| COLOR INHERITENCE OF THE WHITE COLLIE |
| White factor in collies is an autosomal recessive character which means that it is carried as a single gene by a colored Collie and is transferred to the offspring as a simple recessive, one gene from each parent being necessary to produce white coat color in any offspring which inherit two white factor genes. Offspring which inherit only one white factor gene remain colored but usually show their inheritance with a broad band of white on the outside edge of the stifle from toes to bellyline. A spot of white may also appear on the body, usually over the hip area, tailtip may be enlarged , and the collar may extend behind the shoulders or further. Amount of display of white factor vaires wth individuals just as regualr markings vary, and the only true tests of white factor are either having a white parent or having produced white offspring. The mating of two colored collies, neither one carrying white factor as a recessive will produce all offspring colored with out white factor. The mating of one colored collie without white factor to a colored collie carrying white factor as a recessive will produce all offspring colored, a portion of which will carry white factor and a portion that will not carry it. The ratio is usually 1 : 1. The mating of a colored collie without white factor to a white factor collie procuce all offspring colored, but all will carry white factor as a recessive. Unless white factor is present, a colored collie cannot produce white offspring even if mated to a white. The mating of a colored collie carrying white factor to another colored collie carrying white factor will produce some colored offspring which did not inherit white factor, some colored offspring which did inherit white factor, and some offspring which are white having inherited white factor from both parents. The ratio is usually 1:2:1. The mating of a colored collie carrying white factor to a white collie will produce some colored offspring carrying white factor and some offspring which are white the ratio is usually 1:1. The mating of two white collies will produce all offspring white with color on the heads and sometimes body spots. In determining what is and what is not a white collie,if there is any question as to whether the dog is colored or white, it is not a white. True white collie have color on the heads and are about 80% white on the body or more. White collies are as normal in every way as their colored brothers and sisters, and they produce white offspring when mated for that characteristic.. Double dilution merles, despite their seemingly white coats, are not white collies, do not have to have white or white factored parents, and do not produce whites.. White collies have normal hearing and typical collie eyesight. Double dilution merles, as a rule, are defective in those two areas. |
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