IC Locus (Improper Coat/Furnishings)

General Information: The IC Locus (IC) pertains to the genetic region that controls the development of facial furnishings—longer hair around the eyebrows and muzzle—on dogs, prominently valued in breeds such as Labradoodles and Portuguese Water Dogs. Furnishings, which include distinctive longer mustache and eyebrow hair, are considered a breed standard for these dogs. An "Improper Coat," characterized by the absence of these furnishings and presenting with shorter hair on the head, face, and legs, results from the lack of a dominant RSPO2 gene variant. This specific coat appearance is crucial in dog shows and breed standards, where it can significantly impact a dog's conformity to breed-specific aesthetics and its resulting valuation in competitive and breeding scenarios.

Gene / Testing Information: Genetic testing of the IC Locus (IC) involves analyzing three variants of the RSPO2 gene to determine the type of coat a dog will have—furnishings, weak furnishings, or improper coat. This testing can also identify carriers of the different gene variants. Furnishings are inherited in a hierarchical autosomal dominant order where the dominant furnishings variant (F) supersedes weak furnishings (Fw), which in turn is dominant over the improper coat (IC). Thus, only one copy of the furnishings (F) variant is necessary for a dog to display the full facial furnishings, while two copies of the IC variant are needed for a dog to exhibit an improper coat. Understanding these genetic dynamics is crucial for breeders, particularly in breeds with strict coat standards, to make informed mating decisions to ensure the desired coat traits in offspring and to manage the distribution of these traits in future generations.