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TJ

Mixed Ancestry

  • TJ, a Chihuahua and Cocker Spaniel mix tested with EmbarkVet.com TJ, a Chihuahua and Cocker Spaniel mix tested with EmbarkVet.com

“TJ was a rescue from Mexico! His mother looks dachshund but couldn't tell what his dad was. He loves the dog park more than anything, he's very social and affectionate but can be ajerk to puppies or any dog he sees as submissive. He has to sleep right next to me or on top of me.”

Place of Birth

Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico

Current Location

San Jose, California, USA

From

San Francisco, CA, USA

This dog has been viewed and been given 1 wag

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:

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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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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Poodle (Small)

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

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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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Dachshund

The Dachshund, meaning “badger dog” in German, is a lively breed with a friendly personality and a great sense of smell. Known for their long and low bodies, they are spirited hunters that excel in both above and below-ground work. They come in three different coat varieties (smooth, wirehaired or longhaired) and can be miniature or standard size.

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Dogs Like TJ

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Discover dogs who share a similar breed mix to TJ. 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:
Chihuahua
Cocker Spaniel
Pekingese
Poodle (Small)
Chow Chow
Dachshund
Supermutt

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Here’s what TJ’s family tree may have looked like.
TJ
Family Tree From Embark PARENTS GRANDPARENTS GREAT GRANDPARENTS Chihuahua mix Mixed Chihuahua Chihuahua / Pekingese mix Cocker Spaniel / Poodle (Small) mix Chow Chow / Dachshund mix Chihuahua Chihuahua Chihuahua Pekingese Cocker Spaniel Poodle (Small) Chow Chow mix Dachshund mix
While there may be other possible configurations of his family’s relationships, this is the most likely family tree to explain TJ’s breed mix.
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Health Summary

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TJ is at increased risk for one genetic health condition.

Intervertebral Disc Disease (Type I)

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TJ inherited one copy of the variant we tested

How to interpret this result

TJ 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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Von Willebrand Disease Type I, Type I vWD

Identified in Small Poodles

Progressive Retinal Atrophy, prcd

Identified in Chihuahuas, Cocker Spaniels, and more

Progressive Retinal Atrophy, crd4/cord1

Identified in Chihuahuas and Dachshunds

Familial Nephropathy

Identified in Cocker Spaniels

Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IIIA, Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A, MPS IIIA

Identified in Dachshunds

Glycogen storage disease Type VII, Phosphofructokinase Deficiency, PFK Deficiency

Identified in Cocker Spaniels

Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 1, NCL 1

Identified in Dachshunds

Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 2, NCL 2

Identified in Dachshunds

Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 7, NCL 7

Identified in Chihuahuas

GM2 Gangliosidosis

Identified in Small Poodles

Spinocerebellar Ataxia with Myokymia and/or Seizures

Identified in Chihuahuas

Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures, NEWS

Identified in Small Poodles

Narcolepsy

Identified in Dachshunds

Acral Mutilation Syndrome

Identified in Cocker Spaniels

Exercise-Induced Collapse, EIC

Identified in Cocker Spaniels

Oculocutaneous Albinism, OCA

Identified in Pekingese

Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Identified in Dachshunds

Osteochondrodysplasia

Identified in Small Poodles

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 TJ’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

A393

Map

A1a

TJ’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.

A393

TJ’s Haplotype

Part of the large A1a haplogroup, this haplotype occurs most frequently in Yorkshire Terriers, Russel-type Terriers, and Tibetan Terriers.

Shar Pei dogs think A1a is the coolest!

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Through TJ’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.3

Map

A1b

TJ’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.3

TJ’s Haplotype

Part of the A1b haplogroup, this haplotype is found in village dogs in Peru and the French Polynesian Islands. It is also common among Doberman Pinscher, Saint Bernard, and Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Great Danes and Pomeranians have this in common!

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