Problem Pedigrees: Old Problems, New Tools

“You Think He’s What Color????”

- Lucy Drury

Recently, a judge told an exhibitor at a show that her blue lynx point Siberian kitten appeared to be a blue-silver lynx point. Calling attention to the white banding at the roots of the kitten’s fur, the judge suggested that a change be made to its color description.

Although extremely knowledgeable about genetics, the exhibitor (an experienced dog breeder), was somewhat rattled by her first “Owner?” call to the ring. She immediately contacted the breeder, who told her that silver was impossible: Neither parent was silver, and the white must have come from the kitten’s white spotting. “Did you change the color?,” the breeder asked. “No,“ was the reply. The breeder resolved to pursue the color issue with the judge herself at the earliest opportunity.

However, word soon came that a second judge had questioned the kitten’s color. The perceived color was the same—blue-silver lynx point. The breeder was quite puzzled. Both judges were very experienced and knowledgeable about color genetics and had independently come to the same conclusion about the kitten’s color. Surely they were just seeing the white spotting?

The breeder then had a sudden realization: There was actually no white spotting trait involved! The kitten being shown was registered as a blue lynx point and had very dark paw pads. It was his sister—who had been sold as pet—who had white paws. So, there was definitely some issue with the pedigree. The breeder owned both parents, and neither one was a silver … or WAS it?

“Hi, Ho, Silver?”