Mystery of different dog coats solved
We finally have an answer to the cause behind diverse coats in dogs. Thanks to a research conducted by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) in Bethesda, US. The team led by Elaine Ostrander discovered that there are basically 3 gene types that render variety to dog coats.
But how did they come to this conclusion? Elaine Ostrander and her colleagues collected DNA samples from 1,000 dogs pertaining to 80 different breeds. But if you think these included samples of only domesticated dogs, you would be terribly mistaken for these samples comprised DNA of wild dogs and wolves as well. That sounds interesting. Right?
The researchers analyzed the genes thoroughly by probing deep into their genome. They came up with a finding that signals DNA mutations resulting in the different canine characteristics. Edouard Cadieu, a researcher in Ostrander’s team actually capitalized on this opportunity to study dogs’ coats, explained Ostrander.
Cadieu basically followed a pattern and discovered that behind each type of variance in the coat of dogs there is a particular gene. The research also threw the lid off the mystery surrounding the origin of some of these genes by attributing them to wolves. These are mostly the short and straight haired breeds like the beagles. However, the domesticated types they said were the outcome of breeding and as they are bred keeping in mind common characteristics, the difference in their coats is understood. Finally Ostarnder said that the permutation and combination of these 3 types of genes hold the explanation to the different types of coats in dogs.
The researchers are also hopeful that these findings would open the doors to multitudes of research studies on both human and canine diseases.