GENETICS

DNA, Embark (Breed & Health Test)

While this test helps with DNA health testing (i.e. DM testing, etc.), it DOES NOT determine parentage. 

“An Embark Breed + Health dog DNA test enables a dog owner to learn about their pup’s breed, ancestry, health, relatives, and more with a simple cheek swab. With a research-grade DNA genotyping platform, Embark looks at over 350 breeds and more than 175 genetic health conditions and traits. You can discover and connect with dogs that share DNA with yours with the world’s only canine relative finder, free with purchase. The most accurate & highest rated dog DNA kit on the market. ”

• Embark Breed + Health Kit {https://shop.embarkvet.com/products/embark-dog-dna-test-kit}
• note: while Embark may offer parentage DNA, the dog + its sire and dam would need to be tested by Embark in order to match for parentage DNA

DNA, Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) Testing

• OFA {https://www.ofa.org/diseases/dna-tested-diseases/dm}
• GenSol Diagnostics {https://www.gensoldx.com/product/degenerative-myelopathy-dm/}
• DDC DNA Diagnostics Center {https://dnacenter.com/testing-pets-vets/dog-dna-testing/}

DNA, Canine Genetic Diversity

Genetic Diversity Testing for ISSA Shiloh Shepherds {https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/services/dog/GeneticDiversityInShilohShepherd.php}

“The Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL), in collaboration with Dr. Niels C. Pedersen and staff, has developed a panel of short tandem repeat (STR) markers that will assess genetic diversity across the genome and in the Dog Leukocyte Antigen (DLA) class I and II regions. This test panel will be useful to breeders who wish to track and increase genetic diversity of their breed as a long term goal.

Genetic diversity testing of Shiloh Shepherds is now in the preliminary results phase. During this phase, we continue to test more registered dogs to build genetic data necessary to provide breeders with an accurate assessment of genetic diversity in their breed. This report is based on testing of 86 Shiloh Shepherds from North America and Europe. Allele and DLA haplotype frequencies are updated based on the current population of dogs tested.“

This study is sponsored by the ISSA Shiloh registry and concentrates primarily on their breeding stock.

DNA, Additional Resources

• UCDavis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory {https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/services/dog.php}

Introduction to Genetics by Fred Lanting as posted on the Mastiff Reporter Archive:

• Part 1 Intro Natural Selection and Survival of the Fittest, Cell Division and Chromosomes, and the interaction of genes. {http://devinefarm.net/rp/introgen.htm}
• Part 2 Dominance and Polygenic Traits {http://devinefarm.net/rp/gen2.htm}
• Part 3 (and last) gives an idea of “What’s Ahead” and discuss the whether orthopedic disorders such as HD inherited, the variation in polygenic traits, the random nature of polygenic disorders and how much is genetic and how much environmental. {http://devinefarm.net/rp/gen3.htm}

Animal Genetics:

• Internet Articles by Sue Ann Bowling {http://bowlingsite.mcf.com/Genetics/Genetics.html}
• Canine Genetic Diseases {www.gopetsamerica.com/dog-health/genetic_diseases.aspx}
• Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD) {www.upei.ca/~cidd/intro.htm}
• Canine Genetics Primer (includes colour) {http://www.tenset.co.uk/doggen/indexus.html}

Genetic Articles by Dr. John Armstrong:

• Basic Concepts
• Breeding Schemes
• Significant Relationships
• Population Genetics and Breeding
• The Nature of Genetic Disease
• Eliminating Mutation: the impossible dream
• Diversity and the Purebred Dog
• Inbreeding and Diversity
• Diversity in Poodles
• Glossary of Genetic Terms

Genetic Articles by J. Jeffrey Bragg:

• Purebred Dog Breeds into the Twenty-First Century:  Achieving Genetic Health for Our Dogs
  {http://dogdimension.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=shared:purebreddogs21stc}
• The Genetic Tide: Will it Leave Us High and Dry?
  {http://dogdimension.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=shared:genetictide}
• The Genetic Tide Continues to Swell: Will DNA Marker Research Stop the Flood?
  {http://dogdimension.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=shared:genetictideswells}
• Random Genetic Drift: The Breeder’s Hidden Enemy
  {http://dogdimension.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=shared:randomgeneticdrift}
• Canine Population Genetics in Practice: Principles for the Breeder
  {http://dogdimension.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=shared:populationgeneticspractice}

Additional References:

• Basic Dog Breeding Genetics at DogBreedingDecisions.blogspot.com
• Inbreeding, Linebreeding and Crossbreeding from NSAE News, December 2007 {www.netpets.com/dogs/reference/genetics/inbreeda.html}
• Using Inbreeding Coefficients from ASGHI {www.ashgi.org/articles/breeding_coi.htm}
• Canine Population Genetics in Practice: Principles for the Breeder by J. Jeffery Bragg {http://dogdimension.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=shared:populationgeneticspractice}
• The Punnett Square {http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punnett_square}