Blue Min Pins, MPCA Board discussion Excerpt:

To refresh fanciers minds prior to any discussions regarding the Blue Min Pin as we gather at the National, here is a reprint from the 1995 Meeting Minutes.

Reprint from the 1995 Minutes

INFORMATION ON THE BLUE-COATED MINIATURE PINSCHER:

For the past several years, the Officers and Members of the board have requested medical information on blue-coated Miniature Pinschers from those individuals seeking to have the blue coat reinstated as an acceptable color into the breed standard.

In January 1995, documentation was presented to the Officers and Members of the Board by Larry Dewey. The information he received had been submitted by Norma Cacka, Amy Issleib and Kathy Morris. This information included a letter signed by Norma, Amy and Kathy;  a copy of a letter (dated May 30, 1980) to Norma Cacka from then Miniature Pinscher Club of America, Inc., Secretary, Dee Stutts stating: "it is not the intention of the Miniature Pinscher Club of America to ban the blues forever. With selective breeding with sincere breeders and an improvement of the breed of blues over several years, they may be reinstated in the standards."; a copy of the breed standard for Miniature Pinschers from The Complete Dog Book, Pure Bred Dogs: The Recognized Breeds and Standards, copyright 1941 and 1942 by The American Kennel Club, (this standard listed under Color,"... Solid blue or blue toned with red or yellow marking."); color photographs of five blue Miniature Pinschers; the pedigrees of three blue Miniature Pinschers; letters from three veterinarians: Stephen R. Frack of Tustana Animal Hospital (veterinarian for Kathy Morris), Karen I. Bird of Klamath Animal Clinic (veterinarian for Patti Cacka-Williams) and Carol M. Roe of Companion Animal Hospital (veterinarian for Sandra Mestyanek); and the medical records of one stag red, one red, and three blue Miniature Pinschers.

In the medical records provided on the three blue-coated dogs, one dog was tested only for thyroid levels, which were found to be within the normal range. No diagnosis was provided for this dog. The medical records of the other two blue dogs indicated that they were diagnosed with color mutant alopecia. The letters from the above named veterinarians all state that the veterinarians found no health differences among the red, black-and-rust, or blue dogs.

Copies of Charles Robie's letter requesting reinstatement of blue Miniature Pinschers into the breed standard were distributed to the Officers and Members of the Board.

Armando Angelbello previously submitted articles to the Officers and Members of the Board on blue-coated dogs and animals: Small Animal Dermatology by Muller, Kirk and Scott; The New Miniature Pinscher by Sari Brewster Tietjen, pp. 107-116; a book excerpt, the Color of Horses, by Dr. Ben K. Green, pp. 115, 125-126.

Using America Online, Armando requested information from subscribers. He received a response from Mike Richards, D.V.M., a veterinarian host on America Online," I am surprised that the folks you mention could get three vets to sign a letter saying that the blue-coated dogs are just as healthy as the black and tans. It is pretty much accepted that all dogs with blue and other dilute colors are prone to color mutant alopecia, although some will not show clinical signs until 3 year of age or so." Dr. Richards made reference to an article on color mutant alopecia in Small Animal Dermatology, which Armando had previously provided.

Don Longmore requested information about color mutant alopecia from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Senior Veterinary Students Todd Whitney and Julie James, along with Karen A. Moreillo, D.V.M., Diplomate, ACVD, Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology responded with a letter stating: "... affected animals are born with normal haircoats... Only the blue portion of the coat is affected and the alopecia progresses until all portions of the blue coat are affected until three or four years of age.... Color Mutant Alopecia is a hereditary disease that affects color dilute dogs such as blue or fawn haircoats Because of the difficulty in controlling the skin diseases of dogs with blue haircoat, it is recommended that they not be used for breeding."

Vivian Hogan had spoken to four veterinarians (one specializing in dermatology); Dr. William Miller, Jr., of Cornell University (author of an article Don had received from the University of Wisconsin); and Robert W. Dunstan, D.V.M., MS. Pathology Professor at Michigan State University. Dr. Dunstan followed up the conversation with a letter and slides of a Doberman with color mutant alopecia (having almost complete hair loss of the trunk). In his letter, Dr. Dunstan stated: "... I would urge you and your club NOT to accept blue coat coloration in your standards .... I say this because if allowed, you will be promoting the propagation of dogs with a defect that will most certainly not improve your breed long term. ..Although I have always found "normally" blue-coated dogs to be beautiful and to my knowledge the coat coloration is not associated with any other health problems, still, by allowing this coat color as an acceptable standard you will be increasing the prevalence of an untreatable disease."

Vivian Hogan also wrote a letter (including the information provided by Norma, Amy and Kathy) to Barbara Kuminel, D.V.M., Dermatologist with Veterinary Referral Associate, Inc., requesting information regarding blue-coated dogs. Dr. Kummel responded: "The blue coat color in the Miniature Pinscher and other breeds of dogs is a dilution of the black color and is the result of a mutation (or defect) in the coat color gene(s). This mutation does NOT result in any other health problems. It is not linked with hypothyroidism or any other endocrine (hormonal) abnormalities. ... It is however, not JUST a "hair" problem

"The abnormal hair follicles in dogs with dilute coat colors (blue and fawn) result in abnormal oil secretion and predisposes them to secondary skin infections.... I consider blue (and fawn) dogs to have a genetic hair AND SKIN defect. These dogs do live normal lives, however, their coat problem often results in skin abnormalities requiring lifelong treatment. I personally do not feel that dog breeders should strive to create defective genes.Therefore the mutation/dilution blue coat color should NOT be reinstated in the Min Pin standard."

Of grave concern to the Officers and Members of the Board is the fact that the information/documentation they obtained indicated that color mutant alopecia is a genetic skin disease causing hair loss which can lead to secondary skin infections for which there is no known cure.

 

Amy stated that the breeders of the blue Miniature Pinschers recognize that some of the dogs do have bad coats and that the dogs with the bad coats were not being bred. In order to eliminate the bad coats, they were breeding good coated dogs to good coated dogs. Amy also stated that the blue dogs at the National Specialty with bad coats or no coats were not in a breeding program and they were not planning to use them in a breeding program in the future. Amy reiterated that the breeders of blue Miniature Pinschers know there are coat problems and they are breeding to eliminate them.

Kay Phillips asked what process and expense had Patti gone through to get the coat back on the dog she was holding. Patti stated that the dog's diet had been changed. Kay then asked how many generations they had been breeding blues. Amy answered that the blue breeding went back to England (it was not clear how many generations have been bred).

Don asked if he was correct in stating that: by spaying and neutering those animals with bad coats and improving the coat condition by selective breeding into the blacks, apparently not being able to show the blues had not prevented their efforts to improve the blues. Amy responded that Don's statement was correct but that the only way to truly improve the blues was to be able to go in the ring and compete. Don responded by stating that the individuals breeding blues did attend shows and that although they could not compete with their blue dogs, they would be aware of the quality of the competition.

Armando asked which of the dogs present had been bred. Amy stated that Moon, the dog she was holding, was two years old and she would be bred her next season. Armando noted that the laboratory results on Moon indicated that she had color mutant alopecia. Amy stated that Moon did not have a lot of hair on the front of her chest. Therefore, she would be bred to a dog that was clear completely. Amy pointed out that the gene pool was limited since they started with only two blue dogs. Amy stated that you had to start somewhere; and, when you start bald, and breed good coats to bald, and you get decent coats and then you breed to good coats and get better coats, you've got to be able to keep improving. Armando asked if this was something that Moon inherited and then passed on. Amy responded that Moon has it but she doesn't exhibit it; she carries it, but she's not bald. Breeding Moon to a good quality male, the puppies should be okay. Amy was asked if the puppies would carry it. She responded that they did not know , and that it was a subject they were researching, that there were reds that had it, and that breeds such as Dobermans also had it, and that it is not something that is just particular to blue Min Pins.

Mrs. Krogh stated the major concern of the Officers and Members of the Board was the color mutant alopecia. Kay Phillips asked why the individuals that wanted blue Miniature Pinschers reinstated had not presented more documentation. Amy said it was because they had been limiting the information they acquired to Miniature Pinschers; and, since they had the only blues in the country, this information was limited. Amy also noted that although other breeds do have blue coats and may have problems, the breed of Weimaraners does not. Amy felt that there were coat problems affecting Miniature Pinschers of all colors and these problems had not been introduced by the blue dogs.

Mrs. Krogh stated that the concern was with color mutant alopecia, not coat problems in general.

 

Kathy asked why the blues had been removed from the standard. Mrs. Krogh said that according to a letter on file with the Miniature Pinscher Club of America, Inc., from the American Kennel Club, the blues were taken out of the standard in 1950. Mrs. Krogh contacted the oldest living member of the MPCA, Mary Boohrer Summers, who had joined MPCA in 1955. At that time, the previous MPCA secretary/treasurer had disappeared and the records were lost. Since the records have been lost, the only information available is second-hand. Mrs. Summers learned, from the four active members in 1955, that the blues (along with the harlequins and the yellows) were taken out of the standard because of their consistent coat problems and their lack of quality.

Mrs,. Krogh restated to those present that the intent of the Officers and Members of the Board was to protect and preserve the breed of Miniature Pinscher for the entire membership.

The Officers and Members of the Board voted on the question "Do we wish to reinstate the blue Miniature Pinscher?" Madeline Miller voted for reinstatement. The other eight members voted against reinstatement.

Kathy, Patti and Amy thanked the Officers and Members of the Board for considering reinstatement of blue colored dogs into the breed standard.