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“Cuss”
Sir Cuss of Chaos

Poodle (Small)

“He is a fun loving, playful, outgoing red sable puppy.”

Current Location

Michigan, USA

From

Michigan, USA

This dog has been viewed and been given 3 wags

Genetic Breed Result

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Poodle (Small)

A highly intelligent and playful dog, Miniature and Toy Poodles make for great lap dogs and companions.

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Here’s what Cuss’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 Cuss’s breed mix.
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Health Summary

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Cuss is at increased risk for one genetic health condition.

And inherited one variant that you should learn more about.

Intervertebral Disc Disease (Type I)

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Cuss inherited both copies of the variant we tested

How to interpret this result

Cuss has two copies 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.

ALT Activity

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Cuss inherited one copy of the variant we tested

Why is this important to your vet?

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

Identified in Small Poodles

Progressive Retinal Atrophy, prcd (PRCD Exon 1)

Identified in Small Poodles

GM2 Gangliosidosis (HEXB, Poodle Variant)

Identified in Small Poodles

Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures, NEWS (ATF2)

Identified in Small Poodles

Osteochondrodysplasia (SLC13A1, Poodle Variant)

Identified in Small Poodles

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 Cuss’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

A2

Haplotype

A39

Map

A2

Sir Cuss of Chaos’s Haplogroup

A2 is a very ancient maternal line. Most likely it was one of the major female lines that contributed to the very first domesticated dogs in Central Asia about 15,000 years ago. Some of the line stayed in Central Asia to the present day, and frequently appear as Tibetan Mastiffs and Akitas. Those that escaped the mountains of Central Asia sought out other cold spots, and are now found among Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies. This lineage is also occasionally found in several common Western breeds, such as German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers. Curiously, all New Guinea Singing Dogs descend from this line. These are an ancient and very interesting breed found in the mountains of Papua New Guinea. Unfortunately, they are now endangered. They are closely related to the Australian dingo, so you could say its cousins are dingos! This line is also common in village dogs in Southeast and East Asia. Unlike many other lineages, A2 did not spread across the whole world, probably because it did not have the opportunity to hitch its wagon to European colonialism - or because these dogs just prefer hanging out in mountains, tundras, islands, and other hard-to-reach places!

A39

Sir Cuss of Chaos’s Haplotype

Part of the A2 haplogroup, this haplotype occurs most commonly in Akitas and Maltese.

Dingos commonly possess this haplogroup.

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Through Cuss’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

A1b

Haplotype

Ha.7

Map

A1b

Sir Cuss of Chaos’s Haplogroup

For most of dog history, this haplogroup was probably quite rare. However, a couple hundred years ago it seems to have found its way into a prized male guard dog in Europe who had many offspring, including the ancestors of many European guard breeds such as Doberman Pinchers, St. Bernards, and Great Danes. Despite being rare, many of the most imposing dogs on Earth have it; strangely, so do many Pomeranians! Perhaps this explains why some Poms are so tough, acting like they're ten times their actual size! This lineage is most commonly found in working dogs, in particular guard dogs. With origins in Europe, it spread widely across other regions as Europeans took their dogs across the world.

Ha.7

Sir Cuss of Chaos’s Haplotype

Part of the A1b haplogroup, this haplotype is found in village dogs from Lebanon and Indonesia. Among breeds, it is also found in Miniature Schnauzer and Toy Poodle.

Great Danes and Pomeranians have this in common!

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