color breeding

possible color outcomes in Chow Chow breeding

We looked at the color genes on the previous page, on this page are possible breeding outcomes:

black

From a black × black breeding, all colors are possible (if the parents carry the particular genes for those colors).
This is the same for black × red, black × blue, black × fawn (cinnamon) and black × cream.

Black pups are easy to recognise, when they just born and wet they are shiny black, and all dried up too.

red

As described above a red × black breeding can give all colors.
Red × red can give red, fawn (cinnamon) and cream.
Red × blue can give all colors.
Red × fawn (cinnamon) can give red, fawn (cinnamon) and cream.
Red × cream can give all colors.

Red pups are often dark at birth, when they are dry, the color can be light red, dark red or darkbrown. Somtimes they have a black mask at birth; however, this fades away as they mature.

blue

As described above blue × black and blue × red can give all colors.
Blue × blue can give blue and fawn (cinnamon) and possibly cream if the parents carry the particular genes.
Blue × fawn (cinnamon) can give blue and fawn (cinnamon) (and maybe cream too).
Blue × cream can give all colors.

Blue pups are gray at birth, when they are dry they are blue-gray. Their ears and nails are dark.

fawn (cinnamon)

As described above fawn × black can give all colors; fawn × red: red, fawn and cream; fawn × blue: blue, fawn and maybe cream.
Fawn × fawn can give fawn and probably cream.
Fawn × cream can give blue, fawn and cream.
Fawn (cinnamon) pups can look a lot like blues at birth, both can look gray. There are "red-fawns" (red-cinnamon) and "blue-fawns" (blue-cinnamon). The red-fawn pups are silver-red to a sand color, sometimes with a blue mask. Blue-fawn looks a lot like a blue, but has a pinkish color on the cheeks and the back of the forepaws.

cream

As described above cream × black, cream × red and cream × blue can give all colors.
Creme × fawn (cinnamon) can give blue, fawn (cinnamon) and cream.
Cream × cream gives normally cream, but there are a few cases of black.

Cream pups are easy to recognise, usually white with darker (light red) ears.

websites color genetics

Genetics of Coat Color in Dogs http://homepage.usask.ca/~schmutz/dogcolors.html
Canine Genetics Primer http://www.tenset.co.uk/doggen/indexus.html
Canine Color Genetics http://bowlingsite.mcf.com/Genetics/ColorGen.html
Coat Color http://www.chromadane.com/standardcoat.htm

Books color genetics

Clarence C. Little, The Inheritance of Coat Color in Dogs
Roy Robinson, Genetics for Dog Breeders
Malcom B. Willis, Genetics of the Dog
Malcom B. Willis, Practical Genetics for Dog Breeders

Thanks Vita Texla Chow Chows and Peter Wellinga for the first photo, thanks John and Kim Tansek from Forestway Chows for the second photo.