The Albino Doberman Phenomenon….
“White” or “albino” Dobermans are not actually white animals. They are a pale tan or cream colored, and only the areas which would normally be rust-colored are actually white. These Dobermans have blue eyes, not pink or red eyes. Because these dogs are not white and because they have blue eyes, some people claim that they are not actually albino. Hairs from several albino Dobermans were compared by a veterinary expert to hairs from normal black, red, and blue Dobermans. The melanin pigment granules (melanosomes) are severely reduced in both number and in pigment content in an albino Doberman, as compared to normal Dobermans.That is why they are so light in color.The first ever albino Doberman was born in 1976.The mother of all Albino Dobies was registered by the AKC as White, since they believed that Albino is not a color. There have been tests done on these dogs, when two albinos were bred. Their offspring were found to have faults such as poor conformation, poor temperaments (aggression and fear problems, problems with trainability), multiple missing teeth, photosensitivity and sensitivity to sunburn. Although they are not the “best” representatives of their breed, they require and deserve just as much love…and even more care than the “normal” Dobies out there.
( Info: courtesy of: Ione L. Smith, DVM)
