Color, Myth, and Modern Genetics
Color Myths
Throughout history, color has been both misunderstood and misjudged.
Old dogmen often passed down superstition disguised as wisdom — sayings like “blue dogs are soft” or “merles are sickly” became accepted truth simply because there was no way to prove otherwise. Without modern science, breeders had to rely on observation alone, and sometimes eliminating a color seemed like the safest way to avoid problems they didn’t yet understand.
But times have changed, and so has the science.
At Angrboda Bandogs, we do not breed for color, but we also will never cull for it. Color does not determine ability, soundness, or heart. Today, with access to advanced testing from Embark and UC Davis, we can identify and eliminate the actual causes of color-related health concerns — such as double-merle pairings, dilute alopecia, or pigment-linked defects — without sacrificing the dog behind the color.
The truth is, a dog’s worth is measured in its structure, temperament, and ability — not in the shade of its coat.
Why is This Important?
Knowing which alleles (genes) a dog carries allows us to avoid unsafe combinations that can cause deafness, blindness, or developmental issues. Once we know a dog’s genetic profile, we can make educated, responsible pairings while preserving valuable dogs that might otherwise be dismissed based on outdated beliefs.
Why we don’t breed for color:
Selecting for color over function is one of the fastest ways to destroy a working line. Prioritizing appearance above ability leads to “pretty dogs with nothing behind the eyes” — a fate we’ve seen across too many modern breeds. Our focus remains on working integrity, temperament, structure, and health. The color is simply the wrapping paper.