Re: [pyrnet] Loss of Pigmentation (was Faults?)

["Barb Bowes" <bamb@monmouth.com>]

Just because all white Pyrs are prone to lose pigment, doesn't
mean that it should not be considered a fault. As breeders, we
should strive to correct this problem, even in the all whites. It
is a fault, not a disqualification. Bo finished his championship,
pink nose and all. <G> However, at a Regional Specialty under a
French Judge, who absolutely adored him, he was put back to 2nd
place in his class due to the beginnings of pink showing on his
nose. Some Judges fault it more than others. Interestingly
enough, I had a bitch that was bred 3 times. She was a marked
bitch with a very black nose and the other pigment was excellent
except around the eyes, where it was a bit on the light side. The
first time, she was bred to a marked dog, who had excellent
pigment all the way around. The pigment on the entire litter was
mediocre. The second time she was bred to Bo, all the pigment in
the pups was great, although one all white bitch does get snow
nose in the winter but it fills in nicely once the sun is
stronger. The third time was to Bo's full litter brother who had
a liver colored nose but the rest of his pigment was great,
including his palate. The pigment in that litter was the worst of
all. Bo was only bred the one time, so I do not know if he would
have continued to throw good pigment with other bitches. So you
see, phenotype (what you see) is not always what you get when
breeding (genotype). Bo had the worst pigment but "threw" the
best pigment. When breeding, it is extremely important to know as
much as possible about the bloodlines genetically, so you know
what is there behind the dogs. And no matter how you slice it,
breeding is no better that an educated guess as to what will be
produced overall. But what must be remembered in the show ring is
that ALL dogs have faults. What is a minor fault to me may be a
major fault to the judge on that day. The most important thing is
the whole dog. If there are 2 dogs in the ring who are, in the
Judge's eyes, equal in all aspects, except that one has a poorly
pigmented nose, the one with the better pigment will win. Switch
your dog bowls to stainless steel, and this includes your water
dishes, get the dog out in the sunshine more, and see what
happens.

Barb Bowes
Bo & Chelsea (Pyrs), Flopsy (Pyr Shep) & Machin (Doxie)
The more people I meet, the more I like my dog!
bamb@monmouth.com