14 Adorable Photos Of Albino Dogs

Just like there are human albinos, there are also animal albinos. In general, albinism is a rare congenital condition that affects the production of melanin, the pigment that colors skin, hair and eyes. An albino person or animal doesn't have enough melanin or has no melanin at all. As a result, this can affect their eyesight and skin color. While the condition is mostly found among humans, it is rare in all animals, including dogs. Nevertheless, people often mistake white-coated dogs for albino dogs. In addition, some dogs exhibit forms of albinism but are not true albino dogs. Read on to know and see what a true albino dog looks like.

How Does a True Albino Dog Look?

Albinism is an especially curious case in all animals including dogs, considering the rarity. Without a genetic test, a dog is deemed true albino if he or she has a pink nose, lips, and pink skin around his or her eyes. White-coated dogs, on the other hand, produce two coat patterns known as merle and piebald, which can be mistaken for albinism. While merle-coated dogs exhibit patches of color on both their coat and skin, Piebald dogs, on the other hand, have mostly white-colored coats that showcase large spots or patches of dark coloration.

These coat patterns, which result in something similar to albinism, often occur in dog breeds such as Doberman Pinschers, Shetland Sheepdogs, Corgis, Australian Shepherds, Great Danes, Dachshunds, and Collies. For example, people often confuse white Dobermans with albino Dobermans.

Owning and Caring For an Albino Dog

According to Dr. Margaret Casal of the University of Pennsylvania, albino dogs come with a higher risk of several health conditions. For instance, albino dogs are photosensitive due to their lack of melanin, which protects the skin from sun radiation. Because of their high photosensitivity, albino dogs are prone to developing cancer of the skin and eyes and sunburn.

Caring for an albino dog requires protecting and keeping them out of the sun, applying sunscreen, and dressing them in protective coats or clothes. If you own an albino dog, will need to purchase accessories like doggy sunglasses, bodysuits, shirts and hats with ultraviolet protection. For albino dogs' eyesight not to damage, pet parents need to manage their dogs' outdoor activities very carefully. However, you need to consult your veterinarian first to learn which accessories may be suitable for your albino dog and how to apply them.