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Rufus

Mixed Ancestry

  • Rufus, a Chinese Shar-Pei and Chow Chow mix tested with EmbarkVet.com Rufus, a Chinese Shar-Pei and Chow Chow mix tested with EmbarkVet.com
    That grin!

“He was a stray that followed our car up the driveway! It was love at first sight and he’s been ours ever since. He developed diabetes about 2ish years ago and has since gone blind, but he still goes up and down the stairs and goes for walks. He’s very happy with his few “pack” humans but isn’t very social otherwise. Our vet previously said he was part corgi and part cattle dog.”

Place of Birth

Modesto, California, USA

Current Location

Modesto, California, USA

From

Modesto, California, USA

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Genetic Breed Result

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Embark Supermutt analysis

What’s in that Supermutt? There may be small amounts of DNA from these distant ancestors:

Chinese Shar-Pei

Few dog breeds are more recognizable than the wrinkly Chinese Shar-Pei. This Chinese breed is often compared to a hippopotamus due to its thick muzzle. They also have a characteristic rough, bristly coat, which is how the breed got its name (“Shar-Pei” means “sand skin”). Despite their goofy appearance, Shar-Peis are serious, independent dogs who will loyally protect their owners.

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Chow Chow

This distinctive-looking dog breed has a proud, independent spirit that some describe as catlike. Often aloof and suspicious of strangers, the Chow Chow may not be a cuddle buddy, but for the right person, they are a fiercely loyal companion.

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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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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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Golden Retriever

Developed as an ideal hunting retriever, the Golden Retriever's eagerness to please and friendliness has made them an extremely popular family pet.

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German Shepherd Dog

German Shepherds are confident, courageous dogs with a keen sense of smell and notable intelligence. These are active working dogs who excel at many canine sports and tasks -- they are true utility dogs! Their versatility combined with their loyal companionship has them consistently listed as one of the most popular breeds in the United States.

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Pekingese

Pekingese were dogs bred for centuries to be the prized companions of the imperial family of China. Today they are still cherished family companions and show dogs who greet everyone they meet with dignity and grace.

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Dogs Like Rufus

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Discover dogs who share a similar breed mix to Rufus. 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:
Chinese Shar-Pei
Chow Chow
Chihuahua
Cocker Spaniel
Golden Retriever
German Shepherd Dog
Pekingese
Supermutt

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Here’s what Rufus’s family tree may have looked like.
Rufus
Family Tree From Embark PARENTS GRANDPARENTS GREAT GRANDPARENTS Mixed Mixed Chow Chow / German Shepherd Dog mix Chihuahua mix Chinese Shar-Pei / Golden Retriever mix Cocker Spaniel / Pekingese mix Chow Chow German Shepherd Dog mix Chihuahua Mixed Chinese Shar-Pei Golden Retriever mix Cocker Spaniel Pekingese mix
While there may be other possible configurations of his family’s relationships, this is the most likely family tree to explain Rufus’s breed mix.
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Health Summary

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Rufus is at increased risk for one genetic health condition.

Intervertebral Disc Disease (Type I)

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Rufus inherited one copy of the variant we tested

How to interpret this result

Rufus 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.

Breed-Relevant Genetic Conditions

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Multiple Drug Sensitivity

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Hemophilia A

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Hemophilia A

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Canine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency Type III, CLAD III

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Progressive Retinal Atrophy, prcd

Identified in Chihuahuas, Cocker Spaniels, and more

Golden Retriever Progressive Retinal Atrophy 1, GR-PRA1

Identified in Golden Retrievers

Golden Retriever Progressive Retinal Atrophy 2, GR-PRA2

Identified in Golden Retrievers

Progressive Retinal Atrophy, crd4/cord1

Identified in Chihuahuas

Day Blindness

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma and Primary Lens Luxation

Identified in Chinese Shar-Peis

Urate Kidney & Bladder Stones

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Familial Nephropathy

Identified in Cocker Spaniels

Anhidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Renal Cystadenocarcinoma and Nodular Dermatofibrosis

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII, Sly Syndrome, MPS VII

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Glycogen storage disease Type VII, Phosphofructokinase Deficiency, PFK Deficiency

Identified in Cocker Spaniels

Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 7, NCL 7

Identified in Chihuahuas

Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 5, NCL 5

Identified in Golden Retrievers

Shar-Pei Autoinflammatory Disease, SPAID, Shar-Pei Fever

Identified in Chinese Shar-Peis

Spinocerebellar Ataxia with Myokymia and/or Seizures

Identified in Chihuahuas

Degenerative Myelopathy, DM

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs and Golden Retrievers

Acral Mutilation Syndrome

Identified in Cocker Spaniels

Muscular Dystrophy

Identified in Golden Retrievers

Exercise-Induced Collapse, EIC

Identified in Cocker Spaniels

Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa

Identified in Golden Retrievers

Ichthyosis, ICH1

Identified in Golden Retrievers

Oculocutaneous Albinism, OCA

Identified in Pekingese

Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Identified in Golden Retrievers

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 Rufus’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

B1

Haplotype

B77

Map

B1

Rufus’s Haplogroup

B1 is the second most common maternal lineage in breeds of European or American origin. It is the female line of the majority of Golden Retrievers, Basset Hounds, and Shih Tzus, and about half of Beagles, Pekingese and Toy Poodles. This lineage is also somewhat common among village dogs that carry distinct ancestry from these breeds. We know this is a result of B1 dogs being common amongst the European dogs that their conquering owners brought around the world, because nowhere on earth is it a very common lineage in village dogs. It even enables us to trace the path of (human) colonization: Because most Bichons are B1 and Bichons are popular in Spanish culture, B1 is now fairly common among village dogs in Latin America.

B77

Rufus’s Haplotype

Part of the B1 haplogroup, this haplotype occurs most frequently in Japanese Chins.

The B1 haplogroup can be found in village dogs like the Peruvian Village Dog, pictured above.

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Through Rufus’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.53

Map

A1a

Rufus’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.53

Rufus’s Haplotype

Part of the A1a haplogroup, this haplotype occurs most frequently in Golden Retrievers, Border Collies, and the Coton de Tulear.

Dogs with A1a lineage travelled during European Colonial times.

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