Albino maltese? - Maltese Dogs Forum : Spoiled Maltese Forums

**Molly'sMom** · 08-27-2010, 10:53 PM

I have been perplexed about Molly's features for some time now. She has pale pink eyelids and lips. Her nose is normally pale pink as well but now has a little light brown on it (maybe from sunlight?). Her eyes are a pale green. Molly is just over 6 months old and is healthy.I have been trying to do some research when I discovered the discussion in this group. Molly is absolutely adorable but now I am wondering if it is possible she is an Albino? Is this rare? and are there any related health concerns?

Molly's Mom

Nikki's Mom · 08-27-2010, 11:23 PM

If she were an albino, wouldn't her eyes be lighter? They look brown to me. But I have no knowledge on this subject, just guessing.

**makettle29** · 08-27-2010, 11:31 PM

Her nose is pale also. Looks like she is a little low on pigment. I don't know anything about albino maltese but she sure is cute and what a happy expression in both photos

mary anna

**Cosy** · 08-27-2010, 11:31 PM

I think there are variations of albinos. Green eyes with no dark pigment would certainly seem to be albino. IF so, I believe sunlight is not advisable and yes, there could be other unforseen problems. I would ask the vet what he/she thinks. It could just be indiscriminate breeding of dogs with very little pigment. I have seen maltese with light brown eyes. They were not albino.

**Ladysmom** · 08-28-2010, 12:01 AM

True albinos have no pigment at all so they have a pink nose, blue eyes, etc. I had a beautiful albino cat years ago.

Molly has some brown on her nose and her eyes are pale, but not blue. She just doesn't have the pigment Maltese should have.

**poochie2** · 08-28-2010, 12:07 AM

I always thought that the true characteristics of a purebred maltese were their black points.......black lips, paws, black noses and an eyeliner look to their eyes.
Could your dog be some of a mixed breed? I can't tell for sure on the pictures but maybe she may have some westie features cause of her ears. I'm just giving my opinion.

**Molly'sMom** · 08-28-2010, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikki's Mom

If she were an albino, wouldn't her eyes be lighter? They look brown to me. But I have no knowledge on this subject, just guessing.

Her eyes are light green. A beautiful color actually.

**Molly'sMom** · 08-28-2010, 12:22 AM

I bought her from a Breeder and she is a full breed. Neither of her parents had these characteristics. I'm stumped.

**Cosy** · 08-28-2010, 12:48 AM

Characteristics can go way back in the pedigree. It doesn't have to look like mom and dad's pigment. Mills and BYB's often take no care in whether a dog has proper pigment before breeding.

**Ladysmom** · 08-28-2010, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Molly'sMom

I bought her from a Breeder and she is a full breed. Neither of her parents had these characteristics. I'm stumped.

There is a big difference between a reputable breeder who carefully breeds to the Maltese standard and a backyard breeder who just puts two dogs together to produce puppies. A reputable breeder knows her lines back many generations and is very knowledgeable about genetics.

What registry is Molly registered with? If it is anything other than the AKC, you can't be sure she is purebred.

No matter where she came from, Molly is very cute and she's yours.

08-27-2010, 10:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
Molly'sMom Newbie Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9	Albino maltese? I have been perplexed about Molly's features for some time now. She has pale pink eyelids and lips. Her nose is normally pale pink as well but now has a little light brown on it (maybe from sunlight?). Her eyes are a pale green. Molly is just over 6 months old and is healthy.I have been trying to do some research when I discovered the discussion in this group. Molly is absolutely adorable but now I am wondering if it is possible she is an Albino? Is this rare? and are there any related health concerns? Molly's Mom Attached Thumbnails

08-27-2010, 11:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cosy Maltese Guru Name: Brit Dog's Name: Cosy from Bonnie's Angel Maltese Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: I live in Cowboy country :) Posts: 13,390	I think there are variations of albinos. Green eyes with no dark pigment would certainly seem to be albino. IF so, I believe sunlight is not advisable and yes, there could be other unforseen problems. I would ask the vet what he/she thinks. It could just be indiscriminate breeding of dogs with very little pigment. I have seen maltese with light brown eyes. They were not albino. __________________ Please buy from reputable exhibitor breeders or Rescue.

08-28-2010, 12:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
Ladysmom Maltese Guru Name: Marj Dog's Name: Bailey and Lady at the Bridge Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 15,079	True albinos have no pigment at all so they have a pink nose, blue eyes, etc. I had a beautiful albino cat years ago. Molly has some brown on her nose and her eyes are pale, but not blue. She just doesn't have the pigment Maltese should have. __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/pages/MLadys...s/182366213341 Last edited by Ladysmom; 08-28-2010 at 12:48 AM.

08-28-2010, 12:48 AM	#9 (permalink)
Cosy Maltese Guru Name: Brit Dog's Name: Cosy from Bonnie's Angel Maltese Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: I live in Cowboy country :) Posts: 13,390	Characteristics can go way back in the pedigree. It doesn't have to look like mom and dad's pigment. Mills and BYB's often take no care in whether a dog has proper pigment before breeding. __________________ Please buy from reputable exhibitor breeders or Rescue.

08-27-2010, 11:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
Nikki's Mom Maltese Guru Name: Suzan Dog's Name: Keiko & Nikki Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 6,250	If she were an albino, wouldn't her eyes be lighter? They look brown to me. But I have no knowledge on this subject, just guessing.

08-27-2010, 11:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
makettle29 Maltese Guru Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: winter in Florida summer on Martha's Vineyard Posts: 565	Her nose is pale also. Looks like she is a little low on pigment. I don't know anything about albino maltese but she sure is cute and what a happy expression in both photos mary anna

08-28-2010, 12:07 AM	#6 (permalink)
poochie2 Maltese Guru Dog's Name: Vanilla Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 1,228	I always thought that the true characteristics of a purebred maltese were their black points.......black lips, paws, black noses and an eyeliner look to their eyes. Could your dog be some of a mixed breed? I can't tell for sure on the pictures but maybe she may have some westie features cause of her ears. I'm just giving my opinion.

08-28-2010, 12:22 AM	#8 (permalink)
Molly'sMom Newbie Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9	I bought her from a Breeder and she is a full breed. Neither of her parents had these characteristics. I'm stumped.

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