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Shep

Mixed Ancestry

“Sheppy Boy is affectionate and works 110% for an audience whether it’s a human or K9, especially a female K9. After catching a Frisbee, he is anxious to observe the audience reaction and this feeds his ego. Until the age of 8, he performed somersaults and bullet & top spins. Shep’s problem solving and communication skills seem more human than K9. At age 10, he has demonstrated he still has ability to learn new words.”

Current Location

Snellville, Georgia, USA

From

Covington, Georgia, USA

This dog has been viewed and been given 31 wags

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:

American Pit Bull Terrier

The American Pit Bull Terrier originated in the British Isles and descends from the Mastiff-type dogs introduced to England in antiquity. The breed was brought over to the United States by English immigrants in the 1800s, and quickly became one of the most popular and widespread breeds there.

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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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American Eskimo Dog

American Eskimo Dogs belong to the spitz family and they actually came from Germany. They got their start in American circuses due to their intelligence. Today, Eskies make wonderful family pets.

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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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Boxer

Developed in Germany, the Boxer is a popular family dog: patient, loyal and smart-requiring lots of exercise and proper training. For active families or owners looking for a rambunctious jogging buddy, Boxers may be the perfect breed. Boxers delight their humans with their sense of humor and affectionate nature.

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Collie

Collies are attractive herding dogs, boasting a beautiful coat while being highly intelligent. They also make for extremely loyal and sweet family pets.

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Rottweiler

Originally used for driving cattle and protecting valuable convoys, Rottweilers are now popular family pets as well as guard, police and military dogs.

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Dogs Like Shep

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Discover dogs who share a similar breed mix to Shep. 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:
American Pit Bull Terrier
Chow Chow
American Eskimo Dog
German Shepherd Dog
Boxer
Collie
Rottweiler
Supermutt

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Changes to this dog’s profile
  • On 7/16/2020 changed handle from "sheppyboy3" to "sheppyboy"
  • On 7/10/2020 changed handle from "shep49" to "sheppyboy3"
Here’s what Shep’s family tree may have looked like.
Shep
Family Tree From Embark PARENTS GRANDPARENTS GREAT GRANDPARENTS Mixed American Pit Bull Terrier mix American Eskimo Dog / Collie mix German Shepherd Dog / Boxer mix American Pit Bull Terrier Chow Chow mix American Eskimo Dog Collie mix German Shepherd Dog mix Boxer mix American Pit Bull Terrier American Pit Bull Terrier Chow Chow Chow Chow mix
While there may be other possible configurations of his family’s relationships, this is the most likely family tree to explain Shep’s breed mix.

Breed Reveal Video

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Health Summary

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Shep inherited one variant that you should learn more about.

And one variant that you should tell your vet about.

Degenerative Myelopathy, DM

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Shep inherited one copy of the variant we tested

What does this result mean?

This variant should not impact Shep’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. Shep is unlikely to develop this condition due to this variant because he only has one copy of the variant.

Impact on Breeding

This result is also important if you decide to breed this dog - to produce the healthiest puppies we recommend genetic testing any potential mates for this condition.

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.

ALT Activity

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Shep inherited one copy of the variant we tested

Why is this important to your vet?

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

Identified in Collies and German Shepherd Dogs

Hemophilia A

Identified in Boxers

Hemophilia A

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Hemophilia A

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Thrombopathia

Identified in American Eskimo Dogs

Canine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency Type III, CLAD III

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Platelet Factor X Receptor Deficiency, Scott Syndrome

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Progressive Retinal Atrophy, prcd

Identified in American Eskimo Dogs

Progressive Retinal Atrophy, crd1

Identified in American Pit Bull Terriers

Collie Eye Anomaly

Identified in Collies

Day Blindness

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Primary Lens Luxation

Identified in American Eskimo Dogs

Urate Kidney & Bladder Stones

Identified in American Pit Bull Terriers and German Shepherd Dogs

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

Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis, Cerebellar Ataxia, NCL4A

Identified in American Pit Bull Terriers

Neuroaxonal Dystrophy, NAD

Identified in Rottweilers

L-2-Hydroxyglutaricaciduria, L2HGA

Identified in American Pit Bull Terriers

Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy

Identified in Rottweilers

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 Shep’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

A1b

Haplotype

A361/409/611

Map

A1b

Shep’s Haplogroup

This female lineage was very likely one of the original lineages in the wolves that were first domesticated into dogs in Central Asia about 15,000 years ago. Since then, the lineage has been very successful and travelled the globe! Dogs from this group are found in ancient Bronze Age fossils in the Middle East and southern Europe. By the end of the Bronze Age, it became exceedingly common in Europe. These dogs later became many of the dogs that started some of today's most popular breeds, like German Shepherds, Pugs, Whippets, English Sheepdogs and Miniature Schnauzers. During the period of European colonization, the lineage became even more widespread as European dogs followed their owners to far-flung places like South America and Oceania. It's now found in many popular breeds as well as village dogs across the world!

A361/409/611

Shep’s Haplotype

Part of the A1b haplogroup, this haplotype occurs most frequently in German Shepherd Dogs, Poodles, and Shiloh Shepherds.

A1b is the most common haplogroup found in German Shepherds.

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Through Shep’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.59

Map

A1a

Shep’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.59

Shep’s Haplotype

Part of the A1a haplogroup, this haplotype occurs most frequently in European village dogs.

Dogs with A1a lineage travelled during European Colonial times.

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