Fawn Doberman syndrome affects dogs with diluted colors, hence its other name, dilution alopecia. What is a diluted color? It’s a blend of a base color and white. A dilution of red and white is called fawn. A dilution of black and white is called blue. Both fawns and blues can get fawn Doberman syndrome. Sometimes fawn Doberman syndrome is called blue Doberman syndrome or blue dog disease.
Dog breeds affected include the Irish setter, Bernese mountain dog, Newfoundland, Great Dane, whippet, salukis, Italian greyhound, Chow Chow, Chihuahua, standard poodle, standard dachshund, miniature dachshund, Shetland Sheepdog, Yorkshire terrier, miniature pinscher and, of course, the Doberman Pinscher. Mixed breeds with these breeds that are fawn or blue may also develop dilution alopecia. Only dogs that are blue or fawn develop this incurable condition. All other colors are unaffected.
Symptoms
Dogs with fawn Doberman syndrome lose large patches of their hair, giving them a very forlorn, moth-eaten look. The hair begins to fall off along the spine and then spreads to the face and other parts of the body. The hair falls off because it has suddenly become dry and brittle. The skin on these bald patches becomes dry and bumpy. These bumps are affected hair follicles which turn into blackheads or pustules which may ooze. The skin may also become scaly or appears as if it has a bad case of dandruff.
The big danger for a dog with color dilution alopecia is that he or she scratches the itchy skin open and causes a severe infection which can potentially kill the dog. For the rest of the dog’s life, the bald patches need hydration with lotions and shampoos to keep the skin from becoming so intensely itchy.
Time Frame
Fawn Doberman syndrome appears when the dog is young – anywhere from six months to three years of age. The Southwest Ohio Doberman Rescue reports that occasionally Doberman or Doberman-cross puppies as young as four months old will begin showing symptoms. Puppies are born looking normal.
Once a dog or puppy begins showing symptoms, they will do so for the rest of his or her life. There is no cure, but dogs can still enjoy a good quality of life with caring owners that help ease their skins with lotions and antibiotic rinses, keep them away from harsh sunlight to avoid sunburn and doesn’t mind their bizarre appearance. Dogs may develop skin melanomas just because the skin gets damaged so often without hair to protect it.
Warning
Fawn Doberman syndrome is a genetic skin condition. Any dog having this condition needs to be neutered or spayed. Otherwise, he or she will just pass this annoying and itchy condition along to the next generation. Fortunately, this is one canine health issue that has a potential cure if all dog owners would not breed their dogs that have color dilution alopecia.
References:
Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook.” Debra M. Eldredge, DVM, et al. Howell Book House; 2007.
Pet Education. “Color Mutant Alopecia (Blue Doberman Syndrome.)” http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1592&aid;=413
Southwest Ohio Doberman Rescue. “Doberman Health.” http://www.swohiodoberescue.org/DobermanInfo/Health.htm
Canine Inherited Disorders Database. “Colour Dilution Alopecia.” http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/Diseases/dermatology/colour%20dilution%20alopecia.htm
