Skin Issues on a Blue Doberman  by Jane Meggitt, Demand Media
Google      Blue Doberman pinschers aren't truly blue, like
canine Smurfs. Their color is actually a steel gray, with the
rust markings common to all Dobie colors. Due to a hereditary
skin condition, some blue Dobies start balding at a young age.
Color Dilution Alopecia      While color dilution alopecia
occurs in many breeds, it also goes by the term "blue Doberman
syndrome" since it's so common in this breed and shade. Another
term is "blue balding syndrome," which sums up the symptoms.
Among Dobies, fawn-colored dogs are also affected. According to
the University of Prince Edward Island, color dilution alopecia
occurs at the cellular level, with hair follicle abnormalities
and uneven melanin pigment clumping granules in affected hair
shafts.       Affected blue Doberman puppies appear to have
normal skin and hair at birth, but the skin eventually becomes
scaly, canine acne appears, and sections of the coat fall out.
Even the remaining coat