CANINE COAT AND NOSE COLOR TEST
Chinese Shar-Pei

CODE: C128

DNA TEST:
Although DNA tests are not yet available to distinguish the full range of colors in Chinese Shar-Pei, some tests are available at this time.

All three E alleles occur in Shar-Pei: E^M, E, and e. All cream and apricot dogs are e/e Shar-Pei traditionally called red have an E allele. Both red and fawn dogs are reddish because of the presence of an a^y allele. Please note that cream cannot be distinguished from apricot at this time.

Chocolate occurs in Shar-Pei in full depth, called chocolate and pale called lilac. This is due to a b/b genotype at the B locus. DNA test results will also report the genotype at the B locus. Fawn dogs may also have a brown mask because of b/b. Note that "brown" as a coat color in Shar-Pei is a mixture of black and reddish hairs and the gene causing this is not yet known.

There are two A alleles at the agouti locus in Shar-Pei (a^y and a^w), although most Shar-Pei are a^y/a^y. Dogs which are a^w/a^w are called "patterned sable". There is also the rare occurrence of a^t in Shar-Pei. DNA testing is available for the presence of the a^y allele in Shar-Pei. Since we cannot distinguish between a^w and a^t at this time, a^x will be used to designate the presence of either one of these alleles.

Dilute is used in Shar-Pei to mean the lack of black nose and pad pigment. This could be due to b/b or d/d or an unknown gene that causes the nose to be pink.

There are two alleles at the K locus in Shar-Pei. A single K^B causes the dog to be black, chocolate or blue, depending on alleles at other genes. Therefore black, chocolate, and blue dogs could be either K^B/K^B or K^B/k^y. A DNA test to determine this is available for $65.00.

All dogs that are fawn, patterned sable or "with tan points" are k^y/k^y.

"Flowered" in Shar-Pei is the term used to denote white spotting. "Flowered" is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait in this breed. A DNA test to detect carriers of "flowered" or the s^p allele is available for an extra cost of $20 if any other color allele is tested or $65 if tested alone.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT:
The alleles at the K, A, and E locus were identified by a collaborative research project between the labs of Dr. Greg Barsh at the Stanford University and Dr. Sheila Schmutz at the University of Saskatchewan, who also identified the B locus alleles. Many dogs owners helped by contributing either individual samples or samples from complete litters.

BREED STANDARDS FOR COAT & NOSE COLORS:

American Kennel Club:
Only solid colors and sable are acceptable and are to be judged on an equal basis. A solid color dog may have shading, primarily darker, down the back and on the ears. The shading must be variations of the same body color and may include darker hairs throughout the coat.
The following colors are disqualifications:
Albino; Not a solid color, i.e.: Brindle; Parti-colored; Spotted; Patterned in any combination of colors.

Canadian Kennel Club:
Only solid colours and sable are acceptable and are to be judged on equal basis. A solid coloured dog may have shading, primarily darker down the back and on the ears. The shading must be variations of the same body colour (except in sables) and may include darker hairs throughout the coat. A pigmented dog may have a darker mask on the face.
The following colors are disqualifications:
Not a solid colour, i.e. Albino; Brindle; Parti-coloured (patches); spotted (including spots, ticked or roaning); Tan-Pointed Pattern (including typical black and tan or saddled patterns or shading that has a defined pattern i.e. distinct butterfly pattern on the chest).

LINKS:
-http://homepage.usask.ca/~schmutz/Shar-Pei.html

SAMPLES:
One type of sample can be submitted for this DNA test: a blood sample in a lavender (EDTA) tube.
Blood can be collected by your veterinarian or a licensed veterinary technician and must be submitted with the HealthGene's submission form (download submission form).
HealthGene does not supply sample collection kits since your veterinarian will have the necessary supplies.
Collect 3ml of blood in a lavender (EDTA) tube from the dog. Do not freeze the sample at any time. Refrigeration is recommended if the sample will not be shipped on the day that it is collected.
Use the following couriers to ship samples to the laboratory:
1. Federal Express requires the outer rigid package be at least 7 x 4 x 2 inches in size. If it is smaller, it must be inserted into a plastic "Diagnostic Specimen Envelope" provided by them.
2. DHL Express requires the package be inserted into their green bag "lab pac". You should request one when you schedule a pick-up.

TEST RESULTS:
Test results are usually available in 10 business days from the moment the samples arrive at the laboratory. Test results can be reported by e-mail, fax, or by phone.

CERTIFICATION OF RESULTS:
HealthGene will provide a certificate for each test result.