Modified colors... Emsket, fawn, mioget, shaela.

HOME

Back to color genetics home page.

Mioget (Me-oh-git), emsket (Em-skit), fawn, and shaela (shay-la) are the  modified (dilute) colors. Dark brown may also be modified. Lots of debate on what is, and isn't.    A modified color is a dilute of a whole color, rather than a mixture of light and dark fibers as seen in Ag (fading). Modified is not Ag, it occurs at a seperate locus.    Emsket and shaela are expressed in black factored sheep. Mioget and fawn are the modified color in brown factored sheep. Modified (Mm) is recessive to non-modified (MM). Two copies of the gene produce the lightest colored sheep, while one copy simply lightens the color from the base color.   Many of these sheep do not physically show that they carry the modified gene until they are a year or so old.    Mioget has been discribed as a rich, honey gold color, or yellowish brown. It is a stunning, uncommon color, and is highly sought after.

These photos are courtesy of Stephen Rouse of Sheltering Pines, Allegen, MI.

Emsket is described by NASSA as a dusky bluish-grey. I have heard it described by emsket breeders as a rich pewter or charcoal color. The fibers are consistently  pewter colored, not a mixture of black and white fibers that are seen in grey sheep. Emskets can sun-bleach, which can cover up the pewter color unless the fleece is parted.