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Afghan Hound, Airedale Terrier, Akita, Basenji, Basset Hound, Beagle, Belgian
Tervuren, Bernese Mountain Dog, Bichon Frise, Border Collie, Borzoi, Boston
Terrier, Boxer, Brittany,
Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Chihuahua, Chinese Shar-Pei, Chow Chow, Cocker Spaniel, Collie,
Dachshund, Dalmatian, Doberman Pinscher, English Setter, English Springer
Spaniel, German Shepherd Dog, German Shorthaired Pointer, Golden Retriever,
Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greyhound, Irish Setter, Italian Greyhound,
Kesshond, Labrador Retriever, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Mastiff, Miniature
Pinscher, Newfoundland, Norwegian Elkhound, Papillon, Pekingese,
Pomeranian Welsh corgi, Pomeranian, Poodle, Pug, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Saluki,
Schnauzer, Scottish
Terrier, Shetland Sheepdog, Shih Tzu, Siberian Husky,
Weimaraner, West Highland White Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier. |
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DNA Testing - Why this is important
It is almost impossible to determine the accuracy of any Canine DNA analysis.
This is because all dogs are very closely related come from the same ancestors a
short time ago. Most breeds only became differentiated within the last 200
years. There are a great many close family links and it is possible to detect a
very, very low level of DNA that are more closely associated with other breeds
resulting as a indication of presence of other breeds.
It is known that not all canines that are touted as “pure breed” animals; are
actually pure breed back through the generations and this situation is made
worse for some breeds as there were controlled cross breeding programs allowed
in the past to enhance or remove certain traits. For example, a pure bred Irish
Setter could conceivably contain English Setter DNA. Therefore defining accuracy
in the genetic makeup currently is not scientifically justifiable.
There are 2.5 million mapped SNP (single nucleotide polymorphisms) markers
identified in the canine genome. The AKC, American Kennel Club, registers 130
breeds of pure breed dogs of which 61 breeds represent 92.5% of all known
companion breeds. Understanding the genetic makeup of a mixed breed dog leads to
a better understanding of behavior, disease predispositions. The composition of
DNA code is based on specific combinations of SNPs, Adenine (A), Cytosine (C),
Guanine (G) and Thymine (T).
Depending upon the location within the chromosomes, this combination may
determine whether the dog is a Boxer, Labrador, Beagle or Poodle amongst many
other breeds. These are in essence the Breed Signatures for the Canine
Familiaris or dog. Mapping gene variation through PCR Amplification (Polymerase
Chain Reaction) that involves selective hybridization, sequencing, the analysis
of single base-pair extension reactions, single nucleotide polymorphisms
combined with statistical methods of analysis, determines the physical traits of
the mixed breed dog.
These traits explain coat colors, tail styles, coat textures, coat lengths,
behavior, canine disease, disease predispositions, ear types, muzzle shapes to
the pet owner as well as the Veterinarian. The Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition
utilizes these techniques from blood and whereas BioPet Veterinary Laboratories
utilizes saliva samples. Saliva samples collect the Buccal Cells through a cheek
swab process and the home based collection technique deposits these cells onto a
special sample matrix for analysis via a PCR and genetic analyzer.
Mars Veterinary utilizes blood samples are collected from the animal’s paw and
stored in an EDTA blood collection tube for analysis. The cheek swab is a Home
Based Test sample collection for dogs. The results of Breed Identification can
determine who the grandparents because the results of the analysis are compared
to a library of various canine markers allowing a mapped genetic variation to be
made. Another benefit is, the breed composition of the owner’s mutt may
determine what type of nutrition and veterinary pet care is needed. The
appearance and behavior is always determined by gene coding, variants, history,
homogeneity, disorders, mutations and genetic signatures, leading additionally
to breed detection. |