Albino

Albinism or being an albino refers to a complete lack of pigmentation in a dog’s skin, hair, and eyes due to a genetic condition.

An albino dog exhibits these characteristics:

• Pure white coat with no pigment at all
• Pink/pale skin due to lack of melanin pigment
• Red/pink eyes with red pupils and red membranes

For example, while extremely rare, there have been cases of albino Doberman Pinschers, which normally have a black coat and dark eyes/nose.

Related terms: Leucistic, albino gene, albino mutation, amelanistic, lack of pigmentation

Additional details:

• Albinism is caused by a genetic mutation affecting melanin production
• Both parents must carry the recessive albino gene to produce albino offspring
• Albinos lack all pigment types – eumelanin and pheomelanin
• They are prone to vision issues and increased risk of skin cancers
• Albino pups may be rejected or abandoned by mothers who can’t recognize them
• Different from leucistic dogs which lack all pigment except in the eyes
• Considered a fault in breed standards due to associated health issues

Here’s what you need to know about albinism in canines:

• Appearance: Dogs with albinism typically have very pale skin and coat colors, ranging from light cream to white. Their eyes may appear light blue to almost white, and due to the absence of pigment in the eye’s reflective tissue, their eyes may reflect red in the light.
• Genetics: The condition is caused by mutations in genes responsible for producing melanin. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning a dog must receive the defective gene from both parents to exhibit the trait.
• Health Considerations: Albinism can lead to vision problems and increased sensitivity to sunlight. Albino dogs are more prone to sunburn and skin cancers and require protection from direct sunlight².
• Breeds Affected: While there’s no specific albino dog breed, certain breeds like Doberman Pinschers, Pugs, and Dachshunds are more likely to have albino individuals.
• Care: Owners of albino dogs need to take special care to manage their exposure to sunlight and protect their sensitive eyes and skin.
• Breed Standards: Albino dogs are not considered part of the breed standard for any breed. For example, albino Doberman Pinschers would not meet the breed standard colors

Albinism in dogs is a unique condition that requires understanding and special care to ensure the well-being of affected canines.

While striking in appearance, albinism is an unwanted trait in purebred dogs as it indicates health problems and a lack of desired breed colors/markings. Ethical breeders avoid producing albino litters.