Cockapoos are known for their delightful personalities, intelligence, and charming looks, with coat colour being a significant contributor to their visual appeal. In addition, Cockapoos inherit the low-to-no-shed tendenciy from their Poodle ancestors, which means they are often hypo-allergenic.* Behind the beautiful array of coat colours lies a fascinating world of genetics that determines the shades, patterns, and variations we see in these lovable dogs. In addition, genetics control eight disorders known to affect Cockapoos. This article explores the realm of Cockapoo genetics, unraveling the science behind their coat colours and health.

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There are a few terms we need to understand before we get into the specific details affecting Cockapoos.

 

Locus - In genetics, a "locus" (plural: "loci") refers to the specific physical location of a gene or a particular sequence on a chromosome. Each gene in an organism's genome is situated at a distinct locus on one of the chromosomes. These loci are precisely defined and can vary in size, ranging from a single base pair to a longer sequence of DNA.

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Allele - One of two or more versions of a gene that can occupy a specific location on a chromosome. Alleles are responsible for the variations in traits or characteristics that can be passed from one generation to the next in living organisms, such as humans, animals, and plants. Each individual typically inherits one allele for a particular gene from each of their parents, resulting in a pair of alleles for each gene in their genetic makeup. These alleles may be either dominant or recessive, and they can determine the expression of a particular trait or feature in an organism. The combination of alleles an individual carries can influence their phenotype, which is the observable characteristics or traits they exhibit.

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Dominant - In genetics, "dominant" refers to one of the two main categories of alleles associated with a particular gene. A dominant allele is one that will be expressed or observed as a trait in an organism when it is present in just one copy (heterozygous) along with a recessive allele, overriding the expression of the recessive allele. In other words, the presence of a dominant allele typically masks or "dominates" the presence of the corresponding recessive allele.

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Autosomal Recessive - A term used in genetics to describe a pattern of inheritance for a specific trait or genetic disorder that is carried on autosomal chromosomes (non-sex chromosomes) and is characterized by the recessive expression of the associated allele. In autosomal recessive inheritance:

1. An Affected individual typically carries two copies of the mutant allele (homozygous) responsible for the trait or disorder.

2. Heterozygous individuals, who carry one normal (wild-type) allele and one mutant allele, are usually unaffected Carriers. They do not exhibit the trait or disorder but can pass the mutant allele to their offspring.

3. Affected individuals often result from the mating of two Carrier (heterozygous) parents, where there is a 25% chance of having an Affected child with a homozygous mutant genotype.

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Homozygous - Refers to a condition in which two alleles at a given Locus are identical, with one inherited from each parent.

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Heterozygous - Refers to a condition where the two alleles at a given Locus are different.

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Eumelanin and Phaeomelanin - In Cockapoos and other dog breeds, eumelanin refers to a type of melanin pigment responsible for the black or chocolate colouration in their coat. Eumelanin is one of the two primary types of melanin found in dog hair, with the other being phaeomelanin, responsible for reddish, yellow and cream colouration. The presence and distribution of eumelanin in a Cockapoo's coat are influenced by their genetic makeup, which is inherited from their parent breeds, typically the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle.

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*No breeder can guarantee a specific puppy won't trigger allergies in humans. Most people that have allergic reactions to dogs are reacting to hair, dander or saliva. Low shedding breeds such as Cockapoos produce less dander and generally only lose hair to brushing and pulling. Dander is mostly made of of dead skin cells that slough off from a dog, but this can have proteins from dried saliva from the dog grooming itself.

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Coat Colours

Cockapoo coat colours have captivated dog lovers for years, showcasing a diverse and often intriguing range of hues. In this article, we'll delve into the genetics behind the palette of colours seen in Cockapoos, providing a straightforward look at how these charming canines inherit and express their coat traits. Understanding the genetic basis of Cockapoo coat colours can shed light on the unpredictability and variety that makes this breed so unique.

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E-Locus - The alleles found at this Locus have a significant impact on a Cockapoo's coat colour, so we address it first. Whilst there are six known alleles in dogs for the E-Locus, only three of them are found in Cockapoos and we will ignore the others. Here are these three values ranked in order of dominance: E > eH > e

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E is the normal extension, eH is the Cocker Sable allele and e is recessive red. If a Cockapoo's E-Locus is e/e, the recessive nature reverses and becomes dominant over all other Loci, such as A, B and K. Any Cockapoo with e/e at their E-Locus will be some variant of red, but this could vary from cream, to apricot, to dark red. The one exception to this is a dog whose E Locus testresults are listed as e, but is actually eH. Only one UK lab, Laboklin, can test for eH, so other labs, like Animal Genetics will not show the Cocker Sable allele at the E-Locus. This is the case for the stud we used for our current litter, Rudy.

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The A-Locus, B-Locus and K-Locus can cause different pigment patterns but they rely on the E-Locus, which has epistatic control over the A,B and K Loci whereby it can interfere with regular pattern expression at these Loci. Depending on what alleles a dog has, the E-Locus can promote, enable, restrict or inhibit eumelanin production in any pattern provided by the A, B and K Loci.

Caramel's E-Locus is e/e and Rudy's is beieved to be e/eH, though Animal Genetics listed him as e/e. The result of breeding these two dogs is that we would expect 50% of the litter to be e/e and have apricot coats and 50% to be e/eH and have sable coats, the colour of which are determined by the alleles each puppy inherits at the A, B and K Loci. This is exactly what occurred, as we have three Apricots and three Sables.

A-Locus - The A-Locus interacts with E-Locus to regulate when and where phaeomelanin or eumelanin will be produced in a pattern. In Cockapoos, different alleles cause either shaded sable, tan points or recessive black, but only in cases where the dog's E-Locus is heterozygous for recessive red, meaning it is any combination other than the e/e or e/eH with an Apricot or Sable coat.

Caramel and Rudy are both homozygous at/at at their A-Locus, which is the allele for tan points. Caramel has tan points, but they don't show since her entire coat is tan. Rudy's presumed eH at his E-Locus gave him a sable coat, but it has lightened as he aged, so his tan points are difficult to see today.

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K-Locus - Also known as the Dominant Black locus, is another genetic locus that plays a role in determining coat colour in Cockapoos and other dog breeds. This locus affects the distribution of eumelanin (black or dark pigmentation) in a dog's coat. The K-Locus has several alleles, each of which has a specific impact on coat colour:

1. KB (Black): The KB allele is dominant and results in a solid black coat. Dogs with at least one KB allele will have a black coat, and the influence of other genes will determine any additional patterns or markings in the coat.

2. kbr (Brindle): The kbr allele is associated with a brindle coat pattern, which is characterized by dark stripes or streaks on a lighter background colour. In Cockapoos, this can result in a brindle pattern, where the dark stripes are typically black, and the lighter background colour varies.

3. ky (Yellow): The ky allele leads to a yellow or red coat colour, primarily due to the production of pheomelanin (yellow or red pigment) rather than eumelanin (black or dark pigment). This allele can result in shades of red, yellow, or cream in Cockapoo coats.

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Caramel's K-Locus is n/kbr, meaning she carries one allele for the brindle coat; however, because her E-Locus is e/e, it overrides her K-Locus and gives her an Apricot coat. Rudy was not tested for K-Locus.

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B-Locus - Dogs that are homozygous recessive at the B-Locus (b/b) will express brown instead of black pigment. This affects all the eumelanin in a dog’s coat as well as the colour of skin spots, nose, footpads, lips, eye rims or nails which will be brown (liver, chocolate).

Both Caramel and Rudy's B-Locus are B/b. This means that about 25% of their puppies will be chocolate; however, it will only show up in a puppy that inherits Rudy's Cocker sable eH allele. Pup 1 is the only one in the current litter that shows evidence of being chocolate (b/b), but instead of being solid chocolate, he is a phantom chocolate due to the effect of the Cocker sable allele at his E-Locus. Pups 4 and 5 are also phantom sables, but their K-Locus seems to have a dominant black allele and their B-Locus is not b/b.

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D-Locus - A mutation at the Dilution-Locus can cause a colour dilution of black or brown pigment. If a dog is homozygous recessive (d/d) at the D-Locus he can only produce eumelanin that is either blue (diluted black) or lilac/isabella (diluted brown). These coats are common in Weimaraners. The exact shade of a diluted coat is determined by the K or B Loci.

Caramel is D/D on her D-Locus, so none of her puppies will ever have a diluted coat regardless of the sire's D-Locus. Rudy wasn't tested for D-Locus.

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Merle - Merle causes irregular patches of diluted pigment in all eumelanin-pigmented areas. Merle creates random patterns but different allelic combinations can result in some distinct phenotypes. Breeding a dog with two Merle alleles (homozygous Merle) can lead to serious health risks and potential ethical concerns. The Merle gene is responsible for the Merle coat pattern, characterized by patches of diluted colour (usually with dark spots on a lighter background). While this pattern is aesthetically pleasing and has gained popularity in certain breeds, it carries a risk known as "double Merle" or "homozygous Merle" that can result in several health issues, including: Blindness and deafness, skin and eye problems, congenital defects of the heart, skeleton and cleft palate, and a reduced lifespan. It is highly unetjical to breed two dogs that carry a merle allele, as 25% of the litter will be double Merle.

Caramel is n/n for Merle, so she'll never pass a Merle coat allele to any of her puppies. Rudy was not tested, but having seen many photos of his puppies and only one Merle, I assume that allele was from the bitch and Rudy is probably m/m.

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S-Locus - This is the Parti allele. The values are S and sP, though some labs substitute n for S. Dogs with sP/sP will be mostly white. Dogs with S/sP can be up to about 50% white.

Caramel is n/n (or S/S) and Rudy is n/sP (or S/sP). About 25% of Rudy's offsprig tend to have small white patches, but nowhere near 50% white.
 

Furnishings - This is the term for the long hair on the side of a Cockapoo's nose, which basically looks sort of like a moustache. Caramel is fully furnished, meaning she has two alleles for furnishings, F/F. Rudy wasn't tested for this, but based on his appearance, he seems to be F/F.

Caramel carries one copy of the shedding allele, which most likely is from her Cocker Spaniel ancestors; however, she is an extremely low shedding dog. We don't find much dog hair in our house and we don't have carpet, so if she shedded a lot, we'd have furballs when we sweep and dustmop. Brushing her will pull some hair out, but it doesn't tend to fall out on it's own.

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Cockapoo Breed-Specific Health Concerns

The Importance of DNA Health Tests in Dog Breeding
Dog breeding is a practice that has been intertwined with human culture for centuries, driven by our desire to create and maintain specific breeds with distinct characteristics. While the aesthetics and temperament of a breed are undoubtedly essential considerations, the health of the dogs involved in breeding is equally paramount. In recent years, DNA health tests have emerged as an invaluable tool for responsible dog breeders. This article explores the crucial reasons why it is important for dog breeders to use DNA health tests before breeding dogs.
 

Cockapoos, like many dog breeds, can be susceptible to a range of health issues and diseases. It is crucial for Cockapoo owners and breeders to be aware of these conditions to ensure their dogs receive the best possible care. Responsible and ethical breeders have their dogs’ DNA samples tested or else Clear them by inheritance for the common diseases known to affect the breed. When a dog is Clear of a disease by inheritance, it means that both of that dog’s parents have tested Clear of the responsible genes and therefore the dog can't inherit the genetic mutations responsible for that specific disease and can't pass it on. It's not necessary to test a dog for an inheritable disease when both of its parents have tested Clear, but many bitches are never tested and their owners simply utilise Clear studs to ensure the puppies will not be Affected.

There are eight disorders known to Affect Cockapoos, six of which can come from the Cocker Spaniel lineage and four of which can come from the Poodle lineage. PRA-prcd and DM are common to both parental breeds. Most of these disorders are autosomal recessive (see descriptions that follow). When a dog has genetic tests completed to screen for genetic disorders, there are three possible outcomes:

Clear (Normal): Dogs with two copies of the normal gene are considered Clear of the tested disorder and will not develop the disease. They also do not pass on the faulty gene to their offspring.


Carrier: Dogs with one normal gene and one copy of the mutant gene are Carriers of the tested disorder. Carriers themselves do not typically develop the disease but can pass on the faulty gene to their offspring. The probability that each offspring will inherit the mutated gene is 50% when one parent Carries one copy. Breeding two Carriers should be avoided, as it can result in Affected puppies.


 

Affected: Dogs with two copies of the mutant gene are Affected by the tested disorder and are very likely to eventually develop the disease. It is essential to avoid breeding Affected dogs to prevent passing on the faulty gene to the next generation.

The following is an overview of the eight disorders for which Cockapoos are typically tested. The first four come from the Cocker Spaniel lineage. The fifth and sixth, PRA-prcd and DM affect both Cocker Spaniels, Poodles and their Cockapoo offspring. The seventh and eighth ones come from the Poodle lineage:

1. Acral Mutilation Syndrome: AMS is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder, which means that a dog must inherit two copies of the defective gene (one from each parent). AMS affects sensation in the extremities of dogs. Also known as "lick granuloma," this behavioral issue can lead to self-mutilation, often manifested by excessive licking or chewing of a particular area, typically on the limbs. The underlying causes can be complex, including anxiety, boredom, or allergies.


 

2. Exercise-Induced Collapse: EIC is an autosomal recessive hereditary condition where Affected dogs can collapse during or after intense exercise. EIC episodes generally occur after 5-25 minutes of extreme exercise. Not all types of exercise can induce an attack; generally the dog must be actively running and excited for an extended period of time. It is crucial to manage the activity levels of Affected dogs and to avoid strenuous exercise to prevent episodes.


 

3. Familial Nephropathy: FN is an autosomal recessive hereditary kidney disease that can lead to renal failure in Affected dogs, who are born with an abnormal structure in the walls of their kidneys and are unable to remove waste products from their blood through urination. Early detection and management, including dietary adjustments, can help prolong the dog's life and maintain kidney function.


 

4. Phosphofructokinase Deficiency: PFKD is an autosomal recessive genetic condition that affects energy metabolism, resulting in exercise intolerance and muscle cramping. This metabolic disorder does not allow the PFK enzyme to function properly, affecting the energy-producing glycolytic (blood sugar) cycle and destroying red blood cells in the process. A lack of oxygen-carrying red blood cells and blood glucose leads the dog to experience anemia and exercise intolerance. Genetic testing helps identify Carriers to prevent breeding Affected puppies.


 

5. Progressive Retinal Atrophy - Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration: PRA-prcd is one type of PRA hereditary eye disease and it can affect Cocker Spaniels, Cockapoos and Poodles, as well as many other dog breeds. The other forms or PRA don’t impact Cockapoos and are not addressed here. This condition primarily impacts the retina, leading to gradual degeneration of the rod and cone photoreceptor cells, which eventually leads to blindness. PRA-prcd is an autosomal recessive disorder, which means that a dog must inherit two copies of the defective gene (one from each parent) to develop the disease. Genetic testing for PRA-prcd is available, and it provides crucial information for breeders and owners. PRA-prcd is the most common of these eight disorders and it is fairly common for breeders to mate bitches that have one copy of the gene to Clear studs. In the case of certain rare breeds, it is deemed necessary to mate Carriers since cutting them from breeding programs limits the available genetic diversity of all their other alleles from the gene pool.

Caramel is a Carrier of the gene for PRA-prcd; however, as this is an autosomal recessive gene, she will never be Affected by this disorder, nor will any of her offspring so long as she is only bred to a stud that is Clear of PRA-prcd, such as Rudy.

6. Degenerative Myelopathy: DM is a progressive neurological disease that affects the spinal cord, leading to weakness, loss of coordination, and eventually paralysis. DM is a recessive disorder; however, symptoms can present themselves even with one copy of the defective gene. If a dog has one copy of DM, they can still develop DM symptoms. It is also important to note that some dogs with two copies of the gene don’t develop symptoms, but the chance they will is higher. While it is more commonly associated with certain larger breeds, it can occur in Cocker Spaniels and Cockapoos.

7. Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures (NEwS): NEwS is a genetic disorder that typically presents in puppies within the first two weeks of life. It leads to seizures and other neurological issues. Responsible breeders screen for NEwS to avoid breeding Affected dogs.


 

8. Von Willebrand's Disease Type 1: This is a hereditary bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency in von Willebrand factor, a blood clotting protein. Affected dogs may bleed excessively from minor injuries or surgeries.


It is essential to note that NOT ALL Cockapoos will develop these conditions, and responsible breeding practices can help reduce the risk. Regular veterinary check-ups, a balanced diet, proper exercise, and early detection through genetic testing are essential components of Cockapoo care. Additionally, Cockapoo owners should be vigilant about observing any changes in their dog's health and behaviour and seek prompt veterinary attention when needed to ensure the best possible quality of life for their beloved pets.

Conclusion
In the world of dog breeding, the utilization of DNA health tests has emerged as a crucial practice for responsible breeders. These tests provide a scientific and ethical framework for safeguarding the health and genetic diversity of dog breeds. By preventing hereditary diseases, ensuring genetic diversity, promoting transparency, and upholding ethical standards, DNA health tests contribute to the well-being of dogs and the preservation of cherished breeds for generations to come. Responsible breeders who embrace these tests are not only advancing the welfare of individual dogs but also elevating the breeding community as a whole.