DISRUPTIVE OR PROBLEMATIC
GENES
swsw = white
(sw) held in
double dose will produce an all white dog, as seen in the Whippet, Chihuahua
and Greyhound or the dog may retain some head markings. These head markings
are dependent on other breed specific pattern genes as in the case of the
Smooth and Toy Fox Terrier. The actions of all (sw) genes are to remove
color. Because it is recessive in nature and tends to hide itself, when
repeatedly bred over a period of time, the magnificent variety of colors
seen in today's rat will be threatened unless the effects of this gene
are controlled.
ebr = brindle
Brindle produces
a Tiger Stripe pattern with multiple color hairs intertwined. It is not
a color that is usually seen, is dominant in nature, difficult to eliminate
and should not be reintroduced. Most Rat Terrier breeders have excluded
it from their breeding program.
There have been
reports that some Rat Terriers born black, turn red over a period of time.
This is due to the action of the (G) gene and is not commonly found in
the breed.
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