EURASIER COAT COLOURS
The Eurasier comes in many coat colours. Due to the foundation of the breed, a variety of coat colour genes were included, resulting in the variety we see today.
The University of Saskatchewan conducted a study of Eurasier coat colour genetics, and determined that it is the only breed that carries all four A-Locus alleles: Sable (Ay), Agouti (Aw), Black & Tan (At) and Recessive Black (A); along with three versions of the E-Locus: Mask Extension (Em), Normal Extension (E, no mask) and Recessive White (e). The Eurasier is also known to carry the spotting gene (sp) and liver gene, however these are fairly rare. The Eurasier can also vary in the amount of red pigmentation, ranging from very pale cream to very bright red and everything in between. This is controlled by the newly identified Intensity Locus. Some Eurasiers also possess "urajiro" colouring, most commonly seen in the Japanese dog breeds. In the Eurasier, this is known as "reverse mask". The Eurasier can also vary in how much black "overlay" is present on sable and agouti coats, however the genetics of this has not yet been established.
As you can imagine, with so much variety in genes as well as their expression, each Eurasier ends up looking a little bit different, even if they have the same colour genetics. While many people have a colour preference, because each Eurasier can look unique, you often end up loving the colour you have the best!
Dark Red
Light Red or Cream Red
Red or Red Cream
Cream
Cream Grey
RED & CREAM (AY)
This is the most "dominant" Eurasier colour. Here are some examples of the expression of this coat colour with some of the key variants represented, however each individual will vary.
The pheomelanin (red) pigment intensity can range from a very bright red (top left) to very pale cream (bottom middle) and everything in between. Red and cream dogs are genetically "sable" and will therefore have varying amounts of black tipped guard hairs along the dog's back and shoulders. In some dogs, there is minimal black shading, but can be confirmed by checking that the whiskers are black.
As with all Eurasier coat colours, red and cream dogs may have a black mask of varying intensities, no mask or a "reverse" mask.
Agouti
Light Agouti
Grey
Light Grey
AGOUTI & GREY (AW)
This is the second most "dominant" Eurasier colour. Here are some examples of the expression of this coat colour with some of the key variants represented, however each individual will vary.
The pheomelanin (red) pigment intensity can range from very bright (agouti) to very pale (grey). Agouti and grey dogs are genetically "agouti" and will therefore have banded hairs, meaning black and "red" pigment alternates along the hair shaft. This banding creates a characteristic coat pattern that distinguishes it from the "sable" colours. The black shading will be all over the body, rather than just on the back, including on the forehead, neck and down the legs.
As with all Eurasier coat colours, red and cream dogs may have a black mask of varying intensities, no mask or a "reverse" mask.
Black and Tan
Black and Cream
Black and Silver
Black
BLACK & TAN (AT) & RECESSIVE BLACK (A)
These are the more "recessive" Eurasier colour, with solid black being the most recessive.
In the black and tan, the pheomelanin (red) pigment intensity can vary, which creates variation in the shade of the tan points. The amount of visible tan can also vary due to the presence of a mask. Heavily masked black and tan can sometimes appear almost solid black, as the mask will also cover the points on the dog's chest and paws in some cases.
Recessive black will always appear black.
Recessive White
White Spotting
Pinto
Liver
NON-STANDARD COLOURS
These colours are naturally occurring in the Eurasier breed, but are considered disqualifying faults and not eligible for show or breeding. These are modifying genes that can occur on any of the base A-locus colour varieties.
Recessive white is the same gene found in the Samoyed. These dogs generally appear to be white in colour, but may have varying amounts of "biscuit" or cream shading, causing some to believe their white dog is cream. However recessive white can be confirmed by a lack of black pigment, particularly white whiskers, and often a flesh coloured nose.
White spotting can range from asymmetrical white markings on the chest, chin and paws to a true pinto, with half or more of the coat being white.
Liver is a dilution of the typical black gene, causing all the areas of the coat that would be black to turn brown.