- Doberman Pinsher
Breeds Serviced
Albinism (White) in Doberman Pinscher
Researchers at Michigan State University recently identified a mutation that is tied to Oculocutaneous Albinism in Doberman Pinschers. The mutation alters a gene that has been shown to cause a similar condition (OCA4) in humans. Every white Doberman that has been tested has two copies of this mutation, and every known carrier has one copy.
Since the first appearance of white dogs in the breed some 35 years ago, every dog descended from that original breeding has received a special AKC designation (Z list) if they are registered. As might be expected this far beyond the original event, the majority of these dogs do not carry the albinism mutation. In a random sampling of non-white Z list animals submitted to Vetgen for other testing, approximately 80% were free of this mutation.
