Classic grey / dominant white (KIT-related) - Alpaca

Classic grey in alpacas

This genetic test examines the KIT variant c.376G>A associated with classic grey. Classic grey is not a single flat grey colour, but a colour and pattern factor that can lighten the alpaca’s base coat colour and produce white or strongly diluted areas.

Expression can vary considerably. Some alpacas show a clear classic-grey pattern with a white face, lighter legs and multiple colour tones within the fibre. Other animals are minimally or cryptically grey, making them difficult to distinguish visually from animals with white spotting, a light base colour or other coat-colour patterns.

What classic grey can look like

• Lightening of the base colour, where black, brown or other base colours may appear paler or silver-toned.
• White or strongly diluted areas, often especially visible on the face, neck and legs.
• Multiple tones within the fibre, such as darker primary fibres beside lighter secondary fibres.
• Cryptic expression, where the genetic grey factor is present but the visible pattern is subtle.

The variant follows autosomal dominant inheritance. One copy can be sufficient to produce classic grey, although visibility still depends on base colour and other colour or spotting factors. Two copies are considered probably embryonic lethal, so living homozygous animals are not or hardly expected.

Why this test is useful

The result helps breeders genetically distinguish alpacas with and without the KIT grey factor. This is especially valuable for unclear or light colours, cryptic animals and breeding plans where matings between two classic-grey animals should be deliberately avoided. The test also supports the distinction between classic grey and other white or dilution patterns that may look similar but have a different genetic basis.