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What are trait results, and how do I interpret them?

Valeria A.
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Learn the basics on how to interpret your dog's Trait results here.

To begin, we've compiled resources to help you interpret your dog's traits results:

These sites outline the different loci and alleles and explain how they interact with one another. 

Looking for more?

Below is a breakdown of each allele, their hierarchy, and how they interact with one another to determine your dog's appearance. If you need help Contact us!

E (Recessive Red) Locus

  • e Allele: Drives expression of Recessive Red. This gene is recessive, as such, two copies are needed for expression.
  • Em Allele: May cause a Melanistic Mask in patterned dogs. This gene is dominant, as such, only one copy is needed.
  • E Allele: This is not Recessive Red, nor a mask. This gene is dominant, if one “E” Allele is present we next look at the K Locus.

K (Dominant Black) Locus

  • KB Allele: Drives expression of Dominant Black. This gene is dominant, as such, only one copy is needed.
  • ky Allele: Not Dominant Black. This gene is recessive, if two “ky” Alleles are present we next look at the A Locus.

I (Intensity) Locus

  • At least five different genetic loci explain approximately 70% of red pigmentation "intensity" variation across all dogs. Dogs with a result of Intense Red Pigmentation will likely have deep red hair like an Irish Setter or "apricot" hair like some Poodles, dogs with a result of Intermediate Red Pigmentation will likely have tan or yellow hair like a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, and dogs with Dilute Red Pigmentation will likely have cream or white hair like a Samoyed. 
  • This trait will only be visible in dogs with “red” areas in their coats (either ee at the E locus or kyky at the K locus and not aa at the A locus).
  • Our intensity test was designed to capture red intensity across all dog breeds. As a result, a coat color that is considered “intense” in some breeds might be “intermediate” when examining the full spectrum.

A (Coat Pattern) Locus – Proceeding in order of dominance

  • Ay Allele: Drives expression of Fawn Sable coat pattern. This gene is dominant over other “A” Alleles.
  • Aw Allele: Drives expression of Agouti or “Wolf Sable” coat pattern. This gene is dominant over the “At” and “a” Alleles.
  • At Allele: Drives expression of Black-and-Tan or “Phantom” coat pattern. This gene is dominant over the “a” Allele.
  • a Allele: Drives expression of Recessive Black. This gene is recessive, as such, two copies are needed.

D (Dilution) Locus

  • d Allele: Drives modification of the K and B loci and causes Dilution such as “Blue” and “Lilac”. This gene is recessive, as such, two copies are needed.
  • D Allele: No Dilution. This gene is dominant, as such, only one copy is needed.

Cocoa

  • co Allele: Drives modification of dark hairs to brown. This gene is recessive, as such, two copies are needed.
  • N allele: No Cocoa. This gene is dominant, as such, only one copy is needed. 
  • A dog that is both "coco" and "bb" will typically express lighter hairs than typical brown. BUT, the "bb" can mask the "coco" in some cases. These dogs might have mid/light brown skin and hair like other "bb" dogs.
  • Dogs that are "coco" and "Bb" or "BB" may have darker brown coats.

B (Brown) Locus

  • b Allele: Drives expression of Brown or Chocolate, modifying black pigmentation. This gene is recessive, as such, two copies are needed.
  • B Allele: Not Brown or Chocolate. Black pigmentation is not modified. This gene is dominant, as such, only one copy is needed.

S (Parti/Piebald) Locus

  • sp Allele: Drives expression of white patterning. This gene is dominant. Dogs with two copies will likely have heavy white patterning. Dogs with one copy will likely have limited white spotting.
  • S Allele: Dogs carrying two copies of this recessive gene are likely to have very little to no white patterning.

M (Merle) Locus

  • M* Allele: Drives expression of Merle patterning. This gene is dominant, as such, only one copy is needed. However, M* dogs may not express the gene phenotypically. This is known as “Phantom” or “Cryptic” Merle.
  • m Allele: No merle. This gene is recessive, as such, two copies are needed.

H (Harlequin) Locus

  • H Allele: Drives the harlequin pattern in Great Danes if they also carry at least one M* Allele. This gene is dominant, as such, only one copy is needed.
  • h Allele: No harlequin. This gene is recessive, as such, two copies are needed.

It is important to remember that just because a dog may be expressing one color (“ee”), that does not mean they cannot carry other colors (“KB”, “Ay”, etc.). Indeed, one should look at all the color loci to understand the full picture of their dog’s coat color genetics!
Armed with this information we have also included a link on how to create Punnet Squares and best anticipate what colors your puppies will carry: Punnett Squares and Predicting Litter Outcomes. If you have any additional questions, please be sure to let us know!

Don't forget! Your MyEmbark account includes information about your dog's sample status, your dog's results, and many other helpful resources. Log in to your account here! 
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