Gene Sheet: The Dye Gene

Brief Description:
The Dye gene does what it sounds like it does - it dyes the base coat!  The Dye gene recolors the base coat of an equine, regardless of coat color, to up to three different shades/hues with the exception of true black/white. In one form, the Dye gene acts like a dominant white gene (see Riq Design) and will completely cover any base coat dilutions/paint patterns where the gene appears.  In its Dilute form it will fall beneath any paint patterns/white markings and may either fade to reveal the base coat and its dilution beneath it (see Djamila | Free Creation Design) or fall below the paint/white genes but completely mask any further markings such as dun below it (see Ataahua|Hihiri Holy One).  When either form of Dye is paired with Scorch, it will be ‘erased’ and reveal the pure base coat from beneath the Dye (ie, bay coat will be visible beneath a coat otherwise turned blue by the Dye gene!). The dye gene cannot make defined patterns - eg. starbursts, flowers, etc. Tattoos are the only item in game that can apply this.

Dominant Variation of Dye:

• nDyD = No Dye (Dominant Dye Carrier)

• DyDDyD = Dominant Dye 

As aforementioned, the Dominant variation of Dye will completely cover ALL paint patterns/base coat where the Dye appears in up to three different colors with the exception of true black/white.  While most commonly it covers the entire body (see Riq Design), it can also be quite restricted (see Rhaego Al-Taj Design) with crisp edges.  Contrary to its name, Dominant Dye will only appear on a base coat if two copies of DyD, ie, DyDDyD, are present.  If DyDyD occurs, the Dominant Dye will then be recessive and only Dilute Dye will occur!

Dilute Variation of Dye:

• nDy = No Dye (Dilute Dye Carrier)

• DyDy = Dilute Dye

• DyDyD = Dilute Dye (Dominant Dye Carrier)

The more common form of Dye, Dilute Dye falls below any paint/white patterns such as Tobiano and Countered but will cover base coat dilutions like Noctis or Cream.  Coverage can be full body (see Ataahua|Hihiri Holy One) or restricted (see Andromeda).  Dilute dye can appear in up to up to three different colors with the exception of true black/white upon the coat and does not appear to have any true pattern rules, although most often the edges appear of the markings seem to rough/scattered, akin to Sabino roaning.