You must have noticed the dark spots on the body of the Dalmatian. Did you know that Dalmatian puppies are all white at the time of birth? Have you ever wondered how the white color changes to black? The reason behind the color change is ticking in dogs. This article will discuss what is ticking, why it occurs, how to identify ticking patterns, as well as everything else you need to know.
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Ticking in dogs
Ticking in dogs is the appearance of small, dark speckles on a dog’s coat. It is primarily caused by a genetic trait found in many dog breeds. Ticking can occur in dogs of any color, but it is most common in dogs with lighter coats. This distinct and eye-catching coat pattern is frequently associated with certain breeds, including English Setters, spaniels, pointers and Australian Cattle Dogs. Ticking is usually extremely small spots of colored hair or coat flecks that happen inside what would otherwise be a solid color
While ticking is not harmful to a dog’s health, if you have a dog with a ticked coat, it is important to understand this feature. This guide will cover everything you need to know about ticking in dogs, including their causes, care, and more.
🐾 What Is a Ticked Dog?
A “ticked” dog has small flecks or freckles of colour inside the white parts of its coat. Puppies are born with clean white markings and the flecks appear over the first few weeks of life. Ticking only shows on white areas, is controlled by genes (the USH2A region on chromosome 38) and is purely cosmetic: it doesn’t cause any health problem.
Importance of understanding ticking in dogs
Ticking can occur on any white area as long as the white is “real” white. Ticking is different from roaning, which is when the colored hairs are mixed with white hairs throughout the coat. A study investigated genomic regions associated with ticking and roaning coat patterns in dogs using 1,281 purebred dogs for marker discovery. The study found that the GWAS for the ticking pattern did not reveal strongly associated markers, unlike the GWAS for roaning.
While there is information available on dog coat color genetics as well as studies investigating coat patterns, there does not appear to be a significant amount of information specifically on ticking in dogs. It is possible that ticking is not a trait that has been extensively studied or researched.
Hemangiosarcoma
Hemangiosarcoma has no link to ticking or coat pattern. Hemangiosarcoma is a cancer of the blood vessel walls and can affect various organs such as the spleen, liver, and heart. Symptoms may include lethargy, weakness, pale gums, abdominal swelling, and collapse. If you suspect your dog may have hemangiosarcoma or any other health concerns, it is important to consult with a veterinarian.
Ticks vs Ticking in dogs
Ticking is different from dog tick, which refers to any of several ticks commonly infesting dogs. Ticking is just a color pattern, not a disease. On the other hand, ticks are blood-sucking parasites related to spiders and mites (not insects) which can cause paralysis and even death in certain cases.
What causes ticking in dogs?
In most cases, ticking in dogs is caused by the white spotting series and not by a phaeomelanin intensity gene such as the I locus. The exact gene responsible for ticking in dogs has not been identified yet. However, it has been mapped to chromosome 38. Ticking modifies areas with white spotting and causes small pigmented spots to appear on any white area of a dog’s coat. The amount and density of ticking can vary between dogs. Dalmatian spots are caused by SLC2A9, which modifies ticking to form distinct round spots. The hue of the pigmented hair associated with ticked or roan pigmentation patterns is controlled by many separate coat color loci. Three haplotypes near usherin on CFA38 are associated with roan, ticked, and clear coat patterns in dogs.
What is the difference between ticking and roaning?
Ticking and roaning, these terms are often used interchangeably. These are coat patterns in canines but with some differences. Ticking refers to the presence of small pigmented spots on white areas of a dog’s coat, while roan is a pattern that produces heavily mottled white areas with pigmented hairs. Roan can also cause flecks so closely spaced that the mixture appears even.
Dalmatian flecking causes large round dots to grow inside white markings. In Spaniels, the haplotypes work as an allelic series including alleles (t, recessive clear; T, dominant ticked/parti-color; and TR, incomplete roan). In summary, ticking causes small pigmented spots, while roan causes pigmented hairs and heavily mottled white areas.
| Ticked | Roan | |
|---|---|---|
| What you see | Separate coloured flecks or spots on white areas, from a few hairs to coin-sized | Coloured and white hairs mixed evenly, so the white looks grey, blue or red |
| Where | Mostly on the muzzle and legs, often the body too | Evenly over all the white areas |
| Breed names | “Belton” in English Setters; “ticked” in spaniels, pointers and hounds | “Blue” or “red” in Australian Cattle Dogs; “roan” in Cocker Spaniels and German Shorthaired Pointers |
| Genetics | T (ticked) allele | TR (roan) allele, which is dominant over ticked |
How to identify ticking and roaning in dogs’ coat patterns
Ticking and roaning are coat patterns in dog. You can identify them by their appearance on the dog’s coat. Ticking causes small pigmented spots, while roan produces heavily mottled white areas with pigmented hair. The color of ticking/roan corresponds to the color that the area would have been if there wasn’t any white there. For example, a black-and-tan dog with white markings and ticking would have black ticking on its body and tan ticking on its legs, chest, and muzzle, where it would be tan if it didn’t have white.
Roan is often only a small amount of scattered white visible on the dog’s coat. Embark scientists have discovered the genetics behind a dog’s roaning coat pattern and offer a test for this trait with their Dog DNA tests
The physical appearance of ticking in dogs
If your dog is showing ticking then you will notice that the individual hair in your dog’s coat shows different colours. This in turn gives off a freckled or speckled appearance on the dog’s coat. Most often the ticking pattern is seen in the ear, legs, and head region. however, it can also be seen on the coat of the dog.
The appearance of ticking in dogs can vary in appearance depending on the breed. However, the coat will show one of the following features.
A freckled or speckled appearance
As I mentioned before, the individual hair will show a different color. This will create a freckled or speckled appearance.
Even the distribution of colors
Ticking is usually densest on the muzzle and legs; even, all-over mixing is more typical of roan.
Multi-colored hair pattern
The individual hair in your dog’s is multi-colored. You may notice the color changing as the hair progresses.
Color depth
The depth of the color in the case of ticking in dogs may vary. This will primarily depend on the specific breed and the trait of the dog. Some with ticking display bold and contrasting colors. On the other hand, others may display a muted appearance with subtle colors.
The ticking in dogs provides a different level of attractiveness to the coat. However one must be aware of the pattern carefully. If you notice any changes in the coat or fur patterns, consult your veterinarian as soon as possible. These can be a sign of your dog being physically unwell or having skin issues.
The different types of ticking patterns:
Classic ticking:
In this ticking pattern, the dots are small and evenly spaced against a light or white-colored background. Most commonly, these patterns are present in dog breeds like Dalmatian, English setter, and pointer.
Roan:
This ticking style is characterized by a mix of white and colored hair on the body of the dog. This in turn creates a salt-and-pepper kind of effect on the body of the dog. This ticking pattern is most often observed in the case of breeds like Australian Cattle Dogs (blue and red heelers), Cocker Spaniels and German Shorthaired Pointers.
Merle (not ticking):
This form of ticking pattern results in the formation of a marbled appearance on the fur of the dog. The ticking style is the result of the presence of the Merle gene. This gene is responsible for the formation of various patterns and colors. The most common breeds that display this pattern are Great Dane, border collie, and Shetland sheepdog. Merle is a separate gene, not a type of ticking.
Piebald or patched (not ticking):
The dogs with this ticking pattern contain a large area of color on the white background on the fur of the dog. The most. Common dog breeds displaying this characteristic are Australian cattle dogs, beagles, English springer spaniels, etc.
Tuxedo (not ticking)
In tuxedo ticking, the dog exhibits a uniform pattern of colors. In most cases, the uniform pattern is either dark brown or black. The fur on the chest is usually white. The breeds that display such patterns are Boxers, Great Danes, and Boston terriers.
Is there a genetic basis for these coat patterns?
Yes, there is a genetic basis for coat patterns in animals such as cats and dogs. Studies have been conducted to investigate the genetic basis of pattern formation on the domestic cat pelage, and the loci associated with coat color in dogs have been identified. Some dog coat patterns have come to light that have an ancient origin shared with arctic white wolves. In addition, researchers from Clemson University examined how different coat pattern varieties differ on the genetic level in dogs.
Skin issues associated with ticking in dogs
Ticking in dogs does not lead to any skin conditions. Ticking has nothing to do with how dense a coat is, and it doesn’t cause skin problems.
Ticked dogs are no more likely to get ticks than any other dog, but every dog needs regular tick prevention. Tick bite brings along with itself many other problems like tick fever etc. Tick bite causes inflammation and irritation on the skin. it can also lead to diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease.
Furthermore, certain dog breeds like Dalmatians are prone to developing skin issues due to their genetics. For example, Dalmatians are prone to hyperuricosuria (high uric acid in the urine), which can cause urate bladder stones. Plenty of water and a vet-advised diet help.
Dog breeds that are prone to ticking
Since ticking is dependent on the genetics of the dog, if a dog has the gene, they are more likely to pass it on to its progeny. Thus some breeds are more prone to ticking than others.
Australian cattle dog
The dogs of this breed generally have blue or red ticking or roaning on their coats. This ticking pattern helps them blend in easily with the cattle they are used for herding.
Dalmatian
Dalmatians are known for the spots on their coats. They either have a liver or black colored coat. the spots on the coat of the Dalmatian can either be large or small in size. However, the ticking pattern is generally spread out in an equal manner across all the regions of the body.
English setter
This dog breed generally has a white coat. In this case, the ticking pattern in this dog can either be of liver, black or blue color. The pattern is usually present on the body, head, and ears.
German shorthair pointer
This breed consists of a dense coat that is generally short. The ticking pattern in these dogs is usually present on their ears and legs.
Weimaraner
This breed boasts a very short and shiny coat. Their coat is typically silver or grey. Weimaraners are a solid colour with little or no white, so they normally don’t show ticking.
Brittany
This dog breed has a short coat with a dense fur pattern. The coat color is usually liver and white colored or orange and white colored. The ticking is most often present in the head and ear sections.
Border Collie
Many Border Collies have freckles of black, red or blue on the white of their muzzle, legs and collar. Some breeders call these “ticked” collies; heavy ticking that spreads evenly can look almost roan. It is a normal, accepted pattern and has no link to health.
Hounds and Spaniels
The Bluetick Coonhound and the English Coonhound (“redtick” and “bluetick”) are named after their ticked coats. English Cocker Spaniels and English Springer Spaniels are the breeds in which the ticking genes were first mapped.
One thing that you must understand is that not all the dogs in this breed need to have ticking in their coats. It is also not necessary that other breeds will not have ticking. In case you notice the ticking pattern changing, go for a consultation with a professional dog groomer or a veterinarian.
Conclusion
We have seen many dogs with either small or big patches on their fur. However, you may not have paid any attention to it. But now when you see a dog with patches, you will be able to recognize the patches and the type of ticking in dogs as well. Normally, the presence of ticking in dogs does not cause any issues. Regular brushing and tick prevention keep every coat, ticked or not, healthy.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ticking in Dogs
Why is my puppy getting more spots?
That’s how ticking works. Ticked puppies are born with plain white markings, and the flecks appear and darken over the first weeks and months.
Is ticking the same as merle?
No. Merle is a different gene that dilutes patches of the base colour, giving a marbled look. Breeding two merles together can cause deafness and eye defects; ticking carries no such risk.
When should I worry about new spots?
Flecks in the hair are normal. See your vet about spots on the skin that are raised, scaly, itchy, bleeding or growing, or about any lump. Those are not ticking.
