page_title: Melanistic mask
hierarchical_section_title: Melanistic mask
caption_attribution_description: A Pug dog.
context_page_description: A melanistic mask is a dog coat pattern that gives the appearance of a mask on the dog's face. The hairs on the muzzle, and sometimes entire face or ears, are colored by eumelanin instead of pheomelanin pigment. Eumelanin is typically black, but may instead be brown, dark gray, or light gray-brown. Pheomelanin ranges in color from pale cream to mahogany. The trait is caused by M264V, a completely dominant allele of the melanocortin 1 receptor gene.
context_section_description: A melanistic mask (also referred to as a mask or masking) is a dog coat pattern that gives the appearance of a mask on the dog's face. The hairs on the muzzle, and sometimes entire face or ears, are colored by eumelanin instead of pheomelanin pigment. Eumelanin is typically black, but may instead be brown, dark gray, or light gray-brown. Pheomelanin ranges in color from pale cream to mahogany. The trait is caused by M264V (Eᴹ), a completely dominant allele (form) of the melanocortin 1 receptor gene.
caption: Pug with black melanistic mask
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