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Carmela

Mixed Ancestry

“Carmela loves toys. She is smart and energetic. Life for her is one big adventure!”

Place of Birth

Texas, USA

Current Location

White Bear Lake, Minnesota, USA

From

Secondhand Hounds, Baker Road, Minnetonka, MN, USA

This dog has been viewed and been given 2 wags

Genetic Breed Result

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Dachshund

The Dachshund, meaning “badger dog” in German, is a lively breed with a friendly personality and a great sense of smell. Known for their long and low bodies, they are spirited hunters that excel in both above and below-ground work. They come in three different coat varieties (smooth, wirehaired or longhaired) and can be miniature or standard size.

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Shih Tzu

This ancient breed is the perfect lapdog. Sweet and easygoing, they want nothing more than to be close to their humans.

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Chihuahua

Chihuahuas have a huge personality that defies their tiny frame, known to be highly active and intelligent canines.

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Japanese Chin

The Japanese Chin is a little breed that was born to rule the roost. Though Chinese in origin, these dogs were brought to Japan to serve as the companions of Japanese dignitaries. This is a loving dog that knows it is the real deal.

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Dogs Like Carmela

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Discover dogs who share a similar breed mix to Carmela. 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.

DNA Breed Origins

Breed colors:
Dachshund
Shih Tzu
Chihuahua
Japanese Chin

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Here’s what Carmela’s family tree may have looked like.
While there may be other possible configurations of her family’s relationships, this is the most likely family tree to explain Carmela’s breed mix.

Breed Reveal Video

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Health Summary

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Carmela is at increased risk for one genetic health condition.

And inherited one variant that you should learn more about.

Intervertebral Disc Disease (Type I)

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Carmela inherited one copy of the variant we tested

How to interpret this result

Carmela has one copy of an FGF4 retrogene on chromosome 12. In some breeds such as Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, and Dachshunds (among others) this variant is found in nearly all dogs. While those breeds are known to have an elevated risk of IVDD, many dogs in those breeds never develop IVDD. For mixed breed dogs and purebreds of other breeds where this variant is not as common, risk for Type I IVDD is greater for individuals with this variant than for similar dogs.

What is Intervertebral Disc Disease (Type I)?

Type I Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is a back/spine issue that refers to a health condition affecting the discs that act as cushions between vertebrae. With Type I IVDD, affected dogs can have a disc event where it ruptures or herniates towards the spinal cord. This pressure on the spinal cord causes neurologic signs which can range from a wobbly gait to impairment of movement. Chondrodystrophy (CDDY) refers to the relative proportion between a dog’s legs and body, wherein the legs are shorter and the body longer. There are multiple different variants that can cause a markedly chondrodystrophic appearance as observed in Dachshunds and Corgis. However, this particular variant is the only one known to also increase the risk for IVDD.

ALT Activity

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Carmela inherited one copy of the variant we tested

Why is this important to your vet?

Carmela has one copy of a variant associated with reduced ALT activity as measured on veterinary blood chemistry panels. Please inform your veterinarian that Carmela has this genotype, as ALT is often used as an indicator of liver health and Carmela is likely to have a lower than average resting ALT activity. As such, an increase in Carmela’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

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Prekallikrein Deficiency

Identified in Shih Tzus

Progressive Retinal Atrophy, prcd

Identified in Chihuahuas

Progressive Retinal Atrophy, crd4/cord1

Identified in Chihuahuas and Dachshunds

Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IIIA, Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A, MPS IIIA

Identified in Dachshunds

Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 1, NCL 1

Identified in Dachshunds

Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 2, NCL 2

Identified in Dachshunds

Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 7, NCL 7

Identified in Chihuahuas

GM2 Gangliosidosis

Identified in Japanese Chins

Spinocerebellar Ataxia with Myokymia and/or Seizures

Identified in Chihuahuas

Narcolepsy

Identified in Dachshunds

Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Identified in Dachshunds

Additional Genetic Conditions

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Traits

Explore the genetics behind your dog’s appearance and size.

Base Coat Color

Base Coat Color

Coat Color Modifiers

Coat Color Modifiers

Other Coat Traits

Other Coat Traits

Other Body Features

Other Body Features

Body Size

Body Size

Performance

Performance

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Through Carmela’s mitochondrial DNA we can trace her mother’s ancestry back to where dogs and people first became friends. This map helps you visualize the routes that her ancestors took to your home. Their story is described below the map.

Haplogroup

A4

Haplotype

A210

Map

A4

Carmela’s Haplogroup

The A4 maternal lineage is fairly rare. It is found in Cocker Spaniels, but A4 is also represented well among East Asian breeds including the Chinese Crested Dog, Shar-Pei and Shih Tzu. Moving away from Asia, it is also found among Chihuahuas (a very old breed!) and village dogs in Peru. This may be a lineage that moved into Western breeds because of their owners' tendencies to mix them up with Eastern breeds in the early modern period.

A210

Carmela’s Haplotype

Part of the small A4 haplogroup, this haplotype occurs most commonly in Chihuahuas and Maltese.

The popular Chihuahua breed descends from the A4 maternal line.

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The Paternal Haplotype reveals a dog’s deep ancestral lineage, stretching back thousands of years to the original domestication of dogs.

Are you looking for information on the breeds that Carmela inherited from her mom and dad? Check out her breed breakdown and family tree.

Paternal Haplotype is determined by looking at a dog’s Y-chromosome—but not all dogs have Y-chromosomes!

Why can’t we show Paternal Haplotype results for female dogs?

All dogs have two sex chromosomes. Female dogs have two X-chromosomes (XX) and male dogs have one X-chromosome and one Y-chromosome (XY). When having offspring, female (XX) dogs always pass an X-chromosome to their puppy. Male (XY) dogs can pass either an X or a Y-chromosome—if the puppy receives an X-chromosome from its father then it will be a female (XX) puppy and if it receives a Y-chromosome then it will be a male (XY) puppy. As you can see, Y-chromosomes are passed down from a male dog only to its male offspring.

Since Carmela is a female (XX) dog, she has no Y-chromosome for us to analyze and determine a paternal haplotype.

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