genetics Archives

How Dog DNA Testing Can Help Your Pup Stay Healthy & Happy

Many people are skeptical about dog DNA testing. Can it really reveal important information about your pup? Is it worth the money? DNA analysis has improved greatly in the last decade. The results can help you anticipate potential health and behavioral issues, giving you the power to keep your BFF healthy, happy and by your side longer! What is involved in dog DNA testing? The first doggy DNA test, the Wisdom Panel, was launched by Mars in 2007 and required … Read more

Your Input Could Help Scientists Bust Breed Stereotypes

A now-famous 2012 study conducted by the Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida demonstrated just how inaccurate the average human – and most canine experts – are at identifying a dog’s breed mix by sight alone. Now, a team of scientists from Darwin’s Dogs is searching for volunteers to help further their research on the same subject. They hope to gain insight into how superficial perceptions affect our lives with dogs. Darwin’s Dogs is a project … Read more

Your Dog’s Cousins May Surprise You…Regardless Of Breed

New genetic research has shown some surprising connections in the ways dog breeds are related to each other. Genetic information from 1346 dogs representing 161 breeds was compiled over 20 years to put together a new “family tree” showing what dog breeds are related to each other and how closely they are related. Almost all of the dog breeds fell into 23 groups, or clades. Each clade, while grouped by genetic similarities, also shared similar characteristics within the breeds represented in … Read more

When It Comes To Health, Mixed And Purebred Dogs Aren’t Always The Same

Whether you choose a purebred dog or a mix, there are always potential health concerns. Many people contend that purebreds are more likely to have serious health problems due to their higher risk for certain genetic conditions. Others argue that mixed breed dogs often come from unknown backgrounds where they may be exposed to an array of viruses, parasites, etc. There are a few ways you can acquire a new furry friend: select a breeder or rescue group that specializes … Read more

Genetic Syndrome In Humans May Help Explain Friendliness In Dogs

Researchers have found an interesting similarity between the genes of hyper-friendly dogs and humans with a rare inherited condition known as Williams syndrome or Williams-Beuren syndrome. The developmental disorder makes the humans it affects extremely social. Williams-Beuren syndrome affects about one in 10,000 humans and is characterized by a missing chunk of DNA that contains approximately 27 genes. The physical traits of a person with Williams-Beuren syndrome include a broad forehead, full cheeks, and heart defects. But it is the mental … Read more

Dog Family Tree Reveals How Canine Breeds Came To Be

After 20 years of collecting DNA samples from dogs all over the world, geneticists at the National Human Genome Research Institute in Bethesda, Maryland finally have enough data to determine how the more than 350 modern breeds emerged around the world. The research also reveals which breeds are closely related to one another, and why some dogs are more susceptible to certain diseases. Canines have more diversity within their species than any other land mammal. This becomes clear when you … Read more

These 3 Genetic Conditions Could Put Clouds In Your Husky’s Gorgeous Eyes

Siberian Huskies are prone to a host of genetic eye problems. Many people believe that blue-eyed Huskies are more likely to develop these issues than their brown-eyed cousins, but this is not the case. Hereditary or juvenile cataracts, corneal dystrophy, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) have nothing to do with eye pigmentation. They are a result of recessive genes that affect different parts of the eye. Juvenile cataracts usually appear when a Husky puppy is between 6 months and a … Read more

This Genetic Condition Could Affect Your German Shepherd’s Beautiful Eyes

The deep, soulful brown eyes of a German Shepherd can hypnotize you into giving them just about anything they want, whether it be a bite of your sandwich or your favorite recliner. Around middle age, those gorgeous eyes become prone to a serious disease that may lead to blindness. GSDs have the highest genetic predisposition for Chronic Superficial Keratitis – or Pannus – of any dog breed. Pannus is believed to be immune-mediated, meaning some cellular malfunction causes the dog’s … Read more

genetics