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“Opal”
Sun & Sands Shimmering Opal

Golden Retriever

“Opal's beauty is not just in her appearance but also in her demeanor. She embodies the quintessential traits of a Golden Retriever - friendly, intelligent, and devoted. Her lineage speaks of robust health and a rich golden coat that captures the essence of her breed's splendor.”

Instagram tag
@sun.and.sand.goldens

Place of Birth

Latta, South Carolina, USA

Current Location

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

From

Latta, South Carolina, USA

This dog has been viewed and been given 0 wags

Registration

American Kennel Club (AKC): SS45045507

Genetic Breed Result

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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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Changes to this dog’s profile
  • On 4/5/2024 changed name from "Sun & Sand Goldens Shimmering Opal" to "Sun & Sands Shimmering Opal"
  • On 4/5/2024 changed handle from "lmugoldensecho" to "sunandsandgoldensopal"
  • On 4/5/2024 changed name from "Echo's Golden Dreamcatcher" to "Sun & Sand Goldens Shimmering Opal"
  • On 3/17/2024 changed handle from "sunsandsandgoldensopal" to "lmugoldensecho"
  • On 3/17/2024 changed name from "Sun & Sand’s Shimmering Opal" to "Echo's Golden Dreamcatcher"
  • On 3/10/2024 changed handle from "sunsandsandgoldensruby" to "sunsandsandgoldensopal"
  • On 3/10/2024 changed name from "Ruby's Golden Sunrise" to "Sun & Sand’s Shimmering Opal"
  • On 3/5/2024 changed handle from "sunsandsandgoldensopal" to "sunsandsandgoldensruby"
  • On 3/5/2024 changed name from "Sun & Sand's Shimmering Opal" to "Ruby's Golden Sunrise"
  • On 2/23/2024 changed handle from "sunsandsshimmeringopal" to "sunsandsandgoldensopal"

Health Summary

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Opal inherited one variant that you should learn more about.

And one variant that you should tell your vet about.

Ichthyosis, ICH1

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Opal inherited one copy of the variant we tested

What does this result mean?

This variant should not impact Opal’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. Opal 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 Ichthyosis, ICH1?

This skin disorder gets its name from the thick, darkly pigmented scales of skin ("ichthys" is Greek for "fish") that affected dogs display over most areas of the body, not including the head or extremities.

ALT Activity

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Opal inherited one copy of the variant we tested

Why is this important to your vet?

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

Golden Retriever Progressive Retinal Atrophy 1, GR-PRA1 (SLC4A3)

Identified in Golden Retrievers

Golden Retriever Progressive Retinal Atrophy 2, GR-PRA2 (TTC8)

Identified in Golden Retrievers

Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 5, NCL 5 (CLN5 Exon 4 Deletion, Golden Retriever Variant)

Identified in Golden Retrievers

Degenerative Myelopathy, DM (SOD1A)

Identified in Golden Retrievers

Muscular Dystrophy (DMD, Golden Retriever Variant)

Identified in Golden Retrievers

Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome, CMS (COLQ, Golden Retriever Variant)

Identified in Golden Retrievers

Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (COL7A1, Golden Retriever Variant)

Identified in Golden Retrievers

Osteogenesis Imperfecta (COL1A1, Golden Retriever Variant)

Identified in Golden Retrievers

Retina Dysplasia and/or Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (SIX6 Exon 1, Golden Retriever Variant)

Identified in Golden Retrievers

Ichthyosis, ICH2 (ABHD5, Golden Retriever Variant)

Identified in Golden Retrievers

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 Opal’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

B1

Haplotype

B84

Map

B1

Sun & Sands Shimmering Opal’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.

B84

Sun & Sands Shimmering Opal’s Haplotype

Part of the large B1 haplogroup, this haplotype occurs most frequently in Golden Retrievers, Beagles, and Staffordshire Terriers.

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

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

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