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Baloo inherited both copies of the variant we tested
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Genetic Age
Please note that genetic age is different from calendar age. We can now estimate your dog's calendar age with the Embark Age Test.
The genetic age in this report is an estimation of where your dog is in his or her healthspan. Dogs age at very different rates due to a number of genetic and environmental factors. Body size is a strong genetic influence: for example, a seven year old Great Dane is at the start of his golden years, but a seven year old Pomeranian is just learning what "slow down" means. Just within this example, you can see that the old "one doggie year = seven human years" adage isn’t going to work. And yet, knowing your dog’s age is important: it informs what your dog needs as far as food, frequency of veterinary checkups, and exercise. So how do you best determine how old your dog is?
Embark's genetic age feature calculates how old your dog would be if he or she were aging at an average human rate (using humans in the USA as the baseline). So going back to our Dane/Pom example, we'd estimate a seven year old Great Dane at about 80 years old (senior citizen), but a seven year old Pom would be about 42 (adult). Makes way more sense, right?
Personalized genetic age table for Baloo
| Calendar age | Genetic age |
|---|---|
| 1 year | 17 human years |
| 2 years | 25 human years |
| 3 years | 31 human years |
| 4 years | 38 human years |
| 5 years | 44 human years |
| 6 years | 51 human years |
| 7 years | 57 human years |
| 8 years | 64 human years |
| 9 years | 70 human years |
| 10 years | 77 human years |
| 11 years | 83 human years |
| 12 years | 90 human years |
| 13 years | 96 human years |
All we need from you is a calendar age. It's okay if this is an estimation: it is just a starting point. We then factor in your dog's breed composition, information at certain genes that affect size, and their inbreeding coefficient to calculate genetic age. Like in humans, in dogs females tend to live longer than males (so an “80 year old” female dog = 80 year old woman). Exercise and diet also play a role in how long your dog will live. Nevertheless, genetic age is the primary risk factor for numerous diseases in dogs, including cancer, kidney disease, osteoarthritis, cataracts, cardiac disease and cognitive decline. It can help you and your vet know what you should feed your dog, what screenings to get, and other aspects of your dog’s care.
Wolfiness score
How wolfy is my dog?
Most dogs have wolfiness scores of 1% or less. We find populations and breeds with higher scores of 2-4% occasionally, and unique dogs with scores of 5% or above more rarely.
What it means for my dog
Your dog’s Wolfiness Score is not a measure of recent dog-wolf hybridization and does not necessarily indicate that your dog has some recent wolf ancestors. (If your dog has recent wolf ancestors, you will see that in the breed mix report.) Instead, the Wolfiness Score is based on the number of ancient genetic variants your dog has in our unique Wolfiness marker panel. Wolfiness scores up to 10% are almost always due to ancient wolf genes that survived many generations, rather than any recent wolf ancestors. These ancient genes may be a few thousand years old, or may even date back to the original domestication event 15,000 years ago. They are bits of a wild past that survive in your dog!
The science
Your dog’s Wolfiness Score is based on hundreds of markers across the genome where dogs (or almost all of them) are the same, but wolves tend to be different. These markers are thought to be related to "domestication gene sweeps" where early dogs were selected for some trait. Scientists have known about “domestication gene sweeps” for years, but do not yet know why each sweep occurred. By finding rare dogs carrying an ancient variant at a certain marker, we can make associations with behavior, size, metabolism, and development that likely caused these unique signatures of “doggyness” in the genome.
Predicted Adult Weight
How does weight matter?
For people with puppies, you probably want to know how big of a crate to buy or just how big to expect your dog to become. But genetic weight is also useful for people with fully grown dogs. Just like with people, overweight and obese dogs suffer reduced length and quality of life. They can develop chronic health conditions and suffer from limited mobility and other issues. While over half of American dogs are overweight or obese, fewer than 15% of their owners realize it. By comparing your dog’s weight to their genetic predicted weight you have one more piece of information about their ideal weight. With this and other pieces of information like weight history and body condition, you and your veterinarian may want to discuss your dog’s diet, exercise, and weight control plan to give your pup the longest, healthiest life possible.
How do we predict weight?
Our test is the only dog DNA test that provides true genetic size not based just on breed ancestry but based on over a dozen genes known to influence a dog’s weight. It uses the most advanced science to determine your dog’s expected weight based on their sex, the combination of these genes, and breed-specific modifiers.
How accurate is the predicted weight?
Unlike in people, healthy weight in dogs is controlled largely by only a few genes. Our algorithm explains over 85% of the variance in healthy adult weight. However, due to a few as-yet-undiscovered genes and genetic interactions that affect size, this algorithm sometimes misses. Occasionally it misses by a fairly large amount especially when a dog has a breed with an unknown size-influencing gene. If we have missed your dog’s weight, your dog may be a scientific discovery waiting to happen! Please be sure to go to the Research tab and complete the Getting to know your dog survey, where you can answer questions about your dog’s current weight and body shape. This information will inform our ongoing research into the genetics of size and weight in dogs.
Haplotypes
Revealing your dog’s ancient heritage
Haplotypes are particular DNA sequences that are inherited entirely from a dog’s mom (maternal) or dad (paternal).
Because they are inherited whole, your dog and his or her mom share the exact same maternal haplotype. If you have a male dog, your dog and his dad share the exact same paternal haplotype (female dogs don’t inherit paternal haplotypes).
Because most breeds were started with only a few individual dogs, many breeds are dominated by only one or a few haplotypes.
Haplogroups
Revealing your dog’s ancient heritage
Haplogroups are groups of similar DNA sequences (called haplotypes) that are inherited entirely from the mother (maternal) or father (paternal) and don’t get shuffled up like other parts of your dog’s genome.
These groups all originally descend from one male or female wolf, usually one that lived tens of thousands of years ago. Because they are inherited whole and not shuffled like other DNA, they can be used to trace the ancestral routes that dogs took around the globe en route to your home.
Only male dogs have paternal haplogroups because they are determined by the Y chromosome, which only male dogs have. Both males and females have maternal haplogroups, which come from a part of DNA called the mitochondrial DNA.
Breed analysis
Breed analysis is based on comparing your dog’s DNA with the DNA of dogs from over 350 breeds, types and varieties.How are Baloo's ancestors represented in his DNA?
All dogs are related and share some DNA. Siblings share lots of their DNA (half of it in fact), cousins share a bit less (an eighth), and so on. Because dog breeds are made up of a closed group of dogs, all dogs in that breed share a lot of their DNA, typically about as much as second cousins, though it varies by breed. Different breeds that are closely related share somewhat less DNA, and dogs from very different breeds share even less DNA (but still much more DNA than either dog shares with a cat).
DNA is inherited in pieces, called chromosomes, that are passed along from parent to offspring. Each generation, these chromosomes are broken up and shuffled a bit in a process known as recombination. So, the length of the segments your dog shares with his ancestors decreases with each generation above him: he shares longer segments with his mom than his grandma, longer segments with his grandma than his great-grandma, and so on.
How does Embark know which breeds are in Baloo?
We can use the length of segments Baloo shares with our reference dogs to see how many generations it has been since they last shared an ancestor. Long segments of DNA that are identical to known purebred dogs tell Embark's scientists that Baloo has, without a doubt, a relative from that breed. By testing thousands of genetic markers, we build up his genes one DNA segment at a time, to learn the ancestry with great certainty.
What does this mean for Baloo's looks and behavior?
Look closely and you'll probably find Baloo has some physical and/or behavioral resemblance with his ancestor's breeds. The exact similarity depends on which parts of DNA Baloo shares with each breed. Some traits associated with each breed are listed in the Breed & Ancestry section of our website. Embark will tell you even more about Baloo's traits soon!
P.S. In a small proportion of cases, we find dogs that don’t share segments with other dogs we have tested, indicating the presence of a rare breed that is not part of our reference panel or possibly a true "village dog" without any purebred relatives at all. In these rare cases we contact the owner to find out more and let them know about their unique dog before they get their results. With this in-depth detective work, we are pushing science forward by identifying genetically unique groups of dogs.
Still have questions?
Let us know with our contact form.
What are “Dogs Like Baloo?”
“Dogs Like Baloo” are based on the percentage of breeds the two dogs have in common. For example, two dogs that are both 27% Golden Retriever and 73% Poodle will have a score of 100%. Sometimes dogs with high scores look alike, and sometimes they don’t — either way the comparison is based on each dog’s unique DNA.
“Baloo came to us from a farm in Missouri by way of a rescue in Wisconsin. He is very energetic and loves nothing more than to chase down balls in the park or run sprints on the beach. When we first got him he was all white with a piebald face, but as he has gotten older some brown spots are starting to come in on his back much to our surprise.”
Instagram tag
@baloo_meets_world_
Place of Birth
Missouri, USA
Current Location
Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
From
Wisconsin, USA
This dog has been viewed and been given 81 wags
Registration
Microchip: 982000409592482
Genetic Breed Result
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Embark Supermutt analysis
What’s in that Supermutt? There may be small amounts of DNA from these distant ancestors:
Siberian Husky
Bred initially in Northern Siberia, the Siberian Husky is a medium-sized working dog who is quick and light on their feet. Their moderately compact and well furred body, erect ears and brush tail suggest their Northern heritage. Huskies are very active and energetic and are known for being long distance sled dogs.
Learn More
Golden Retriever
Developed as an ideal hunting retriever, the Golden Retriever's eagerness to please and friendliness has made them an extremely popular family pet.
Learn More
Australian Cattle Dog
A classic cattle dog, Australian Cattle Dogs were developed from a mixture of breeds in Australia in the 19th century, and still maintain their energetic herding instincts today.
Learn More
Norwegian Elkhound
The Norwegian Elkhound was the main companion of the Vikings. These guys have been used in almost every role imaginable for a dog. In modern times, they are primarily companion dogs, but they are still used for hunting and herding.
Learn More
Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniels are handsome and intelligent hunting dogs that are also well-suited to life as a loving family pet.
Learn More
German Shepherd Dog
German Shepherds are confident, courageous dogs with a keen sense of smell and notable intelligence. These are active working dogs who excel at many canine sports and tasks -- they are true utility dogs! Their versatility combined with their loyal companionship has them consistently listed as one of the most popular breeds in the United States.
Learn More
Start a conversation! Message this dog’s humans.
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Dogs Like Baloo
Discover dogs who share a similar breed mix to Baloo. A higher score means the two dogs have more of their breed mix in common. A score of 100% means they share the exact same breed mix!
Click or tap on a pic to learn more about each dog and see an in-depth comparison of their DNA, breeds, and more.
Building blocks of life
See which breed every part of Baloo’s DNA comes from!
Genes from your dog’s breeds serve as the building blocks to creating your unique pooch
Dogs have 39 pairs of chromosomes, almost double humans who have 23. 38 of those pairs are the same for all dogs while the 39th is the sex chromosomes - two X’s for females and one X and one Y for males. One copy of each chromosome came from your dog’s mother and one from your dog’s father. Each copy contains between 24 million and 123 million bases, or letters of DNA code, for 2.5 billion total letters inherited from each parent. This chromosome illustration shows a representation of each of your dog’s 38 pairs of chromosomes (excluding the X and Y sex chromosomes).
Because the members of a breed have similar stretches of DNA, we can use our panel of thousands of genetic markers to determine what part of each chromosome in your dog came from what breed. For each pair of chromosomes, your dog’s mom and dad each gave your dog one copy of that chromosome, for a grand total of 78 chromosomes. So if your dog’s mom was a poodle and dad was a schnauzer then the painting would show one complete poodle and one complete schnauzer chromosome for each pair. The more complex your dog’s ancestry, the more complex the painting, as in each generation recombination (the splitting apart and "shuffling around" of genes between paired chromosomes) mixes up bits of chromosome from grandparents, great-grandparents, and beyond.
Each trait your dog exhibits, such as fur shedding, is based on the letter at one or more locations in your dog’s genome. For example the location determining if your dog sheds their fur is located on chromosome 1. Some other traits, like size, are complexly inherited from many locations, including ones on chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 7, 10, 15, and more. Your dog looks the way it does not because of averaging or blending the breeds that form it, but because specific traits were inherited from specific breeds. That’s one reason your mix may look, act, and have certain health issues much more like one breed than another!
DNA Breed Origins
Breed colors:
Siberian Husky
Golden Retriever
Australian Cattle Dog
Norwegian Elkhound
Cocker Spaniel
German Shepherd Dog
Supermutt
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Health Summary
Baloo is at increased risk for two genetic health conditions.
And inherited one variant that you should learn more about.
Urate Kidney & Bladder Stones
How to interpret this result
Baloo has two copies of a variant in the SLC2A9 gene and is at risk for developing HUU. If you notice Baloo straining to urinate, producing urine tinged with blood, or not producing any urine at all, please seek veterinary care immediately; these are signs of urinary obstruction secondary to urolithiasis and could be life threatening.
What is Urate Kidney & Bladder Stones?
This condition causes kidney and bladder stones composed of urate. In most dogs, uric acid is converted to allantoin, an inert substance that is then excreted in the urine. Dogs with HUU have defects in the pathway that converts uric acid to allantoin. As such, uric acid builds up, crystallizes and forms urate stones in the kidney and bladder. Uric acid is an intermediate of purine metabolism. While hyperuricemia in other species (including humans) can lead to painful conditions such as gout, dogs do not develop systemic signs of hyperuricemia.
Ichthyosis, ICH1
Baloo inherited both copies of the variant we tested
How to interpret this result
Baloo has two copies of a variant at PNPLA1 and is at risk for developing ichthyosis. Please consult your veterinarian to discuss further diagnostics, treatment, and care for this condition.
What is Ichthyosis, ICH1?
This skin disorder gets its name from the thick, darkly pigmented scales of skin ("ichthys" is Greek for "fish") that affected dogs display over most areas of the body, not including the head or extremities.
ALT Activity
Baloo inherited one copy of the variant we tested
Why is this important to your vet?
Baloo has one copy of a variant associated with reduced ALT activity as measured on veterinary blood chemistry panels. Please inform your veterinarian that Baloo has this genotype, as ALT is often used as an indicator of liver health and Baloo is likely to have a lower than average resting ALT activity. As such, an increase in Baloo’s ALT activity could be evidence of liver damage, even if it is within normal limits by standard ALT reference ranges.
What is ALT Activity?
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is a clinical tool that can be used by veterinarians to better monitor liver health. This result is not associated with liver disease. ALT is one of several values veterinarians measure on routine blood work to evaluate the liver. It is a naturally occurring enzyme located in liver cells that helps break down protein. When the liver is damaged or inflamed, ALT is released into the bloodstream.
Breed-Relevant Genetic Conditions
30 variants not detected
Multiple Drug Sensitivity
Identified in Australian Cattle Dogs and German Shepherd Dogs
Variant not detected
Hemophilia A
Identified in German Shepherd Dogs
Variant not detected
Hemophilia A
Identified in German Shepherd Dogs
Variant not detected
Canine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency Type III, CLAD III
Identified in German Shepherd Dogs
Variant not detected
Progressive Retinal Atrophy, prcd
Identified in Australian Cattle Dogs, Cocker Spaniels, and more
Variant not detected
Golden Retriever Progressive Retinal Atrophy 1, GR-PRA1
Identified in Golden Retrievers
Variant not detected
Golden Retriever Progressive Retinal Atrophy 2, GR-PRA2
Identified in Golden Retrievers
Variant not detected
Collie Eye Anomaly
Identified in Australian Cattle Dogs
Variant not detected
Day Blindness
Identified in German Shepherd Dogs
Variant not detected
Primary Open Angle Glaucoma
Identified in Norwegian Elkhounds
Variant not detected
Primary Lens Luxation
Identified in Australian Cattle Dogs
Variant not detected
Cystinuria Type II-A
Identified in Australian Cattle Dogs
Variant not detected
Familial Nephropathy
Identified in Cocker Spaniels
Variant not detected
Anhidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia
Identified in German Shepherd Dogs
Variant not detected
Renal Cystadenocarcinoma and Nodular Dermatofibrosis
Identified in German Shepherd Dogs
Variant not detected
Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII, Sly Syndrome, MPS VII
Identified in German Shepherd Dogs
Variant not detected
Glycogen storage disease Type VII, Phosphofructokinase Deficiency, PFK Deficiency
Identified in Cocker Spaniels
Variant not detected
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 5, NCL 5
Identified in Australian Cattle Dogs
Variant not detected
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 8, NCL 8
Identified in Australian Cattle Dogs
Variant not detected
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 5, NCL 5
Identified in Golden Retrievers
Variant not detected
GM1 Gangliosidosis
Identified in Siberian Huskies
Variant not detected
Degenerative Myelopathy, DM
Identified in German Shepherd Dogs, Golden Retrievers, and more
Variant not detected
Acral Mutilation Syndrome
Identified in Cocker Spaniels
Variant not detected
Muscular Dystrophy
Identified in Golden Retrievers
Variant not detected
Exercise-Induced Collapse, EIC
Identified in Cocker Spaniels
Variant not detected
Myotonia Congenita
Identified in Australian Cattle Dogs
Variant not detected
Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa
Identified in Golden Retrievers
Variant not detected
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Identified in Golden Retrievers
Variant not detected
Intervertebral Disc Disease (Type I)
Identified in Cocker Spaniels
Variant not detected
Chondrodystrophy
Identified in Norwegian Elkhounds
Variant not detected
Additional Genetic Conditions
131 variants not detected
Explore
Through Baloo’s mitochondrial DNA we can trace his mother’s ancestry back to where dogs and people first became friends. This map helps you visualize the routes that his ancestors took to your home. Their story is described below the map.
Haplogroup
D
Haplotype
D1/3/8
D
Baloo’s Haplogroup
D is a rare maternal line, which may be the result of an ancient dog breeding with another canid, possibly a wolf. It is found in Afghan Hounds and Scandinavian dog breeds.
D1/3/8
Baloo’s Haplotype
A member of the small D haplogroup, this rare haplotype occurs in Finnish Lapphunds and Jamthunds.
Afghan Hounds are one of few breeds that descends from this rare maternal line.
Explore
Through Baloo’s Y-chromosome we can trace his father’s ancestry back to where dogs and people first became friends. This map helps you visualize the routes that his ancestors took to your home. Their story is described below the map.
Haplogroup
A1a
Haplotype
H1a.8
A1a
Baloo’s Haplogroup
Some of the wolves that became the original dogs in Central Asia around 15,000 years ago came from this long and distinguished line of male dogs. After domestication, they followed their humans from Asia to Europe and then didn't stop there. They took root in Europe, eventually becoming the dogs that founded the Vizsla breed 1,000 years ago. The Vizsla is a Central European hunting dog, and all male Vizslas descend from this line. During the Age of Exploration, like their owners, these pooches went by the philosophy, "Have sail, will travel!" From the windy plains of Patagonia to the snug and homey towns of the American Midwest, the beaches of a Pacific paradise, and the broad expanse of the Australian outback, these dogs followed their masters to the outposts of empires. Whether through good fortune or superior genetics, dogs from the A1a lineage traveled the globe and took root across the world. Now you find village dogs from this line frolicking on Polynesian beaches, hanging out in villages across the Americas, and scavenging throughout Old World settlements. You can also find this "prince of patrilineages" in breeds as different as German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Pugs, Border Collies, Scottish Terriers, and Irish Wolfhounds. No male wolf line has been as successful as the A1a line!
H1a.8
Baloo’s Haplotype
Part of the large A1a haplogroup, this very common haplotype occurs in village dogs throughout the world (including southeast Asia, which is uncommon for A1a’s). Among the 25 breeds we see this haplotype in, it occurs most frequently in Labrador Retriever, Vizsla, and English Springer Spaniel.
Dogs with A1a lineage travelled during European Colonial times.