Does the amount of white in a puppies coat mean that is more likely to have health issues?

Answer 1

that depends on the breed...in some cases, the display of white is due to a certain gene that may affect other things such as blindness, sterilty etc....genetics is a very complicated field.

Answer 2

The amount of white has nothing to do with health, although a totally/almost all white dog with pink skin can be deaf and it can also have eye problems and is likely to have skin sensitivities..

The amount of white isn't the issue in deafness/eye issues and sensativities it is the color of the skin under the white. If a dog is all white but has dark skin then it won't have an issue, but if it has pink skin it most likely will.

Small areas of white with pink aren't an issue either.

White Dobermans, Danes, Boxers usually lack the dark pigment so they are most often deaf/blind and have skin sensativities.

Answer 3

In Dalmatians it does. The more white, the higher the chance of the dog being deaf. You want about a 50/50 color pattern. A Dal that is say 90% white is quite possibly deaf.

Also with Dobermans, who were never intended to be white, but some fools started breeding whites and selling them for big $$. White dobies have a wealth of health and skin problems. There are other breeds with similar issues.

Also, some breeds have what is called a "lethal white" gene, and if they get it, they'll be solid white and will usually die in utro or shortly after birth.

Answer 4

In SOME breeds, yes. The more white a Dalmation is, the more likely it is to be deaf. Less spots & small spots (dime size or less) seem to be nature's indicators of hearing problems. Blue Merle pattern breeds with white also have higher incidences of deafness (Australian Shepherds, Collies).

White Boxers & Doberman Pinschers are more likely to be deaf than their normally colored littermates, also.

But Samoyeds & West Highland White Terriers do not have these problems tied to their white color.

For more info: http://www.offa.org/deafgeninfo.html

Answer 5

Nope
Health problems associated with a white coat is in those that are albino, to be a true albino must have totally white coat and pink skin with both eyes blue. Albino's tend to be deaf and are more likely to have cleft palate and in the case of boxers develop cancer.
If they have white ear tips and nose need to be careful in sun as they will get skin cancer (squarmous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas.

Answer 6

I've heard that if they are white they are more pure or something causing them to be sick more often. I don't know if it is true,but I will tell you that I have had a number of small dogs of various breeds and the white one I had was always getting sick and always needed enemas because it was constipated and it's eyes were always draining from allergies.

Answer 7

Some health problems, in some breeds, are linked to lack of pigmentation (not coat color).

Answer 8

Ummm yea right. What about all white dogs???? Oh my goodness I have had two white dogs that lived long full lives. Its a myth forget about it

Answer 9

all pure white dogs are usually deaf or blind. this includes cats too. but if the breed is supposed to be white your probably fine. a little white doesn't mean anything.

Answer 10

no. the color of the dog doesn't mean anything about its health.