“DNA is like a computer program but far, far more advanced than any software ever created.” ― Bill Gates, The Road Ahead
It seems like almost everyone is curious about their DNA these days, with the popularity of human DNA tests like “23andMe” and “AncestryDNAR”. DNA tests for dogs, cats and horses have become popular to test for breeds. But other than the obvious curiosity about the breeds that give your animal their particular color, size, type of fur, and personality characteristics, DNA testing is being used more and more to identify the markers for genetic diseases that your pet may be more likely to develop. DNA divides up into chromosomes, which then are broken down into genes.
It seems like almost everyone is curious about their DNA these days, with the popularity of human DNA tests like “23andMe” and “AncestryDNAR”. DNA tests for dogs, cats and horses have become popular to test for breeds. But other than the obvious curiosity about the breeds that give your animal their particular color, size, type of fur, and personality characteristics, DNA testing is being used more and more to identify the markers for genetic diseases that your pet may be more likely to develop. DNA divides up into chromosomes, which then are broken down into genes. We humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes and dogs contain 39. Whatever the species, what makes each of us different is the order in which they are arranged.
Many genetic health disorders are the result of recessive genes and gene mutations that have come about after centuries of domestication, according to the Institute for Canine Biology. In fact, dogs have the highest number of genetic disorders of domestic animal species, 619. Of those, there are tests for many of these conditions. The good news is that many are breed-specific, so your dog isn’t at risk for all 619!
Universities such as University of Pennsylvania and UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, have offered genetic testing for years, but now it’s more available to the average pet owner, either through your veterinarian or even the breed test kits that have expanded to include some genetic testing.
The most popular DNA tests for dog owners test for breed and descriptions of the breed traits you may see in your dog. Kit tests are done with a cheek swab or tiny brush used to take cells from the inside of the dog’s cheek. Some of these tests, such as Wisdom PanelTM and Embarkr, now offer genetic testing as well. Tests will tell you if your dog is clear, a carrier, or affected.
Embark’sR website says they are “the only canine genetics company that uses a research-grade DNA genotyping platform” that was developed by their scientists at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, and test for more than 170 genetic medical conditions. Wisdom PanelTM says they use IlluminaR InfiniumR chips created specifically for their tests and processed and analyzed at GeneSeek Laboratories, the world’s largest animal genomics testing laboratories; they screen for more than 150 health conditions.
While the number of diseases that can be tested for is very impressive, remember that many of these are breed-specific. Those of us with Great Pyrenees mixes can gain insight by identifying the breeds in our dog and looking at conditions that occur in the breed mix. For those with purebred pyrs, however, the number of options may boil down to a few genetic tests that can apply to the Great Pyrenees breed:
- Degenerative Myelopathy
- Glanzmann Thrombasthenia Type I (GT)
- Canine multifocal retinopathy
- MH – Malignant Hypothermia (a severe complication under general anesthesia that can be fatal and can affect any breed)
- SACS – Neuronal degeneration associated with SACS gene in Great Pyrenees dogs
Bottom line, DNA tests can verify or surprise, and enlighten you about why your dog does certain things (like herd your cats). You can use this knowledge to modify your training techniques to fit your furkid’s breed characteristics and guide him in ways that make sense not only to you, but to his instincts. Identifying the genetic conditions can help you and your vet spot early signs of these conditions and provide the best supportive care through diet, medication and supplements, as well as modifying your dog’s home environment for any physical challenges presented by the condition. Just because your dog is “at risk” for a genetic disease, doesn’t mean he will automatically get the disease. The concept of “Nature versus Nurture” can apply here as well, whether to personality or physical condition, and an informed, educated owner always is the best medicine.
