Color Codes in Fjords
While our primary goals in the breeding program are focusing on conformation, disposition, usability and versatility, the color genetics in Norwegian Fjordhorses are very fascinating and always subject of lot of questions.
All Fjord horses carry the DUN gene and are displayed in 5 accepted and 1 discouraged color. The genes that are responsible for color are (A) bay/brown - limits black pigments to the points , (aa) grey - black allowed through the coat, (E) allows black pigment, (ee) red - does not allow black pigment, and (Ccr) cream.
While (A) and (Ccr) are dominant, (aa) and (ee) are recessive genes, but all genes are independent on one another. Nonetheless, e and a need both parts of the recessive gene to become visible. ee removes ALL black hairs and can even mask a grey dun.
Brown Duns
AA EE - brown with black limited to the points (legs, head, ears etc.)
Aa EE - brown with black limited to the points and grey recessive
AA Ee - brown with black limited to the points and red recessive
All horses with these gene combinations are displayed as Brown Duns
A+E+ is always a dominant brown with black limited to the points
Red Duns
AA ee - brown with no black points
Aa ee - brown with no black points but grey recessive
aa ee - two recessive genes with NO black points
All horses with these gene combinations are displayed as Red Duns
ee does not allow any black, even in combination with aa (full grey)
Grey dun
aa EE - grey gene with black points
aa Ee - grey gene with black points and red recessive
aa EE Ccr - grey gene with black points and cream*
All horses with these gene combinations are displayed as Grey duns
aa always needs to be in combination with E+ to be displayed grey, otherwise it will be red
White duns
AA EE Ccr - Ccr is dominant and will display as white
Aa EE Ccr - Ccr is dominant and will display as white, grey recessive
AA Ee Ccr - Ccr is dominant and will display as white, red recessive
All horses with these gene combinations are displayed as White duns
a and e can apply as recessive
Yellow Duns
AA ee Ccr - Ccr is dominant and in combination with ee
(NO black hairs) will displayed as yellow
(white and red at the same time)
Aa ee Ccr - Ccr is dominant and in combination with ee
(NO black hairs) will displayed as yellow
(white and red at the same time), grey recessive
aa ee Ccr - Ccr is dominant and in combination with ee
(NO black hairs) will displayed as yellow
ee limits the grey from aa.
All horses with these gene combinations are displayed as Yellow duns
It is a combination of A+ or aa ee with Ccr, white and red at the same time
Kvit (not desired!)
A Kvit is a combination of two sets of the (cr) creme gene shown as (crcr).
A crcr can occur when breeding a white dun to a white dun, because cr is dominant.
Special combination
aa EE Ccr - grey gene with black points and cream*
It is a white dun and grey dun at the same time, the creme gene can not lighten the grey coat color completely.
The horse will appear as a light grey, but can pass on the creme gene to every offspring. Could produce a Kvit bred to a white dun Fjord.
Color test
Color tests can be done through University of California, Davis.
This only provides information about the color genetics of Norwegian Fjord horse in combination of their appearance. I like to privately study color genetics in combination with different conformational styles and characteristics and I am happy to talk and provide information about this via email and/or phone.
Kian Klattrup
AA EE
Brown Dun
Brunblakk
Lillian
AA ee
Red Dun
no recessive
Rødblakk
Tsjalle
aa Ee
Grey Dun
Red recessive
Grå
Siljar
Aa EE Ccr
White Dun
Grey recessive
Ulsblakk
DD Helana
DD Helana
AA ee Ccr
Yellow Dun
full red
Gulblakk