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Grace

Cocker Spaniel

No bio has been provided yet

Place of Birth

Michigan, USA

Current Location

McMillan, MI, USA

This dog has been viewed and been given 2 wags

Registration

American Kennel Club (AKC): EM-9674148

Genetic Breed Result

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Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniels are handsome and intelligent hunting dogs that are also well-suited to life as a loving family pet.

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Here’s what Grace’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 Grace’s breed mix.
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Health Summary

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Grace 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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Grace inherited both copies of the variant we tested

How to interpret this result

Grace has two copies 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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Grace inherited one copy of the variant we tested

Why is this important to your vet?

Grace has one copy of a variant associated with reduced ALT activity as measured on veterinary blood chemistry panels. Please inform your veterinarian that Grace has this genotype, as ALT is often used as an indicator of liver health and Grace is likely to have a lower than average resting ALT activity. As such, an increase in Grace’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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Progressive Retinal Atrophy, prcd (PRCD Exon 1)

Identified in Cocker Spaniels

Familial Nephropathy (COL4A4 Exon 3, Cocker Spaniel Variant)

Identified in Cocker Spaniels

Glycogen storage disease Type VII, Phosphofructokinase Deficiency, PFK Deficiency (PFKM, Whippet and English Springer Spaniel Variant)

Identified in Cocker Spaniels

Acral Mutilation Syndrome (GDNF-AS, Spaniel and Pointer Variant)

Identified in Cocker Spaniels

Exercise-Induced Collapse, EIC (DNM1)

Identified in Cocker Spaniels

Additional Genetic Conditions

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Traits

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

Coat Color

Coat Color

Other Coat Traits

Other Coat Traits

Other Body Features

Other Body Features

Body Size

Body Size

Performance

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Through Grace’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

A1e

Haplotype

A257

Map

A1e

Grace’s Haplogroup

This female lineage likely stems from some of the original Central Asian wolves that were domesticated into modern dogs starting about 15,000 years ago. It seemed to be a fairly rare dog line for most of dog history until the past 300 years, when the lineage seemed to “explode” out and spread quickly. What really separates this group from the pack is its presence in Alaskan village dogs and Samoyeds. It is possible that this was an indigenous lineage brought to the Americas from Siberia when people were first starting to make that trip themselves! We see this lineage pop up in overwhelming numbers of Irish Wolfhounds, and it also occurs frequently in popular large breeds like Bernese Mountain Dogs, Saint Bernards and Great Danes. Shetland Sheepdogs are also common members of this maternal line, and we see it a lot in Boxers, too. Though it may be all mixed up with European dogs thanks to recent breeding events, its origins in the Americas makes it a very exciting lineage for sure!

A257

Grace’s Haplotype

Part of the large A1e haplogroup, this haplotype occurs most commonly in Cocker Spaniels. It’s a rare find!

Irish Wolfhounds are a consistent carrier of A1e.

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

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