Dog Breeding Science

17/07/2022

Hey guys, we're currently not doing much on our social media but it's still business as usual at the lab. Please visit our website to see what tests and services we offer.
https://breeding.dog/
Please note we are not respoding to messages on messenger.
If you have any questions or are chasing up tests or samples you can email Dr. Kao on [email protected]
Please be aware that it might take some time for Dr. Kao to respond as she works through the current tests and emails in order.
Check out our blog site for lots of interesting information on canine genetics https://breeding.dog/pretty/

15/03/2022

Super interesting, our best buddies are more self aware than we previously realised.

Dogs might not be able to recognize themselves in a mirror, but that doesn't mean our pets don't have some level of self-awareness.

09/03/2022

How do I take a DNA sample from my dog?
Collecting DNA from your dog is easier than you may think! We have made this process as simple as possible for both you and your dog. All you will need is an ordinary cotton tip to collect some cheek cells, and a paper envelope for sending it back to us. Some dogs have more mouth than others, but even smaller cheeks will give us enough cells if you swab using the recommended method. Read more on our blog https://breeding.dog/pretty/?p=35

How do I take a DNA sample from my dog? Posted on April 23, 2018May 8, 2018 by breeding.dog Collecting DNA from your dog is easier than you may think! We have made this process as simple as possible for both you and your dog. All you will need is an ordinary cotton tip to collect some cheek cells, a...

07/03/2022

Shout out today to Dr. Kao and all the fabulous women around Australia and the world, doing what they do, kicking goals, building homes, building communities, creating futures and making the world a better place. We are second to none. Happy International Women's Day.

16/02/2022

Panels are groups of tests that are often chosen together.

This panel includes four tests for disorders that are known to occur in either working Collies, working Kelpies, or both. These tests are CEA (collie eye anomaly), TNS (trapped neutrophil syndrome), CA: VMP1 (cerebellar abiotrophy with onset at 5-8 months of age) and CA: LINGO3 (cerebellar abiotrophy with onset at 8-12 weeks of age).

More information about each of these disorders is available on their individual pages.

There is a one time sample processing fee of $40 per dog and the Working dog core panel is $54 (AUD). Click here for the Working dog core panel https://breeding.dog/index.php?test=wdc

13/02/2022

02/02/2022

Good advice to share with friends or family that are suddenly wanting a working dog after watching Muster Dogs

When you're looking for a dog, Australian kelpie puppies can prove irresistible. Just make sure you know what's involved before you bring one home.

22/01/2022

If you want to know how to order tests from us check out our How To page on our website. There are simple step by step instructions on both ordering tests and taking samples Head over to our website to see more https://breeding.dog/index.php

10/01/2022

This looks pretty awesome! Available on the ABC and iview.

09/01/2022

We're open for business!

Hope everyone is having a great 2022 so far. 😊 We are back in the lab today and working through all the samples sent over Christmas and New Year. If you are wanting to test your dog head over to our website and browse through the tests. You can find them under the menus Good looks (colour tests) and Good Health (genetic tests for health conditions).

Don't worry if you are not sure what to choose, once you select any test, all the tests appear on one page so you can easily browse through the list 😁

We look forward to helping you discover more about your dog. 🐕🐩🐕‍🦺 https://breeding.dog/index.php

04/01/2022

Happy New Year everyone! 😊 Just a reminder that the lab reopens next Monday, 10th January. We're looking forward to a whole new year of testing and discoveries! https://breeding.dog/index.php

20/12/2021

Wow! I can't believe it's almost Christmas again! We would like to thank everyone here for their continued support and take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Christmas. Hope you are all able to get together with family and friends and have a wonderful Chrissy! 🎄
The DBS lab will be closed from Monday 20th December '21 and will reopen on Monday 10th January '22. Need to send samples in? No stress. We will still be collecting the post and safely storing the samples until we reopen the office in the new year.
Warmest wishes from Dr. Kao and the Dog Breeding Science team.

11/12/2021

Dogs come in so many different colours, and their coat colours are created by the interactions of many different genes. The E locus is an important part of this group of genes and is responsible for many red, gold and cream coat colours as well as the classic black mask seen in breeds like Boxers and Pugs.

It is a good idea to choose our E locus panel when you aren't sure which which E locus alleles might be found in your dog. However if you are experienced and already know what you are after, you can order individual tests for either just red/black or just melanistic mask.

We report results from the E locus panel as either e1, E, or Em. It includes the common e1 allele and does not include e2 (found in Huskies) or e3 (found in cream Australian cattle dogs).



There is a one time sample processing fee of $40 per dog and the E locus panel is $16 (AUD). Click here for the E locus panel https://breeding.dog/index.php?test=elo

26/11/2021

Panels are groups of tests that are often chosen together. This panel tests for two genetic variants most strongly associated with CA in working Kelpies and Border Collies (show and working lines).

Dogs with CA can show head tremors, problems with balance and exaggerated or erratic leg movements. These signs get more severe with time.

The CA: VMP1 genetic variant is associated with later onset CA. The CA: LINGO3 variant is associated with early onset CA, where signs start at 4-16 weeks of age.

Positive results from either of the two tests in this panel do not guarantee that a dog will develop CA but they are the best available guide.

A third test, CA: NUP153, has been removed from this panel as we work to determine its usefulness. This test is still available separately.

These tests were developed based on research at the Faculty of Veterinary Science at University of Sydney.



There is a one time sample processing fee of $40 per dog and the Working dog CA (CA panel) panel is $26 (AUD). Click here for the Working dog CA panel https://breeding.dog/index.php?test=cam

19/11/2021

Brown dogs can be found in many different breeds and cross-breeds. Brown dogs are often a beautiful chocolate colour, and have brown instead of black noses.

The brown coat colour in dogs is recessive. This means that some dogs that aren't brown still have the potential to produce brown puppies. It also means that when two brown dogs are bred together, they won't produce any black puppies.

Our B locus brown panel tests for the three known forms of the brown gene. Unfortunately for French Bulldogs this panel does not include Cocoa.



There is a one time sample processing fee of $40 per dog and the B locus (brown) panel is $24 (AUD). Click here for the B locus (brown) panel https://breeding.dog/index.php?test=brn

12/11/2021

Australian Kelpie panel

Panels are groups of tests that are often chosen together.

This panel includes five tests for disorders that are known to occur in Australian Kelpies (bench Kelpies). These tests are:

CEA (collie eye anomaly)
CA (cerebellar abiotrophy, two separate tests)
DM (degenerative myelopathy)
ILM (intestinal lipid malabsorption, Kelpie mini pups)



More information about each of these disorders is available on their individual pages. (Links on the Panel test page)

There is a one time sample processing fee of $40 per dog and the Australian Kelpie panel is $59 (AUD). Click here for the Australian Kelpie panel https://breeding.dog/index.php?test=ake

07/11/2021

Some dogs have a creamy, golden or red coloured coat. Classic examples are yellow Labrador retrievers, Golden retrievers, and Irish setters. The full range of red coat colours are also found in many other breeds and in mixed breed dogs.

The most common reason to test for red/black is to find out if your dog can produce red pups. Dogs with a single copy of red are indistinguishable from dogs with no copies of this gene, but can produce red puppies.

This test is for the common e1 allele and does not include e2 (found in Huskies) or e3 (found in cream Australian cattle dogs).



There is a one time sample processing fee of $40 per dog and the E locus red/black test is $9. Click here for the E locus red/black test https://breeding.dog/index.php?test=blk

01/11/2021

Boxers, pugs and some other breeds have typical look that includes a black face with a lighter body or brindling. This is usually called a mask, or a melanistic mask. Masks can be just around the lips, as you might like see in a Rhodesian ridgeback. Larger masks can go all the way past the eyes.

Masks can be seen on mixed breed dogs as well as purebreds.

Masks can also come in more colours that just plain black! If a dog has two copies of a dilute gene their mask will be dilute. The same applies to brown genes: if a dog has two copies of a brown gene their mask will be brown instead of black.

Owners and breeders can test for the mask allele to find out whether their dog has one or two copies of this gene. There might also be cases where white markings can hide a mask.



There is a one time sample processing fee of $40 per dog and the E locus melanistic mask test is $9 each. Click here for the E locus melanistic mask test https://breeding.dog/index.php?test=msk

25/10/2021

Dilution is the colour gene that dilutes brown to silver, and black to a blue or slate colur. Dilution is a recessive trait. This means that dogs can silently carry the dilute gene, without being dilute themselves. Dogs like this - dilute carriers - can potentially produce dilute puppies.

The dilute type 2 test is for a rare form of the dilution gene that so far has been found in Chow Chows, Sloughis and Thai Ridgebacks. It can create the dilute coat colours by itself or in combination with the common dilute gene.

There is a one time sample processing fee of $40 per dog and the D locus dilute d2 tests are $9 each. Click here for the D locus dilute d2 test https://breeding.dog/index.php?test=dl2

16/10/2021

Seriously, how gorgeous is this?

Best photography

15/10/2021

Brown dogs can be found in many different breeds and cross-breeds. Brown dogs are often a beautiful chocolate colour, and have brown instead of black noses.

The brown coat colour in dogs is recessive. This means that some dogs that aren't brown still have the potential to produce brown puppies. It also means that when two brown dogs are bred together, they won't produce any black puppies.

Our B locus brown panel tests for the three known forms of the brown gene. Unfortunately for French Bulldogs this panel does not include Cocoa.



There is a one time sample processing fee of $40 per dog and the B locus Panel is $24. Click here for the B locus panel https://breeding.dog/index.php?test=brn

09/10/2021

We've been travelling together a really long time https://www.sciencenews.org/article/dog-dna-ancient-trade-network-arctic-siberia-europe-near-east

People in Siberia were exchanging canines and probably other goods as early as 7,000 years ago with cultures as far off as Europe and the Near East.

06/10/2021

How much hair does your dog shed?
There are some dog breeds that shed more hair than others. Dog breeds such as the Siberian Husky and German Shepherd are renowned for their shedding prowess. This is because these breeds, along with many others, have an undercoat. This is a layer of soft fluffy hair that lies underneath the outer coat (or guard coat). The denser this undercoat, the more hair the dog will shed. For those with allergies, or who would rather not commit to regular grooming, high-shedding breeds may not be suitable companions. Read more in our blog https://breeding.dog/pretty/?p=84

02/10/2021

Furnishings are a sort of coat that gives dogs distinctive longer facial hair resembling moustaches.

In some breeds and cross breeds, such as Portugese water dogs and "Doodles" the furnishings coat type not always present. In these cases puppies born without furnishings are said to have an "improper coat".

Breeders can use this test to find out if their dogs are carriers of improper coat. Furnishings are a dominant trait, meaning dogs can be silent carriers for improper coat. The only way to know this is to do a DNA test.


There is a one time sample processing fee of $40 per dog and the Improper coat tests are $9 each. Click here for the Improper coat test https://breeding.dog/index.php?test=imc

25/09/2021

Hair curl is responsible for the beautiful curly coat you see in Poodles, and Bichon Frise and others. Some breeds, such as Maltese Terriers and Border Collies, only occasionally produce puppies with a curly or wavy coat.

The gene which controls curly coat is incompletely dominant. This means that dogs with only one copy of the curl gene will have a wavy coat.

Curly hair can become matted more easily than wavy or straight hair. This is most important for high-shedding dogs whose loose hair can get caught in the curls. This contributes to the formation of cords in Pulis and other corded dogs.



There is a one time sample processing fee of $40 per dog and the Curly Coat tests are $9 each. Click here for the Curly Coat test https://breeding.dog/index.php?test=cur

19/09/2021

Coat length is the defining characteristic of many dog breeds. The Afghan Hound and Shih Tzu are known for their long flowing hairstyles. Others such as the Greyhound have sleek short coats.

In some breeds it is possible for puppies to be born with either long or short hair, for instance Dachshunds and Siberian huskies. Breeders can use this test to find out the likelihood of breeding long or short haired puppies.

The L1 length gene is the most common cause of long-hair in dogs. Dogs with Akita, Samoyed or Siberian husky breeding should also use the L2 test.

There is a one time sample processing fee of $40 per dog and the Coat Length tests are $9 each.

Click here for the Coat length L (common form) test https://breeding.dog/index.php?test=len



Click here for the Coat length L2 test https://breeding.dog/index.php?test=ln2

15/09/2021

How soon can I take samples from a puppy?

You can collect DNA from puppies at any age! If the puppies are not weaned they will need to be separated from mum and from each other for at least 30 minutes beforehand. This will prevent cross-contamination of DNA from the mum and litter mates. Do not give them food in this period, but do provide plenty of fresh water.

If the puppies are not easily identifiable by coat markings then we recommend waiting until they are microchipped before taking samples. Clearly label the envelope with the microchip number before posting the cotton tip back to us. This way we can easily assign the test results to the correct puppy and avoid any confusion of identity.

Visit Dog Breeding Science https://breeding.dog/index.php

11/09/2021

Trapped neutrophil syndrome (TNS) is a disorder that impacts the immune system. Dogs with TNS can show early infections starting at around six weeks of age, react badly to immunisation, or be smaller than their litter mates. They usually struggle with frequent or ongoing infections, and most end up being euthanised.

TNS is found in all lines of border collies and may also be present in working Kelpies due to interbreeding in the past.

TNS is an autosomal recessive disorder. Autosomal disorders are equally likely to affect male or female dogs, while "recessive" means that a dog needs to inherit the TNS mutation from both its parents to be affected.



There is a one time sample processing fee of $40 per dog and the Trapped neutrophil syndrome (TNS) tests are $14 each. Click here to order the Trapped neutrophil syndrome (TNS) test for your dog https://breeding.dog/index.php?test=tns

30/08/2021

Collie eye anomoaly (CEA) can cause total or partial blindness and occasionally bleeding inside the eye. It is also called choroidal hypoplasia.

The choroid is a layer of tissue under the retina with lots of blood vessels. In dogs with CEA it does not develop properly. In most cases the abnormal choroid is present at birth and can be seen in an eye examination at 4-8 weeks of age.

CEA is an autosomal recessive disorder. Autosomal disorders are equally likely to affect male or female dogs, while "recessive" means that a dog needs to inherit the CEA mutation from both its parents to be affected. Some dogs that inherit the CEA mutation from both parents are unaffected. This is why we categorise this test as a marker rather than a causative mutation.



There is a one time sample processing fee of $40 per dog and the Collie eye anomoaly (CEA) tests are $14 each. Click here to order the Collie eye anomoaly (CEA) test https://breeding.dog/index.php?test=cea

26/08/2021

Wishing all good boys and girls a Happy International Dog day