Genetics may sound complicated, but luckily you don't need a white coat and a lab to understand the basics! If you are a breeder (or dream of becoming one), knowing genetics will help you make better breeding choices, avoid hereditary problems, and improve the health and characteristics of your breed in the long term.
But where to start? Let's dive into the world of genetics together – in a relaxed and practical way!
1) Genes, chromosomes and inheritance – what are dogs made of?
Each cell in a dog has 39 pairs of chromosomes, which are where the genetic material is packaged. Each puppy gets half of its genes from its mother and half from its father, making each dog a unique combination of the characteristics of its parents.
Genes determine everything from coat color and texture to health and temperament. Some genes are dominant , meaning they appear when you have just one "copy", while recessive genes only appear when you inherit them from both parents.
💡 Example: If a dog has the dominant gene for black (B), it can mask the recessive brown (b). So even if a dog has the brown gene, it will only show up if it gets it from both parents (bb).
2) Hereditary diseases – what every breeder should know
A dog's genetics don't just affect their appearance and behavior – they also determine their susceptibility to hereditary diseases. This is why health testing and pedigree analysis are an essential part of responsible breeding.
Hereditary diseases can be inherited in different ways:
- Autosomal recessive: A dog can carry the disease without showing symptoms, but it will only manifest if the puppy inherits the gene from both parents. (Example: prcd-PRA, which causes retinal atrophy in many breeds.)
- Autosomal dominant: It is enough for the dog to inherit one copy of the gene that causes the disease. (E.g. some hereditary neurological diseases.)
- Polygenic diseases: The combination of several genes can increase the risk of developing the disease, but environmental factors also play a role. (For example, hip dysplasia, where both genetics and lifestyle influence the outcome.)
💡 What can a breeder do?
- Test your dogs (preferably every one you breed) with genetic tests and avoid combinations that may produce diseased offspring.
- Take advantage of breeding programs and pedigree analysis to avoid excessive inbreeding.
- In addition to health results, also consider temperament and structure – a complete genetic package is not just about DNA, but also about the dog's well-being as a whole!
3) Colors, patterns and surprise puppies – how is coat color inherited?
If you've ever been surprised by the color spectrum of your litter, you're not alone! Coat color is a complex combination of different genes, and even if the parents appear to be a certain color, they can still carry hidden color genes.
For example:
- E locus (yellowness/strong red) – If a dog has two recessive e genes (ee), it will be yellow or red, even if the parents are black!
- B locus (brown vs. black) – If a dog has the bb gene combination, their black pigment will change to brown. This also affects the color of their nose and eyes!
- Merle, brindle and other patterns – Some patterns are inherited in a more complex way and can produce surprising combinations, especially if both parents carry them.
💡 Remember: Some color combinations can also be associated with health problems. For example, double merle (MM) can cause serious hearing and vision problems. Therefore, when choosing colors, it is good to know the basics of genetics and the dogs behind the parents!
4) Inbreeding, heterosis and genetic diversity
Inbreeding means combining genetically related dogs, which can increase the expression of desired traits – but also increase the risk of hereditary diseases.
An important task for the breeder is to balance the preservation of breed characteristics and genetic diversity .
- Excessive inbreeding leads to health problems and weakens immunity.
- Heterosis (hybrid vigor) refers to the combination of genetically different individuals, which can improve vigor. This is one reason why crossbreeding is used in certain breeding programs.
- To help with breeding, you can use the COI value (Coefficient of Inbreeding) , which tells you how closely related the puppy's parents are. Less than 6% is considered good. 0% is best, because then the dogs are not related to each other at all.
💡 Balance is key! So don't just look for the most beautiful or successful combination – but the healthiest one in terms of genetics.
Summary: Genetics is a breeder's best tool
Although genes can sometimes seem like a mystery, understanding them is one of the most important tools in responsible breeding. By knowing the hereditary diseases, colors, and factors that affect conformation, you can make better choices for the well-being of both the breed and individual puppies.
What can you do today?
✔️ Learn about the genetic tests that are important for your breed.
✔️ Take advantage of pedigree and breeding programs.
✔️ Avoid excessive inbreeding and invest in diversity.
✔️ Remember that every litter is a step towards the future of the breed – plan wisely!
And most importantly – remember to enjoy breeding! 🐶❤️ Breeding is not just about genetics, but also passion, love and great responsibility. And in the end – even the best genetics are useless if the end result is not a happy, healthy dog.
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