Though real wolf genetics has a deep level of complexity, Folklore utilizes fundamental punnett squares and probability to produce the next generation. Here, we have six main alleles, each one corresponding to fur color, eye color, or a character's sex characteristics.

1	2	3	4	5	6
Fur	Fur	Fur	Fur	Eyes	Sex

As previously stated, there are four alleles for fur color (1,2,3,4) , one for eye color (5) , and one for the character’s biological sex (6).

Each allele relates to a visible color or trait that a wolf can have, i.e. a wolf will display up to four fur colors, one eye color, and one set of sex characteristics.

A dominant gene (one that is visible on the body) will appear with a capital letter (“B”) and a recessive gene will appear with a lower case letter (“b”). A color may only be dominant once on a wolf. If a color is dominant on one allele, it may not be recessive on another.

All first generation characters (characters not born on site) will always possess double dominant genes (i.e. BB, CC, SS, etc.) unless recessives are purchased in the shop.

As an example, a first generation, male wolf that is black with blue eyes will have a gene tag of:

1	2	3	4	5	6
BB	XX	XX	XX	LL	XY

Here, “B” stands for a black fur color, “X” stands for a lack of color on the other fur alleles (a “none” for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fur color), “L” stands for blue eyes, and “XY” displays the male sex.

Below is a table with all of the possible fur and eye colors as well as a few other genetic markers.

In Order of Dominance...
Fur Colors
Color	Letter Assignment
Knockout (no color)	X, x
Black	B, b
Gray	G, g
Brown	N, n
Cream	C, c
Tan	T, t
White	W, w
Russet	S, s
Red	R, r
Gold	O, o
Blue	L, l
Eye Colors
Color	Letter Assignment
Brown	N, n
Yellow	Y, y
Orange	O, o
Gray	G, g
Green	E, e
Blue	L, l
Purple	P, p
Pink	K, k
Red	R, r
Colorless	C, c
Black	B, b
Heterochromia	H, h
Sex
Sex	Letter Assignment
Male	XY
Female	XX
Mutations
Mutation	Letter Assignment
Albino	xx for all genes
Melanism	MM for all genes
Painted	* on all genes

When two characters go to breed, their respective gene tags will be mixed randomly by a computer code. When it comes to determining which colors will be most prevalent in puppies, it is important to recognize how dominance plays a role. The code first considers probability before it considers dominance.

Consider two parents that are both double dominant for cream (CC). This means that, for the puppies, there are 4 dominant cream alleles swimming around. This drastically increases the likelihood of having cream puppies. Prevalence of a gene is the number one factor in determining how likely you are to see the gene.

The second factor is dominance. Let's say that a cream gene (C) ends up with a black gene (B) on one allele. In this case, black is dominant over cream and black will show.

Take an example now:

Imagine a mother has a Bg allel (dominant black, recessive gray). A father has a St allele (dominant russet, recessive tan). If these two genes were to mix, the following combinations are possible:

1	2	3	4
BS	Bt	Sg	gt

The code would randomly select one of these combinations.

If the code selected the first option, the puppy would display black fur because black is dominant over russet. The final gene code would be edited to: “Bs” to show that russet is now recessive.

If the second is chosen, the puppy displays black fur with a tan recessive.

If the third is chosen, the puppy displays russet fur with a gray recessive.

If the fourth is chosen, we notice that gray is dominant over tan. The pup displays gray fur and has a tan recessive. The final gene code would be edited to: “Gt” to show that gray is dominant and tan is recessive.

Understanding this system takes time. If you’re thinking of breeding and would like help purchasing recessives strategically, please reach out to claerie! Gene consultation is free and up to 6 test pups can be rolled for you.