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Genetics, DNA Tests & Cloning terms
Dog genetics: DNA tests, genetic diseases and gene editing, cloned dogs and genome studies.
Brachycephalic Having a short, broad skull and flattened muzzle, as in the Pug, Bulldog and French Bulldog, which can narrow the airway and affect breathing and cooling. Brindle A coat pattern of dark, tiger-like stripes over a lighter base of tan, fawn or red, seen in Boxers, Greyhounds, Bulldogs and many others. Dewclaw A small extra digit on the inner side of a dog's leg above the paw, found on the front legs of most dogs and on the hind legs of some breeds. Dog DNA test A cheek-swab or blood test that analyses a dog's genes to estimate its breed mix, check for inherited disease variants or identify certain traits. Dolichocephalic Having a long, narrow skull and a long muzzle, as in the Greyhound, Collie, Borzoi and Saluki. Genetic diversity The variety of genes within a breed or population; closed stud books and heavy use of a few popular sires reduce it and make inherited conditions more common. Health testing The screening of breeding dogs for inherited conditions, such as hip, elbow, heart, eye and DNA tests, whose results are shared with buyers. Inbreeding coefficient A percentage showing how likely a dog is to carry two identical copies of a gene from a shared ancestor, a measure of how closely related its parents were. Landrace dog A local population of dogs shaped by climate, work and natural selection in one region, rather than by a written breed standard and closed stud book. Merle A coat pattern with patches of diluted colour on a darker background, seen in breeds such as the Australian Shepherd, Collie and Great Dane. Orthopedic Foundation for Animals A US non-profit that keeps open databases of health screening results for dogs, including hip and elbow ratings, to help breeders choose healthy parents. PennHIP A hip screening method that measures joint looseness with a stressed x-ray, reported as a distraction index, and can be done in puppies from 16 weeks. Sable A coat colour in which each hair is banded or tipped with black over a lighter base, giving a shaded look as in many Collies and German Shepherds.