I have researched Blue Borns for several years. The pic that Villette posted is an example of blue born babies. Her skin was very dark where she should have had black hair. The tan hair was there and still is. Any coat that is tan/gold will grow but there is a defect in the genes that affest the black to blue coat. They also frequently have internal problems. Whatever was developing at the time the gene for coat was setting in can also be affected. This used to be called "fatal blue gene" and that is a clue about their health.
The parents who produced this puppy should NOT be bred to each other again. The puppy/dog should be altered and then treated as if it were a Chinese Crested. The coat on the back is so thin that a very high SPF numbered sunscreen MUST be applied every time the dog is taken outside. The ears have even less blue and will burn very quickly!! Their skin can be extremely dry and fragile and the tiniest bite or scratch can cause major problems.
Some will look sorta normal as babies but as soon as the puppy coat begins to shed and the adult one should grow in, it usually does not come in. It feels like a real high grade if steel wool..grows about an inch but either breaks off of just stops growing. Their ears can be hairless except for the tan fringe. The pic of Jillian that V. posted shows how sparse her coat is and the absence of blue hair on her body and ears.
Now, chocs can have a lot of the same characteristics. I have a sweet little choc boy whp looks much like a teensy Schnauzer.his coat is thick but wiry. You will see them referred to as wire-haired but that is not an accepted term by most clubs.
I would be happy to talk with anyone who needs info on blue borns and share what I have found.
BTW, thanx Villette for posting Jillian's pic. It does help demonstrate the look. |