What is blue dog syndrome?
Javonte Wisozk
2025-06-23 03:41:17
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Color dilution alopecia (CDA) is a hereditary condition that causes itchy, flaky skin and patches of thinning hair in dogs with a 'dilute' coat color. Dilute coat colors include fur considered blue (diluted from black) or light fawn (also known as Isabella, diluted from liver or chocolate-covered coats). This condition is also referred to as Blue Dog Disease. Dogs with dilute coat colours have a recessive gene that leads to the dilution of pigments in their skin, coat, and eyes. This genetic anomaly can change the structure and function of a dog's hair follicles, resulting in hair loss and skin problems. CDA can cause itchy, uncomfortable skin and patchy hair loss. Dogs with CDA often seem to have normal, healthy fur as puppies but start to develop signs of the condition at about six months of age. Not all dogs with dilute coat colors will develop CDA, and the severity of the condition can vary in dogs that do have it.
Kasey Stanton
2025-06-11 00:40:48
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One of these diseases, colour dilution alopecia (CDA), also known as blue dog or blue Doberman syndrome, is becoming more and more relevant. Colour dilution is recognised according to the FCI breed standard for the last three. Blue (charcoal) and lilac (silver) are based on a dilution of colour often associated with colour dilution alopecia. This condition causes progressive alopecia due to an alteration in the formation and storage of pigments in the hair. It is caused by a genetic variant of the dilute gene. Dilute means “attenuated” and refers to the lightening of black pigment to blue or brown pigment to lilac. The altered refraction of light results in an attenuated (diluted) colour tone (black becomes blue, brown becomes lilac). Classically, CDA is particularly well known in the blue Doberman.
Harmony Crona
2025-06-10 23:44:15
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Color-dilution alopecia is a relatively uncommon hereditary skin disease seen in "Blue" and other color-diluted dogs. This syndrome is associated with a color-dilution gene. The initial clinical signs are the gradual onset of a dry, dull and poor hair coat quality. Hair shafts and hair regrowth are poor, and follicular papules may develop and progress to frank comedones. Hair loss and comedo formation are usually most severe on the trunk, especially color-diluted area on the skin. Histopathologically, the epidermis is relatively normal but may be hyperplastic. Hair follicles are characterized by atrophy and distortion. Heavily clumped melanin is present in the epidermis, dermis and hair follicles.
Elouise Oberbrunner
2025-06-10 23:43:49
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There is only ONE *potential* health issue related to a dog being blue. This one *potential* health issue is a condition called Color Dilution Alopecia, or CDA. CDA is a disease that reduces the melanin in the fur so much that the fur becomes brittle and is prone to breaking and falling out, creating bald spots or patches in the coat. There is no cure for CDA and there is no genetic test available for this disease. The likelihood of your pup developing health issues has to do with the level of care a breeder is taking in testing for testable health issues and not breeding dogs that are affected with untestable health issues like allergies or other skin issues. ANY color of Stafford can have allergies or skin issues. A blue Stafford's risk of other health issues unrelated to being blue is exactly the same as any other color of Stafford. Being blue in and of itself does NOT predispose a dog to more health issues than other colors of Staffords.
Una Green
2025-06-10 21:13:45
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Blue dog syndrome is caused by the dilution mutation (dog's coat, but also the skin, have a dark to light grey colour). This can also lead to severe health problems such as colour dilution alopecia (CDA - dilution colour-related hair loss). This results in a dry, dull and poor coat quality with hair loss and skin lesions increasing with age. See: Blue/Silver (Coat colour D-Locus Dog)
Clare Fay
2025-06-10 20:50:29
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Color dilution alopecia (CDA), also known as Blue Dog Disease, is a hereditary condition that causes patches of thinning hair and itchy flaky skin in dogs with a 'dilute' coat color. Dilute coat colors include fur considered blue (diluted from black) or light fawn (diluted from liver or chocolate-colored coats). Dogs with CDA often appear to have normal, healthy fur as puppies but begin to develop signs of the condition at around six months of age. CDA is primarily caused by genetic factors. Dogs with dilute coat colors possess a recessive gene that results in the dilution of pigments in their coat, skin, and eyes. This genetic alteration can affect the structure and function of the dog's hair follicles, leading to hair loss and skin problems. CDA can leave your dog with patchy hair loss, and uncomfortable, itchy skin.
Nathaniel Borer
2025-06-10 19:07:37
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The condition is associated with individuals who have what is called a “dilute” color and is most commonly seen in dogs with a blue or fawn coat. These puppies are born with a normal-looking hair coat, and the clinical signs of CDA may begin to manifest at six months of age or older. Color-dilute individuals carry a recessive color gene and demonstrate blue, blueish grey, lavender, or flesh-colored lips, noses, and eyelids. While the disorder has been commonly described in blue Dobermans, it has been recognized in other breeds as well. Dogs with CDA tend to have abnormalities in the hair follicles themselves, causing them to self-destruct, making it impossible for them to grow new hairs. The actual cause of CDA is poorly understood.