Korthals Griffon coat colour anomaly explained

The Korthals Griffon has always been highly prized for their hunt, point and retrieve abilities because they are so versatile in the field, but they have also found a fanbase in a home environment too. They are a handsome, distinguished looking breed with their athletic, well-balanced appearance and attractive coat colours. However, a colour coat anomaly has been found in certain pedigree bloodlines. The breed is “rough coated” and under the breed standard should have a very specific coat colour and pattern. Studies have shown that certain lines appear compromised although why this is remains unknown.

Yellow/tan colour anomaly

Some pedigree lines of the Korthals Griffon are born with a coat colour anomaly which see dogs with a yellow/tan coat which is referred to as tan point which has never been in the breed’s original “standard” in their native Germany nor is it an acceptable colour under the Kennel Club standard either.

Identifying dogs with the coat colour anomaly

Fortunately, there is a simple DNA test available which identifies lines that carry the anomaly in their genetics. It is called a DNA K-Locus/Colour of coat test which establishes whether a Korthals Griffon has the “y” indicator.

The test results explained

The DNA test is painless and quick identifying whether a Korthals Griffon is a “carrier of yellow/tan” or not. The results would be shown as follows:

• KB/ky – carriers of yellow/tan
• Ky/ky – carrier with yellow/tan pattern and markings

The ideal result should come out KB/KB which means that a Korthals Griffon does not carry the anomaly or has a yellow/tan coat. Dogs that come back KB/ky or ky/ky would pass the anomaly on to their offspring.

Breeding advice

All reputable Korthals Griffon breeders would have their stud dogs tested for the anomaly and only use KB/KB sires and KB/KB dams in their breeding programmes. Any dogs or puppies where the results come back as them carrying “ky” should not be used for breeding purposes which is the only way of preventing them from passing the anomaly on to future offspring. This is especially important in the UK where the gene pool for the Korthals Griffon remains low.

All prospective owners should ask breeders to show them the results of DNA colour of coat/K-Locus tests and breeders should make sure that any dogs purchased from abroad have been tested for the anomaly and that they are not “ky”.