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Dogs' DNA reveal new patterns in relationships between breed
Posted on Fri, May. 21, 2004
Dogs' DNA reveal new patterns in relationships between breeds
BY MARK DERR
NEW YORK TIMES

In a study that alters conventional wisdom and paves the way for a better understanding of canine behavior and evolution, scientists say they have found genetic variations that allow them to distinguish between 85 different dog breeds and to identify an individual dog's breed with 99 percent accuracy.

Surprising to dog lovers might be some of the relationships between breeds that the research revealed: The venerable German shepherd is closer genetically to mastiffs, boxers and other "guarding" dogs than to herding dogs. The fleet greyhound, Irish wolfhound, Russian wolfhound and lumbering Saint Bernard count herding dogs among their closest kin. And the Pharaoh hound and Ibizan hound, often called the oldest of breeds, are really recent constructions, as is the Norwegian elkhound.

The researchers emphasized that they have not yet found genes that account for differences in behavior and appearance between breeds -- the mesmerizing stare, or "eye," of a border collie or the spotted coat of a Dalmatian -- but they now have a tool for studying genetic relationships between breeds that should help in that search.

"We can assign a dog to a breed, but we can't tell what behavior it will have," said Elaine Ostrander, a geneticist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington in Seattle. Ostrander co-directed the study with a colleague, Leonid Kruglyak. The results were published in Thursday's edition of Science magazine.

The researchers sorted the 85 breeds into four major groups, based on genetic similarities. Three groups turned out to share physical characteristics, geographic origins or uses -- guarding, herding and hunting. The fourth group consisted of ancient breeds that showed close genetic relationship to wolves. By contrast, the American Kennel Club sorts dogs primarily by use into sporting, working, herding, terrier, hound, toy and nonsporting groups.

Most of the 85 breeds fell into the hunting, herding and guarding groups and were created primarily in Europe or North America during the past 200 years to conform with the concept of purebred dogs, defined by appearance, behavior and closed gene pools, the researchers said. The oldest breeds tend to be most distinct, while the more recent creations, such as retrievers, setters, pointers and hounds in the hunting group, are less well-defined genetically.

Because most breeds come from mixed ancestral stock, the differences between them result mainly from reproductive isolation, reliance on a limited number of "founders" and inbreeding to fix desired traits, Ostrander said. The breeding practices have also left many purebred dogs susceptible to one or more of 350 genetic diseases.

BBB, have you ever read any of Dr. Koren's studies on why people pick the dogs they select? It's really interesting.

Beth
Beth, not his reports specifically, but have read news articles from time to time about similarities between people and their dogs. I wonder what researchers would say about Maddy and me since he is the world's silliest dog?

http://hometown.aol.com/bumblebee004/images/madison%20and%20%20luella%20014.jpg

BBB

Dogs were meant to serve. Cats were meant to be served.