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Merlot

Basenji

“Merlot came to our rescue when he was just three years old. He had been in three homes between the ages of two and three years. He's a local boy, terribly adorable. He wins over anyone who meets him. He does get easily excited. He has a very classic brindle basenji look who does a Captain Morgan imitation when he pees. Impatient at mealtime, he will make lots of noises - baroos, whines and the single bark that some basenjis can do. He's a delightful mix of mischief and affection.”

This dog has been viewed and been given 2 wags

Genetic Breed Result

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Basenji

The Basenji is one of the first dogs mentioned in recorded history. These small guys are quiet and can not physically bark. Many of their characteristics can be considered cat-like. Basenjis can make great companions with strong training and patience.

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Here’s what Merlot’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 Merlot’s breed mix.
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Through Merlot’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

A1e

Haplotype

A258

Map

A1e

Merlot’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!

A258

Merlot’s Haplotype

Part of the large A1e haplogroup, this haplotype occurs in Basenjis and village dogs from Uganda and Egypt.

Irish Wolfhounds are a consistent carrier of A1e.

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Through Merlot’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

F

Haplotype

H9

Map

F

Merlot’s Haplogroup

F is the odd duck in the family of domestic dog male lineages. This paternal lineage is genetically closer to wolves, foxes, and jackals than to other dogs. This indicates that it came into the dog population after dogs were originally domesticated, when one particularly attractive male wolf mated with a female dog, over 6,000 years ago. Since then, these dogs found their way into Africa and Mongolia. It hasn't been found outside those areas except in Basenjis. Basenjis are an iconic African breed, that first made its way to the USA in the early 20th century when a handful of individuals were imported from the Congo. The Basenji is an ancient breed which is distantly related to other dog breeds (most of which are European or Asian), and it has the earliest separation date from all other breed populations. Unsurprisingly, the F lineage has also been found in African village dogs, as well as, surprisingly, some samples from Mongolia. The fact the lineage is found in two very distant places is evidence that it entered the dog population many thousands of years ago.

H9

Merlot’s Haplotype

A member of the F haplogroup, this haplotype is found in Basenjis and village dogs throughout Africa.

Congo Dogs in Africa commonly have this hapgloroup.

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