Cracking the dog genome was hugely important to all of us as purebred dog owners, whether we get our beloved companions from an ethical breeder, we are those ethical breeders, or we own a breed that has, or will, benefit from research.

The genome has accelerated the search for certain genes, while DNA testing allows breeders to avoid mating carriers of those genes.  Other researchers are using genetics to work out relations between dogs.  The genome is helping uncover how breeds have developed over time, and may explain why Bloodhounds have such an acute sense of smell or why Australian Cattle Dogs are so good at herding stock even though the differences between the breeds is, genetically speaking, so small.

Too, we’ve mentioned before that purebred dogs are favored by medical researchers as models because most human diseases have canine counterparts;  the dog genome revealed that 18,473 dog genes have human equivalents.

It was the complete genetic code of a female Boxer named, Tasha”  that was sequenced putting her in the annals of scientific achievement in 2005, but it was the DNA from a Standard Poodle named “Shadow” that launched preliminary work sequencing the canine genome in 2001.

“Ready For Her Closeup” by Kimberly Santini
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