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“Nala”
Mirabel

Biewer Terrier

“Nala is the first Rainbow Amour puppy retained as a potential breeder.”

This dog has been viewed and been given 4 wags

Genetic Breed Result

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Biewer Terrier

The Biewer Terrier is one of the smallest Terriers within the Toy Group, only 7-8 inches tall and typically less than 8 pounds. In spite of the small size, the Biewer is known as a robust and athletic dog.

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Health Summary

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Nala is at increased risk for one genetic health condition.

And inherited four variants that you should learn more about.

Intervertebral Disc Disease (Type I)

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Nala 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 Nala’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 Nala have not yet been the focus of research studies, our data indicates that Nala is likely to be at increased risk.

Impact on Breeding

While further investigation is warranted to determine the clinical presentation and penetrance in Nala’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.

Degenerative Myelopathy, DM

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Nala inherited one copy of the variant we tested

What does this result mean?

This variant should not impact Nala’s health. This variant is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning that a dog needs two copies of the variant to show signs of this condition. Nala is unlikely to develop this condition due to this variant because she only has one copy of the variant.

Impact on Breeding

Your dog carries this variant and will pass it on to ~50% of her offspring. You can email breeders@embarkvet.com to discuss with a genetic counselor how the genotype results should be applied to a breeding program.

What is Degenerative Myelopathy, DM?

The dog equivalent of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, DM is a progressive degenerative disorder of the spinal cord. Because the nerves that control the hind limbs are the first to degenerate, the most common clinical signs are back muscle wasting and gait abnormalities.

Bald Thigh Syndrome

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Nala inherited one copy of the variant we tested

What does this result mean?

This variant should not impact Nala’s health. This variant is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning that a dog needs two copies of the variant to show signs of this condition. Nala is unlikely to develop this condition due to this variant because she only has one copy of the variant.

Impact on Breeding

Your dog carries this variant and will pass it on to ~50% of her offspring. You can email breeders@embarkvet.com to discuss with a genetic counselor how the genotype results should be applied to a breeding program.

What is Bald Thigh Syndrome?

A cosmetic condition common to sighthounds characterized by hair loss on the thighs. It is caused by a structural abnormality of the hair follicle.

Proportionate Dwarfism

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Nala inherited one copy of the variant we tested

What does this result mean?

This variant should not impact Nala’s health. This variant is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning that a dog needs two copies of the variant to show signs of this condition. Nala is unlikely to develop this condition due to this variant because she only has one copy of the variant.

Impact on Breeding

Your dog carries this variant and will pass it on to ~50% of her offspring. You can email breeders@embarkvet.com to discuss with a genetic counselor how the genotype results should be applied to a breeding program.

What is Proportionate Dwarfism?

Embark’s data suggests that this variant in the GH1 gene may contribute to a smaller body size. The original publication predicts this is due to a growth hormone (GH) deficiency. However, adult body size is influenced by several different genetic variants. Other changes noted by the publication, including retained baby teeth, persistent puppy-like coats, and low blood sugar have been occasionally reported by owners of dogs with two copies of this variant. These changes may or may not be associated with this variant.

ALT Activity

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Nala inherited one copy of the variant we tested

Why is this important to your vet?

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

Primary Lens Luxation (ADAMTS17)

Identified in Biewer Terriers

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

Performance

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Through Nala’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

A652

Map

A1e

Mirabel’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!

A652

Mirabel’s Haplotype

Part of the A1e haplogroup, the A652 haplotype occurs most commonly in Chihuahuas.

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 Nala inherited from her mom and dad? Check out her breed breakdown.

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

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