Fur and trait DNA tests in dogs
Interpretation of results
For fur type, colour, and exterior DNA tests with an autosomal recessive hereditary model, the test report will state the alleles of the tested gene and the related changes:
- no mutations in any allele (no mutation homozygous) - the dog does not have any of the tested mutations. The dog will not manifest this feature, nor will he be able to pass it on to his descendants;
- the mutation is in one of the alleles (the changes are heterozygous) - the dog has the tested trait mutation in one of the alleles (he is a carrier). This trait will not manifest in the dog but 50% of its offspring will have this type of genotype. If two such dogs are mated, 25% of the puppies should have the trait tested;
- the mutation is in both alleles of the gene (the changes are homozygous) - a dog with such a genotype is more likely to show the tested trait (if it is not affected by other genes), and the dog will pass this trait on to all its offspring.
If the tested trait is autosomal dominant, incomplete dominant, or co-dominant, the DNA test results will most often include the following possible positions:
- no changes (homozygous) - dogs with this genotype will not have the tested traits, and the mutation will not be passed on to their offspring;
- changes in one of the alleles (heterozygous) - dogs with a mutation in one allele may show the test trait, it may be partial or cause another trait by combining the two (in the case of partial dominance), or features of both alleles may be present (in the case of co-dominant inheritance); however, the extent to which a particular mutation will be expressed cannot be measured in advance. The mutation can be passed on to 50% of the offspring;
- changes in both alleles (changes are homozygous) - the trait tested will be fully manifested in the dog, and the dog will pass this mutation to all his offspring.