Black and Pattern Pool - Agouti Locus - in Colored Angora Goats

The Black/Pattern pool of colored angora goats expresses color from genes located on the Agouti locus. The goat needs to get color genes for the Agouti locus from both parents to have color black or pattern pool expression, if they have it from only one parent, they will probably be a white color carrier and may produce color in kids if bred to the right animal. For Agouti colors to be expressed, there also needs to be no expression of both the white angora genes and of the genes on the Extension locus, those genes are more dominant and can mask Agouti genes. A goat that is red, black or brown from the R/B/B pool can be hiding the color genes on the Agouti allele (a goat like this may be able to produce color in both pools.)

Within the black/pattern pool, there is some dominance of some patterns over other patterns. Articles on goat genetics written by Phil Sponenberg delve deeper into genetics and list more patterns and their order of dominance.

Rarely, additional genes can change the base colors of the patterns and you may see variations in color such as reds or browns in place of the black or gray.

Most of these patterns have facial stripes. Also, any goat can have white spotting in addition to these base colors and patterns (white spotting is controlled by a different set of genes).

I think that these patterns may have been strengthened in angoras by breeding out to dairy goats for color. For each of the most common colored angora patterns, there is a corresponding pattern in alpines.

Tan Solid: There are agouti genes that will produce tan solids, also called "no pattern." Colors range from white to cream to tan to light reds. This is considered a more dominant pattern genetically, and is one reason why cross pool kids tend to be white. It is important to know the pedigree on these animals, because the majority of brown and red angora goats get their color from the Red/Black/Brown pool Extension locus.

 Reverse Badger: Also called Light Belly. Main body color is black or gray. White, cream or tan stripes on face, underbelly and stripes on lower legs. This pattern is fairly common in angora goats. In Alpines, it is called Sundgau.

Badger: Also called Dark Belly. Main body color is cream, tan or brown. Gray or black stripes on face, dorsal stripe, underbelly and stripes on lower legs. This pattern is also fairly common. Called Chamiosee in alpines and a close pattern in pygmies is called caramel.

Peacock: These goats are similar in color to badgers, but have a light front and a darker rear. Tan, white or cream neck and fore-body. Black or gray stripes on face, black or gray loin and rump area, belly and lower legs. Often have a tan area on upper thigh. This pattern is a little less common in angoras. Called Cou Clair (cream or tan) and Cou Blanc (white) in alpines.

Mantled: Black or gray head, neck, fore-body and often front legs. Tan or cream or white stripes on face; tan, cream or white rear body and on lower legs. This pattern is less common in angoras. Called Cou Noir in alpines.

Black Solid: Entire goat is black and/or gray. Also referred to as no pattern. Because solid black goats appear in both pools, it is important to know the pedigree on black/gray goats to see if they have black/pattern pool in their genetics before making breeding decisions. This is a common color in angora goats.

There many other possible patterns. A few of the less dominant patterns have started to show up in some herds in the last few years, but are still relatively rare.

Mahogany: Main body color is a blend/mix of black/gray and tan hair. Black on face and legs. Tan on thighs and minor striping on face.

Tan and Black: Main body color is black or gray. Tan on belly, stripes on face. Legs have split stockings of black and tan.