Intensity & Filtering Genes
.png)
Light
Plain and simply; white. It is indicated by 'II' on the Intensity Locus (or 'I-Locus'), 'CeCe' on the Filtering Locus (or 'C-Locus') or 'SS' on the Colour Locus (or K-Locus).
On the I-Locus; the gene suppresses the coat's ability to produce pigment. So even if a canine has 'dominant black' ('KK') genes, the appearance of this gene will totally recolour any and all colouring.
On the C-Locus; only the base colour is affected, not the markings.
Colour may be darkened when combined with other intensities (example; 'II/intint' or 'II/ii').
Shade may be altered when combined with other genes (example; 'ce/cch').
.png)
Medium-Light
Known as 'Wheaton', 'Biscuit', 'Platinum', 'Light Cream' or 'off-white'. The shades of this colour are represented by 'iI', and/or 'CchCe', all genes allow the subtle expression of some black or red pigment in the coat.
May be lightened when paired with white intensities, or darkened with other genes.
.png)
Medium
Known as 'Cream', or 'Fawn', represented on the I-Locus by 'Ii', and on the C-Locus by 'CCe'.
Both genes allow a moderate amount of pigment to be expressed.
May be lightened or darkened when combined with other intensities.
.png)
Medium-Dark
Known as 'Yellow', 'Gold', 'Sable', 'Tan' and everything in between! Represented by 'ii' on the I-Locus, 'CchCch' on the C-Locus, or 'ay' on the A-Locus.
Allows a 'normal' amount of pigment to be expressed.
The colour may be lightened or darkened when combined with any of the other filters and intensities.
.png)
Dark
Known as 'Chocolate' or 'Rich Red'. It is responsible for the darkest shades of colour in a canine's coat. On the I-Lous, it is represented by 'intint', or 'CC' on the C-Locus.
It may be combined with any of the below genes to be made lighter (I-Locus) or for different, richer shades (C-Locus).
A Brief rundown
-The I-Locus controls the colour intensity or 'vibrancy'.
-The C-Locus controls what shade of colour a canine is.
-Canines can have 1, both, or neither of the filters.
-Only the coat colour is affected by these genes, the features will remain the same colour they originally were (either black, liver, or whatever shade of dilute is applicable).
Sticking to the same genotype we've used so far; 'KK-ee-BB-DD' (in this case, we'll make our canine a 'non-dilute'), we have a 'Red Coated' canine.
If we were to make the genotype;
'KK-ee-BB-DD-CC' we effectively make the 'Recessive Red' colour 'Chocolate' or 'Rich Red'.
If we add an intensity filter to the mix, such as; 'KK-ee-BB-DD-Cc-Ii', we then make the 'Chocolate' colouration a 'Medium' intensity, so not too light, not too dark.
If your canine is 'cc' at the C-Locus (so; 'KK-ee-BB-DD-cc-Ii') they will be an Albino and so will always appear the standard white with pink features.
In the instance of a diluted canine, so; 'KK-ee-BB-dd'.
-Adding 'CC' will make the dilute the darkest shade possible, while 'cece' will make it the lightest shade possible.
-Adding an intensity filter will mask the dilute seen in the coat to an extent but cannot mask the colour of the features (so a blue canine which looks black will still have a blue nose).
Now that you have the basics; let's see how you do on your own!