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Sonny

Mixed Ancestry

“Adopted from the San Diego Animal Shelter at approximately 8 months of age. Sonny is the sweetest dog you could meet. He loves to dig holes in the dirt and lie in them, chase squirrels, and travel. Sonny went over the Rainbow's Bridge on February 27, 2024 at the great old age of 15. RIP, our beautiful boy...”

Place of Birth

San Diego, California, USA

Current Location

San Diego, California, USA

From

San Diego, CA, USA

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Genetic Breed Result

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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 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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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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Pomeranian

The Pomeranian is a cocky, animated companion with an extroverted personality.

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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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Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherds are an energetic mid-sized breed that make the perfect companion.

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Dogs Like Sonny

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Discover dogs who share a similar breed mix to Sonny. 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:
Chow Chow
American Pit Bull Terrier
German Shepherd Dog
Pomeranian
American Eskimo Dog
Australian Shepherd

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Here’s what Sonny’s family tree may have looked like.
Sonny
Family Tree From Embark PARENTS GRANDPARENTS GREAT GRANDPARENTS Chow Chow mix American Pit Bull Terrier mix Chow Chow Pomeranian / American Eskimo Dog mix American Pit Bull Terrier German Shepherd Dog / Australian Shepherd mix Chow Chow Chow Chow Pomeranian American Eskimo Dog American Pit Bull Terrier American Pit Bull Terrier German Shepherd Dog Australian Shepherd mix
While there may be other possible configurations of his family’s relationships, this is the most likely family tree to explain Sonny’s breed mix.

Breed Reveal Video

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Health Summary

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Sonny has one variant that you should let your vet know about.

ALT Activity

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Sonny inherited both copies of the variant we tested

Why is this important to your vet?

Sonny has two copies of a variant in the GPT gene and is likely to have a lower than average baseline ALT activity. ALT is a commonly used measure of liver health on routine veterinary blood chemistry panels. As such, your veterinarian may want to watch for changes in Sonny's ALT activity above their current, healthy, ALT activity. As an increase above Sonny’s baseline 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 Australian Shepherds and German Shepherd Dogs

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

Methemoglobinemia

Identified in Pomeranians

Progressive Retinal Atrophy, rcd3

Identified in Pomeranians

Progressive Retinal Atrophy, prcd

Identified in American Eskimo Dogs and Australian Shepherds

Progressive Retinal Atrophy, crd1

Identified in American Pit Bull Terriers

Collie Eye Anomaly

Identified in Australian Shepherds

Day Blindness

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Canine Multifocal Retinopathy, cmr1

Identified in Australian Shepherds

Hereditary Cataracts

Identified in Australian Shepherds

Primary Lens Luxation

Identified in American Eskimo Dogs

Urate Kidney & Bladder Stones

Identified in American Pit Bull Terriers, Australian Shepherds, and more

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

Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 6, NCL 6

Identified in Australian Shepherds

Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 8, NCL 8

Identified in Australian Shepherds

Degenerative Myelopathy, DM

Identified in American Eskimo Dogs, Australian Shepherds, and more

L-2-Hydroxyglutaricaciduria, L2HGA

Identified in American Pit Bull Terriers

Oculocutaneous Albinism, OCA

Identified in Pomeranians

Hereditary Vitamin D-Resistant Rickets

Identified in Pomeranians

Craniomandibular Osteopathy, CMO

Identified in Australian Shepherds

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 Sonny’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

A1a

Haplotype

A388

Map

A1a

Sonny’s Haplogroup

A1a is the most common maternal lineage among Western dogs. This lineage traveled from the site of dog domestication in Central Asia to Europe along with an early dog expansion perhaps 10,000 years ago. It hung around in European village dogs for many millennia. Then, about 300 years ago, some of the prized females in the line were chosen as the founding dogs for several dog breeds. That set in motion a huge expansion of this lineage. It's now the maternal lineage of the overwhelming majority of Mastiffs, Labrador Retrievers and Gordon Setters. About half of Boxers and less than half of Shar-Pei dogs descend from the A1a line. It is also common across the world among village dogs, a legacy of European colonialism.

A388

Sonny’s Haplotype

Part of the large A1a haplogroup, this haplotype occurs most frequently in Staffordshire Terriers, Labrador Retrievers, and English Bulldogs.

Shar Pei dogs think A1a is the coolest!

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Through Sonny’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

A2b

Haplotype

Hc.13

Map

A2b

Sonny’s Haplogroup

A2b appears to have split a few times in succession, which means that some of the Central Asian male ancestors of this lineage went their separate ways before their respective Y chromosomes made their rounds. There is not much diversity in this lineage, meaning that it has only begun to take off recently. Two iconic breeds, the Dachshund and Bloodhound, represent this lineage well. Over half of Rottweilers are A2b, as are the majority of Labrador Retrievers and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. While A2a is restricted mostly to East Asia, this paternal line is also found among European breeds.

Hc.13

Sonny’s Haplotype

Part of the A2b haplogroup, the Hc.13 haplotype occurs most commonly in American Eskimo Dogs and Staffordshire Terriers. We've also spotted it in American Village Dogs.

A2b is found in the Daschund breed.

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