Coat colors and patterns - kmfisk/workdog GitHub Wiki

All dogs in Working Dogs come in multiple coat colors. This page is a guide to some of the common colors, patterns and terms used.

Coat color in dogs, unlike coat length, is purely aesthetic. Behavior, working group and aggression is dictated by breed, not the color of a dog's fur, and all dogs are equally capable of doing their job as long as they are bred well. However, some dog coats are considered lethal variants*, and need to be bred carefully in order to avoid stillborn pups.

PLEASE NOTE: In the "Lite" beta version, lethal variants are not-yet implemented!

The Working Dogs mod does not aim to simulate realistic dog genetics, but has some features to simulate the consequences of inbreeding and the breeding of off-standard dogs. It also does not use official names for colors or patterns as dictated by breed organizations, in order to make arrogant annoying dog nerds on the internet as angry as possible.

Some coats in Working Dogs are based on the pets, current and past, of staff members and supporters. Each reference is listed on the individual breed page.

Albinistic

Albinism is a rare special coat color caused by an absence of pigment in a dog. Albinistic dogs can usually be differentiated from white dogs because their eyes are always pale blue or bright red. White dogs may also have dark spots on their nose or belly, while albinistic dogs will not.

Dogs with albinism are incredibly rare, and only 1% of dogs spawned in or born have the mutation.

In real life, albinism is a recessive gene that is directly harmful to dogs. Breeding albinistic dogs together can cause health issues due to the lack of pigment, including vision and hearing loss. It can also cause joint and connective tissue weakness, as well as sensitive skin and an increased risk of cancer. Albinistic is considered a lethal gene, and cannot be bred back into itself.

Albinistic is considered a special variable, and not a coat color, so albinistic dogs retain their normal coat color genetics and will pass them on to puppies.

All breeds of dog, including wild dogs, can generate as albinistic.

Black

Black describes dogs with a mostly, or completely, dark colored coat.

All dog breeds have a black variant, even if it is considered a fault or illegal for the breed. Not all breeds carry black, however, so it is a rare occurrence either by finding a stray, using a spawn egg, or by extremely rare mutations.

Black dogs can usually be distinguished from dogs with melanism: they often have white markings, light eyes, or a pink belly or paws, which melanistic dogs cannot. The easiest way to tell them apart is black dogs' pink tongues.

Black and tan

Black and tan is a marking pattern seen on some dogs. It gives a black-colored dog tan markings on its muzzle, throat, belly and paws, as well as distinct pectoral patches and eyebrows. Black and tan is sometimes called "points," and doesn't always have to be a black base with tan markings: it can occur on liver or blue dogs, and the points on a black dog can also be dark brown or white.

Black and tan is a common pattern in several breeds, especially in pastoral breeds and pinschers. Unfortunately, because of dangerous dog stigma, many dogs with this coat pattern are considered scary or inherently aggressive, which is not always the case. Many breeds have different variants with lighter or darker point markings.

Black and tan is seen in several workdog breeds:

Blue

Blue is a term used for a cool gray coloration on a dog. Blue is usually a result of a diluted black coat, meaning that some of the darker pigments on the dog don't show up. Because it results from a modification of black coats, it can be combined with other colors and patterns, such as white points, or brindle. Blue dogs usually have a light gray nose and paler gums and paws.

Blue is common in some breeds, but is a novelty coat that results from inbreeding for a recessive trait in many others. While healthy dogs like pit bulls and border collies are often seen with blue markings, blue is not a natural color in others such as German shepherds.

Dogs with blue coats may be prone to health issues, especially if they are deliberately inbred. Breeders who market blue dogs as a rare, special novelty should be scrutinized heavily, since they may not be considering the dog's health and temperament over a rare coat.

Several workdog breeds have a blue, or partially blue, coat variant:

Brindle

Brindle is a coat pattern that gives a dog multi-colored vertical stripes. It can come in any color, but brown, blue and tan are common. Brindle is easiest to see on short-coated dogs, but is also seen on long-coated dogs where it is more blended.

Brindle isn't seen naturally in very many breeds, but its unique appearance makes it a highly desirable color. Dog enthusiasts should be wary of breeders who advertise brindle in dogs who don't usually have it, or who charge more for brindle dogs over others. Brindle, like merle, in dog breeds where it isn't common, can be a sign of irresponsible backyard breeding.

Brindle is seen in several Workdog breeds:

Fawn

Fawn is a term for a dog with a single-colored coat with a dark face mask. Both parts of the dog can be any color, but the body is usually tan or brown, while the mask is usually a dark brown or black. White paws, bellies, and nose markings are common.

Fawn is usually seen in mastiff-type breeds, and breeds with mastiff heritage.

Several dog breeds have fawn colors:

  • Akitas have three fawn variants, with pinto and brindle as well as solid.
  • The pit bull has one fawn variant, with a blue mask instead of black.

Liver

Liver is a term used to describe usually-black dogs with a brown coat, light nose and gums. It can be combined with other markings, such as black and tan.

Very few breeds have a fully brown or liver coat naturally. There is mounting evidence that some dogs with liver coats may have eye, joint and connective tissue weakness that may impact their long-term health. If a breeder advertises liver coats in a breed where it's not standard, it is a strong red flag they are inbreeding dogs to produce a "rare" coat instead of focusing on health and temperament.

Melanistic

Melanism is a rare special coat color caused by an overproduction of dark pigment in a dog's body. Melanistic dogs can usually be differentiated from black dogs because their eyes, tongue and the bare skin on their ears and belly is always purple or dark black.

Dogs with melanism are incredibly rare, and only 1% of dogs spawned in or born have the mutation. Unlike albinistic, hyperpigmentation doesn't have many health drawbacks, and is not considered lethal.

Melanistic is considered a special variable, and not a coat color, so melanistic dogs retain their normal coat color genetics and will pass them on to puppies.

All breeds of dog, including wild dogs, can generate as melanistic.

Merle

Merle is a term used for small, mixed patches of color on a dog's coat. The gene for merle causes partial dilution of pigments across the body. Dogs with merle sometimes have a pink and black "snow nose" and mixed paw pads and nails. Many dogs with merle also have blue eyes or ocular heterochromia with one blue and one brown eye.

In real life, the genes that cause merling are dominant. Dogs with one copy of the merle gene are prone to deafness and to eye issues. When a dog has two copies of the dominant merle gene, it is called a double merle: these dogs are extremely prone to eye and ear deformities, and many are both blind and deaf. Double merle dogs are banned in many breed organizations, so those that exist are often inbred or bred recklessly, causing other health complications. Merle is considered a lethal gene in many breeds, and cannot be bred back into itself.

Merle can theoretically be found in any breed, but is not common or healthy outside of a select few. Merle generally doesn't show up randomly in new breeds, and instead results from ethically dubious crossing with breeds that already have it. People who breed for off-standard colors in dogs usually don't care about the health or temperament of a dog, so seeing merle outside of breeds where it is in-standard is a red flag.

Merle is seen on just a few breeds:

Ocular heterochromia

Ocular heterochromia is a quirk in some dogs. Sometimes called "odd eyes," heterochromia gives a dog two different colored eyes. This is usually one blue and one brown eye, but can also partially affect each eye: a dog can have brown spots in a blue eye, or one solid brown eye with a half blue one.

In most breeds, ocular heterochromia is considered a fault, but it is allowed in other breeds. It is very common with merled dogs, as well as in specific working breeds where it is common without health effects. Dog breeds with a long history of non-standardized work breeding, such as border collies, huskies and Catahoula leopard dogs, are known for heterochromia.

Because the genes that cause ocular heterochromia affect the eyes, dogs with it may be prone to congenital blindness, as well as ear issues - especially in merle . It may not be an immediate health issue, but owners should be aware that it may cause problems.

Several workdog breeds have variants with odd eyes:

  • Border collies are not only known for ocular heterochromia, but it is allowed by most breeding organizations.
  • Pit bull dogs occasionally have odd-eyes: the brown pinto variant has one brown, and one blue.

Pinto

Pinto is a term used for white dogs with broken areas of color across their bodies. Other terms for this pattern are harlequin, patch, or blanket. Generally, pinto is used to describe patched variants of normally solid-colored dogs, but it can describe any dog with sparse colored patches on white.

Pinto usually describes dogs with markings over less than half of their body, as opposed to white paws, tail tip, and belly. Pinto dogs can be any one color (or multiple) on white, as well as having some brindling or sable.

Pinto is seen on several breeds:

  • The American akita has genes from the Saint Bernard and boxer, which mean many of them have pinto markings.
  • Border collies are usually white with broken markings on the head, back and tail.
  • Boston terriers have a Lilac variant with small tan patches.
  • While not called Pinto, the jack Russell terrier's coats are mostly broken brown and white.
  • Pit bull dogs have a pinto variant for every color.

Sable

Sable is a term for soft, blended, ticked markings in a distinct pattern on a dog. Sable markings usually have distinct "cuts" around the shoulders, neck and rump, with a light neck, belly, paws and thighs. The darkest parts of a sable dog are the head, tail and shoulderblades, which have dark outer guard hairs.

Sable markings are seen on several wild dog species, including wolves. Dogs with sable markings are often described as wolf-like, and very sought-after for this reason. Some breeders and enthusiasts even call the pattern "wolf sable."

Sable markings are seen on several breeds:

  • All variants of wolf have some degree of sable markings.
  • Akitas have multiple variants with sable. Black overlay akitas (such as Black and Black and white socks) have some of the shoulder cuts, light rear and light neck, while Red and Gold Sesame have a similar pattern.
  • German shepherds have some sable marking traits on most variants. They also have three specific Sable variants.

Saddle

Saddle is a distinct marking seen on some breeds of dog. A saddle is a large black or brown patch covering from a dog's shoulders down to its tail, though it can go further or be shorter. A saddle may be combined with a mask on the head.

Saddles are often seen on hound dogs, as well as German shepherds. Mixed breed dogs with saddle markings don't always have one of these breeds, but it's a likely possibility.

Saddle markings are seen on several breeds:

  • German shepherd dogs are the best example of saddle markings, and their most iconic coats have them.

White

White is a term used for dogs that primarily lack pigment across their bodies. White dogs can have black or liver colored noses, lighter colored gums, and sometimes have dark spots on their mouth, nose, belly or paws.

In real life, many of the genes that contribute to white dogs are recessive. Breeding white dogs to white dogs can cause health issues due to the lack of pigment, including vision and hearing loss. It can also cause joint and connective tissue weakness, alopecia, and can make dogs prone to sunburns. White is considered a lethal gene in many breeds, and cannot be bred back into itself.

White dogs are the default coat generated in the event a dog with an invalid coat color is spawned in, either through a glitch or through user error. Thus, all breeds have a white coat variant, even if it is considered a fault or illegal for the breed.