Dog colors

Dogs have many colors, with varying shades and patterns in their coats, nails, mucus membranes and skin. Many breed standards specify the colors allowed for purebred dogs. That's because, like many other physical characteristics of dogs, the colors of their hair, noses, paw pads, tongue and lining of the mouth,are inherited characteristics that depend on genes. This article discusses the major colors and patterns found in dogs, as well as the science of their inheritance.