyes are pale slate blue when they open, and then turn bright pale blue for a few weeks.


Artwork copyrighted to Susan Richardson, all rights reserved