Some information for you
THE MYTH BEHIND THE COLOUR BLUE
In recent years the colour blue has become very popular and now accounts for the largest percentage of registered colours. Unfortunately the increase in popularity of blue Staffords has lead to irresponsible breeding purely for colour and huge prices being demanded for puppies.
Breeders that breed purely for colour unfortunately make many false claims about their dogs to justify the large price tags.
A few myths -
No blue dog has ever held the award of “Top Stud”
No blue dog has ever been awarded a Ch title in the UK.
No blue dog has black nails or nose (genetically impossible)
No blue dog is solid blue (all blues are genetically blue brindle just the pattern shows more on some than others)
Blue is not rare
Where does the colour come from ?
The colour blue is a result of an abnormality of the black brindle gene, causing a dilution. It is a gene that influences hairs to form with larger, abnormal pigment granules due to abnormalities in melanin transfer and storage. This pigment clumping leads to washed out, or dilute colours. The gene is a recessive one and in order for a dog to have a dilute colour it must inherit the gene from both parents. Blue is quite simply the black brindle gone wrong !
For instance;
A black brindle dog (not carrying the dilute gene) that is mated to a black brindle bitch (not carrying the dilute gene) will produce black brindle pups that do not carry the dilute gene.
A black brindle dog (not carrying the dilute gene) that is mated to a blue bitch will produce black brindle pups but they will all carry the dilute gene.
A blue bitch mated to a black brindle dog that does carry the dilute gene will produce both blue and black brindle pups with all pups carrying the dilute gene.
A blue bitch mated to a blue dog will result in the entire litter being dilute.
The concern is that in blue (dilute) dogs there is an high increased risk of skin issues associated with the dilution.
The continuing bad practice of breeding blue x blue dogs over generations is creating problems such as CDA. This causes much distress to dogs and owners.
Colour dilution alopecia (CDA) is associated with a colour dilution gene, probably at the D locus. Under the influence of multiple genes, dilute hairs form with larger, abnormal pigment granules due to abnormalities in melanin transfer and storage. This pigment clumping leads to washed out, or dilute colours. It is not known if the colour dilution gene is directly responsible for the skin changes or if a linked gene codes for the associated follicular changes. The clumping of pigment leads to distortion of the hair shafts and fracture resulting in alopecia.
Can I show my blue dog ?
If your dog is KC registered then it is eligible to be shown. Blue is a colour recognised in the breed standard. A good dog is a good dog regardless of the colour. A judge does not judge colour only standard.
The reason blues traditionally do not do well in the show ring is primarily they are bred for colour not for standard by most. There are a few good examples of the breed which are blue being shown and doing well.
Join a ringcraft club (even better if breed specific) and come along to a show to watch, you are very welcome.
The most important thing to do when planing any breeding or looking for a puppy is health tests. Please ensure both parents are L2 HGA and HC clear. There are many blues rumoured to be on the wrong paperwork and lots of blue L2 HGA carriers so it is good practice to test even if your dog is hereditary clear.