Shar-Peis, Huskies Are Closest to Wolves
Vox Humana
By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - The tail-wagging, stick-fetching family pooch may be more
closely related to Lassie, Rin Tin Tin or even White Fang than its human
companions think.
While dogs have about 99 percent of their genes in common, a few very
distinct genetic differences separate them into some 400 breeds known
worldwide.
Comparing dog genes to wolves, researchers found that a group of ancient dog
types split off first. Later the majority of canines evolved into three
other clusters of dog variants - hunters, herders and guard dogs - largely
as a result of breeding programs developed over the last several hundred
years.
The new study of purebred dogs says among those closest to their wild wolf
ancestors are the Siberian Husky, Chinese Shar-pei and African Basenji.
"One of the most interesting questions still to understand ... is why did
the wolf keep locked in its genome everything that was necessary to make a
Pekingese to a Great Dane," said Elaine A. Ostrander of the Fred Hutchinson
Cancer Research Center in Seattle.
Ostrander, a co-author of the study in Thursday's issue of the journal
Science, said dogs share the human environment and diseases, so learning
more about their genetic development also can shed light on human diseases.
Human families are too small and "its often difficult to get samples from
more than one or two generations, whereas dog families are huge ... and you
can get DNA for two, three, four generations," she said. "That gives you
enormous statistical power for understanding the genetics."
In the process, scientists learned some interesting things about dogs.
For example, at least two breeds long thought to be ancient, the Ibizan
Hound and Pharaoh Hound, were found not to be so old after all. Because of
their resemblance to dogs depicted on ancient Egyptian tombs, they had been
considered among the oldest of breeds. However, their genes indicate they
have been developed in more recent times, the researchers said.
And two separate breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club - Belgian
Terveren and Belgian Sheepdog - turned out to be genetically identical.
According to co-author Leonid Kruglyak of the Howard Hughes Medical Center,
the study also found that while dogs have much in common, the 1 percent of
their genes that determine different breeds are genetically quite distinct.
"These differences are so distinct that we could just feed a dog's genetic
pattern into the database, and the computer could match it to a breed," said
Kruglyak.
That was surprising because most of the breeds were genetically isolated
only in the 19th Century, with the advent of breed clubs and breed
standards, she said.
Two branches of the canine family tree were the earliest to diverge from the
wolves, the study found.
One branch includes the oriental breeds Shar-pei, Shiba Inu, Chow Chow and
Akita; the other the seemingly diverse breeds of African Basenji, Siberian
Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Afghan Hound and Saluki.
In addition to these ancient dogs three other groups were developed later
including canines for guarding, herding and hunting.
Of 85 breeds tested, only four failed to show consistent sets of genes in
common. They were the Perro de Presa Canario, German Shorthaired Pointer,
Australian Shepherd and Chihuahua.
In addition to the virtually identical genetics of Belgian Sheepdog and
Belgian Tervuren, the study also showed five pairs of breeds with very
similar genetics: Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky, Collie and Shetland
Sheepdog, Greyhound and Whippet, Bernese Mountain Dog and Greater Swiss
Mountain Dog and Bull Mastiff and Mastiff.
Diane Vasey, director of development for the American Kennel Club Canine
Health Foundation, said the research will help people who own dogs of
unknown origin determine their pet's lineage or heritage as well as help
veterinarians deal with genetic disorders associated with certain breeds.
"Being able to utilize the new findings of molecular genetics greatly
enhances our ability to ensure longer, happier lives for all dogs, whether
mixes or breeds," said Patti Strand, an AKC board member. "Previous dog
breeders could only have dreamed of the future this research makes
possible."
Vasey and Strand were not part of the research team, though the AKC helped
the researchers obtain DNA samples.
Judi Todd
used in our search for what causes our breed to develop amyloidosis?
Judi
Robin
"Vox Humana" <vhu...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Qc9rc.43$MY...@fe2.columbus.rr.com...
> Shar-Peis, Huskies Are Closest to Wolves
>
> By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, Associated Press Writer
>
> WASHINGTON - The tail-wagging, stick-fetching family pooch
may be more
> closely related to Lassie, Rin Tin Tin or even White Fang
than its human
> companions think.
>
I read this today and wondered if it has anything to do with
the independence and seeming aloofness of our dogs.
Robin
Kasupei
>the independence and seeming aloofness of our dogs.
I think it explains a LOT about our dogs! I've always thought it "weird" that
if they get lost, they don't come running when they see family again! They get
feral very quickly....but now it makes sense. They aren't as domesticated
genetically as other breeds.
Karen Kleinhans
Kasu Shar-Pei since 1982
Illinois, USA
Judi Todd
"people" and just react like a wild dog.
I think this article is VERY interesting indeed.
Judi
SINNER
Man this is a scary thread. I am going to be looking into
chipping/tattooing this weekend.
--
David
Vox Humana
"SINNER" <m...@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:Xns94F0A3FB97437L...@140.99.99.130...
I would highly recommend it. Our first pei, a female who was very spoiled,
had wonder lust. She was also an escape artist who could open gates and
find weak places in any fence. Once out, she never looked back. We had
several bad episodes when she escaped. One time was when we moved to a new
house with a door that didn't close well. I had some furniture being
delivered and got a call that the truck was a few minutes away. I took off
from my work (which was a few minutes away) to meet the truck. I found her
happily prancing down the road. When I got home, the door was standing wide
open! Had I not had the delivery on that day and at that time, I probably
wouldn't have seen her again. Our new female is nearly as bad. On the
other hand, our male is totally attached and never goes more than a few feet
without looking back. I can let him out and he never goes far without
returning to make sure I'm still there.
Vox Humana
"Judi Todd" <Blugr...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:12655-40A...@storefull-3133.bay.webtv.net...
> You are so right Karen. When pei get loose, they seem to forget their
> "people" and just react like a wild dog.
>
> I think this article is VERY interesting indeed.
I am looking forward to getting the magazine and reading the entire article.
Robin
My dog first got out when she was about 5 months old. My
entire lot is fenced. The house sits in the middle and
there is a double gate at the fence. She was always pretty
reliable around the gait, but the first time she had a
sitter she decided to see what she could get away with.
That was the best hour of chase she ever had. She circled
all of the trees in the neighbors lot in figure eights and
laughed at the poor man. To this day it's her favorite
game.
Dog proofing the yard has been fun though. It's chain link
everywhere except in the back where it's heavily brushed
with old horsewire on my side and privacy fence on the
neighbors side. They acquired a huge unaltered male lab who
literally broke through the privacy fence and the horsewire
into our yard. He was friendly. I was surprised to see
him, but Annie was thrilled with the playmate. I however
was not; she had just had her eyes tacked and they managed
to bust a stitch.
Before we got Annie we walked the fence line in the back.
Being heavily brushed there was a spot we evidently
overlooked. My side neighbor's yard is fenced just like
mine, but she leaves her gate open. I looked up from my
desk one day and thought "hmmm.... there's a dog in Liz's
yard..... hey........ that's MY dog. She was trotting back
to the 9" gap she found in the corner. Came to the back
door like it was just another day. I was surprised she
didn't just run off with some of the many unfenced dogs in
my neighborhood. I guess she didn't think they looked as
well fed.
I've since put up another fence in front of the tree
line...... LOL
Judi Todd
they literally don't recognize their owners. Or so it seems. I've had
a dog I placed get loose, and when I went to find her, and on the 4th
day spotted her, she acted like she didn't know me at all.
It took me 2 weeks of driving 3 hours to and from these people's area
(NO help from them, argh). Finally, with the help of some people who
had spotted her hanging around their male collie who was tied outside
(she had come into heat), I was able to catch her by stepping on the
leash she was dragging, when she slowely approached me for food I was
tossing to the collie. Once I caught her it's like a lightbulb went
off in her head and she said "Oh, HI MOM"!! "Where ya been these last
couple of weeks? Boy do I have some stories to tell YOU"!! She was
back to normal. But until then, she would not listen to me (in fact if
I called out her name, she'd run) or act like she even knew me.
Microchipping and tattooing ARE definitely worth the cost.
Judi