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“Rocky”
Rocky

Australian Shepherd

No bio has been provided yet

Instagram tag
@levithemerleaussie

Place of Birth

Belleville, ON, Canada

Current Location

Brockville, Ontario, Canada

From

Belleville, ON, Canada

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Registration

Microchip: 90002600451487

Genetic Breed Result

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Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherds are an energetic mid-sized breed that make the perfect companion.

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DNA Breed Origins

Breed colors:
Australian Shepherd

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Changes to this dog’s profile
  • On 1/4/2022 changed name from "Levi" to "Rocky"
Here’s what Rocky’s family tree may have looked like.
While there may be other possible configurations of his family’s relationships, this is the most likely family tree to explain Rocky’s breed mix.

Breed Reveal Video

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Health Summary

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Rocky is at increased risk for two genetic health conditions.

And inherited one variant that you should learn more about.

Hereditary Cataracts

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Rocky inherited one copy of the variant we tested

How to interpret this result

Rocky has one copy of a variant in the HSF4 gene that is thought to cause juvenile cataracts in the Australian Shepherd. variants in HSF4 have been reported in humans with juvenile cataracts; two variants have been identified in dogs. Please consult with your veterinarian regarding further diagnostics and a treatment plan for Rocky.

What is Hereditary Cataracts?

Cataracts are the result of a progressive disease of the lens. The lens is normally a transparent structure of precisely organized fibers that lives in the pupil and focuses light. Cataracts cause the lens fibers to become disordered and turns the lens into a milky blue color. The lens is no longer transparent, light fails to reach the retina, and blindness is the end result. With this genetic mutation, dogs can develop cataracts at only a few weeks to months of age.

Intervertebral Disc Disease (Type I)

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Rocky inherited one copy of the variant we tested

What does this result mean?

Follow-up by our experts indicates that this genetic variant is associated with an increase to Rocky’s risk for developing Intervertebral Disc Disease (Type I).

Scientific Basis

Research studies for this variant have been based on dogs of other breeds. While dogs with similar breeds to Rocky have not yet been the focus of research studies, our data indicates that Rocky is likely to be at increased risk.

Impact on Breeding

While further investigation is warranted to determine the clinical presentation and penetrance in Rocky’s breed, we recommend taking this genetic result into account when making breeding decisions.

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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Rocky inherited one copy of the variant we tested

Why is this important to your vet?

Rocky has one copy of a variant associated with reduced ALT activity as measured on veterinary blood chemistry panels. Please inform your veterinarian that Rocky has this genotype, as ALT is often used as an indicator of liver health and Rocky is likely to have a lower than average resting ALT activity. As such, an increase in Rocky’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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Multiple Drug Sensitivity (ABCB1)

Identified in Australian Shepherds and Australian Shepherds

Progressive Retinal Atrophy, prcd (PRCD Exon 1)

Identified in Australian Shepherds and Australian Shepherds

Collie Eye Anomaly (NHEJ1)

Identified in Australian Shepherds and Australian Shepherds

Canine Multifocal Retinopathy, cmr1 (BEST1 Exon 2)

Identified in Australian Shepherds and Australian Shepherds

Urate Kidney & Bladder Stones (SLC2A9)

Identified in Australian Shepherds and Australian Shepherds

Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 6, NCL 6 (CLN6 Exon 7, Australian Shepherd Variant)

Identified in Australian Shepherds and Australian Shepherds

Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 8, NCL 8 (CLN8, Australian Shepherd Variant)

Identified in Australian Shepherds and Australian Shepherds

Degenerative Myelopathy, DM (SOD1A)

Identified in Australian Shepherds

Craniomandibular Osteopathy, CMO (SLC37A2)

Identified in Australian Shepherds and Australian Shepherds

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

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Body Size

Body Size

Performance

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Through Rocky’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

A1d

Haplotype

A604

Map

A1d

Rocky’s Haplogroup

This female lineage can be traced back about 15,000 years to some of the original Central Asian wolves that were domesticated into modern dogs. The early females that represent this lineage were likely taken into Eurasia, where they spread rapidly. As a result, many modern breed and village dogs from the Americas, Africa, through Asia and down into Oceania belong to this group! This widespread lineage is not limited to a select few breeds, but the majority of Rottweilers, Afghan Hounds and Wirehaired Pointing Griffons belong to it. It is also the most common female lineage among Papillons, Samoyeds and Jack Russell Terriers. Considering its occurrence in breeds as diverse as Afghan Hounds and Samoyeds, some of this is likely ancient variation. But because of its presence in many modern European breeds, much of its diversity likely can be attributed to much more recent breeding.

A604

Rocky’s Haplotype

Part of the A1d haplogroup, the A604 haplotype occurs most commonly in Australian Shepherds. It's a rare find!

The vast majority of Rottweilers have the A1d haplogroup.

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Through Rocky’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.46

Map

A1a

Rocky’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.46

Rocky’s Haplotype

Part of the A1a haplogroup, this haplotype occurs most frequently in mixed breed dogs.

Dogs with A1a lineage travelled during European Colonial times.

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