Genetic screening in dogs
Matthew Binns
Veterinary Focus, Vol. 17, No. 2, pp. 18-24, 2007
Abstract
KEY POINTS The recent sequencing of the dog genome has accelerated the rate at which the mutations underlying genetic diseases in the dog are being identified Increasing numbers of genetic screening tests are commercially available which can be used to selectively breed healthier dogs through the reduction and elimination of deleterious mutations Genetic tools are now available that can be used to identify breed specific “fingerprints” for the majority of pure dog breeds. These same tools can be used to determine the breed composition of non-pure breed individuals, presenting opportunities to genetically characterize an enormous range of morphological, behavioral and disease traits The scientific progress made in characterizing dog diseases at the molecular level has increased interest in their use as biomedical models for equivalent human conditions, and it is anticipated that future results from mapping genetic diseases in dogs will have both veterinary and human clinical importance