Hi all-My name is Melody and I have been searching for a rattie puppy and am set to by one i have seen on line.

This is a very BLUE puppy with tan legs.  I was just reading about the dangers of blue dogs, but it was very compliated for me so I would like to ask a couple questions and would be so happy if someone answered casue I am planning to buy the dog on Sunday.

1. Can a blue dog be born to normal parents and have normal siblings?  Does it have a change at better health is that occurs?

2. I read that if both parents are blue it is very bad, casue they can get hair and scalp alopicea problems.  Is there data on that? A percentage?

3. If one of the parents is blue, does is lessen the danger al all from a two blue parents?

Thanks all, I am having some anxiety about this, becasue I fell in love with her picture, but do not want to get a pet that is very likely to have problems.

best

mel

Hi Melody and welcome. I am sorry but I have no help for you. Just wanted to welcome you. I don't know why noone has offered advice. I know that there are lots of members experienced with this issue. Just hang tight.

Still learning how to navagate here---send message repeatedly without knowing.   Kinda bummed out the blue dog problem---does anyone here have good experiences with blue dogs??

thanks for the welcome)  If I figure out how to get her pic up I will show her--to you all

mel

thanks for the welcome)  If I figure out how to get her pic up I will show her--to you all

mel

Hi Melody!  Welcome to the site!  I have two blue ratties, Apollo and Indie.  Indie is my rescue pup so I don't know anything about his genes, parents, etc.  But Apollo I got from a very reputable breeder here in NC.  Apollo had one blue parent and one Tri colored parent which carried the blue gene.  I agree with what Sarah said... it's best to not get a pup who has two blue parents.  Two blue ratties have a higher chance of having pups with CDA.  My other rattie, Emma, is a black tri who came from a litter of five where neither parent was a blue but they still produced one blue pup.  So yes, it's true that having at least one blue parent will increse the chance of having more blue pups... but it is also important to remember that even though two parents are not blue if they carry the blue gene they can still have blue pups and IMO much healthier pups as far as CDA is concerned. 

While Sarah's Jack is still young... I think he just turned one in December, it is important to remember that some blue dogs may not show signs of CDA until later in life, such as six years old.  My two boys seem to be perfectly healthy but I am always on the lookout for thinning hair especially the blue hair. 

I hope I haven't confused you.  I guess I say all of this to say this one thing... It is safer to get a blue dog that only has one blue parent or from parents that are not blue themselves but do carry the blue gene. 

...I would like to ask a couple questions and would be so happy if someone answered casue I am planning to buy the dog on Sunday.

1. Can a blue dog be born to normal parents and have normal siblings?  Does it have a change at better health is that occurs?

2. I read that if both parents are blue it is very bad, casue they can get hair and scalp alopicea problems.  Is there data on that? A percentage?

3. If one of the parents is blue, does is lessen the danger al all from a two blue parents?

Hi---first off, welcome to the site. I dont have a blue rattie, both of mine are black / white bi-colors, but several years ago, I used to breed and raise dobermans, so I know a little about the blue CDA issue. It's often called "The Blue Doberman Disease".   In my best attempt to answer your questions:

1. Yes, a blue can be born to non-blue parents,  especially If there were any blues in the genetic background of either parent, or sometimes a color gene will "dilute" without any previous generation color dilutes, but that is extremely rare. 

2. Breeding a dilute to a dilute doesn't necessarily guarantee health problems for the puppies, but it doubles the risks involved, so that is not an acceptible practice of breeders who are aware of these risks. 

3. If one parent is blue, then yes, I would guess that the chances of developing CDA would be cut to "normal" risks.  NOT ALL blue colored dogs get CDA.  Please dont think that  anyone is trying to say that.....but if you decide on a blue, you should be aware that there is a chance that it COULD develop CDA.

here's a link to a site that explains CDA a lot better than I ever could:

http://www.upei.ca/cidd/Diseases/dermatology/colour%20dilution%20alopecia.htm

Congrats and welcome to the wonderful world of ratties! Can't wait to see some pictures of your new furkid!