The dilute (d) recessive gene will dilute black pigment to blue. It can act upon any color but its effects are most dramatic on a solid black, which it turns to blue (of varying shades), and chocolate which it turns to lavender/isabella.
Blue
Blue Newborns 
Blue 8 wks 
Blue 6 mos 
Blue Adult 
Blue Adult
Dilute Chocolate (Lavender or Isabella)
The dilute chocolate color is not very common but is possible, as it’s a combination of brown and blue on the same dog (bbdd). Its appearance is similar to the color of a Weimaraner as it’s the same combination of genes. It is a silvery brownish color, sometimes described as lavender or in some breeds, isabella. Pigment will be self colored.
Dilute Chocolate 8 mos old 
Dilute Chocolate 8 wks
Other Dilute Colors
Since the dilution recessive can work on any color that has black pigmentation, you can see other variations, such as dilute (Blue) sable, a sable dog whose dark hairs and pigment are blue rather than black, or blue & tan, which is like a black & tan but with blue coloring on the body instead of black. Eye, nose, and foot pad pigment is also blue.
Blue Sable 
Blue & Tan
