Scientists have mapped the genome of the German shepherd, one of the world’s most popular canine breeds, after using a blood sample from ‘Nala,’ a healthy five-year-old German shepherd living in Sydney. In a paper published today in respected ‘big data’ journal GigaScience, a global team of researchers from institutions including UNSW Sydney detailed the mammoth task of unravelling the 38 pairs of dog chromosomes to decode the 19,000 genes and 2.8 billion base pairs of DNA, using advanced genetic sequencing technology. The new genome not only provides science with a more complete biological snapshot of the dog species (Canis lupus familiaris) in general, but also offers a reference for future studies of the typical diseases that afflict this much-loved breed. UNSW Science’s Professor Bill Ballard, an evolutionary biologist who sequenced the genome of the Australian dingo in 2017, says German shepherds are popular choices in the home and the workplace because of their natural intelligence, balanced temperament and protective nature. But after more than a century of breeding for desired physical characteristics, they are particularly vulnerable to genetic diseases. “One of the most common health problems affecting German shepherds is canine hip dysplasia, which is a painful condition that can restrict their mobility,” says Professor Ballard. “Because German shepherds make such good working dogs, there has been a lot of money spent looking into the causes and predictors of this problem. When working dogs – such as those trained to work with police or to help people with disabilities – end up getting hip dysplasia, then that’s a lot of lost time and money that has gone into the training of that dog. “Now that we have the genome, we can determine much earlier in life whether the dog is likely to develop the condition. And over time, it will enable us to develop a breeding program to reduce hip dysplasia in future generations.” Nala, a healthy female German shepherd living in Sydney. Picture: Supplied Nala, who was described in the paper as “an easy going and approachable 5.5 year old,” was selected because she was free of all known genetic diseases, including no sign of hip dysplasia. She was located by well-known TV and radio vet Dr Robert Zammit – credited as an author of this paper – who Professor Ballard says has amassed X-rays and blood samples of more than 600 German shepherds. “Now we’ll be able to look at those hip x-rays and all the DNA of those dogs and compare them back to this healthy reference female,” Professor Ballard says. Nala isn’t the first domestic dog to provide a sample for the mapping of the dog genome. In 2003 a poodle called Shadow provided a sample that resulted in a genome that was 80 per cent complete, followed two years later by the first complete mapping of the genome of ‘Tasha’ the Boxer. But in the decade and a half since, technology has vastly improved to the point that the number of gaps – or regions of DNA bases that are unreadable – has fallen dramatically, making the mapping of Nala’s genes the most complete yet. “The biggest difference between the mapping today and in 2005 is that we now use long read sequencing,” says Professor Ballard. “The Boxer’s genome was put together with ‘Sanger’ sequencing, which can read about 1000 bases in length at a time, while the technology that is available today – Next Generation sequencing – can read up to 15,000 bases. “What this means is if you’ve got a region of genes that is duplicated and running more than 1000 bases, Sanger sequencing will not be able to tell you which part of the genes that particular sequence comes from. So whereas there were about 23,000 gaps in Sanger’s Boxer genome, the Next Gen sequencer had just over 300.” The German shepherd genome is also an advance on 2005’s Boxer genome because of the breed itself. As Boxers are more specialised, with more inbreeding in their genetic history, the German shepherd’s genome is therefore more generic. The authors believe that this will provide better understanding of the evolution of dog breeds in general. Professor Ballard reckons this will not be the last time a domestic dog breed’s genome is sequenced. “I would expect that as the costs come down, all the major breeds will have a genome mapped within 10 years, because this will help identify specific diseases, and lots of breeds have known specific diseases.” The German shepherd genome project was funded by Australian Canine Research Foundation as well as a crowd funding campaign called Hip to Fit.Popular choice
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FAQs
First complete German shepherd DNA offers new tool to fight disease? ›
First complete German shepherd DNA offers new tool to fight disease. Summary: The DNA sequencing of a healthy German shepherd offers scientists new insight into the evolution of the domestic dog while also enabling dogs to be screened for hip and other diseases much more accurately.
What is the disease that German Shepherds get? ›Degenerative myelopathy
This is an inherited illness and German Shepherds are one of the breeds most likely to be affected by it. The first signs that your dog might be suffering from degenerative myelopathy are: walking with difficulty, incontinence, and trouble standing up.
German shepherds, like all “purebred” dogs, suffer from a host of health issues caused by selective breeding for traits that humans consider attractive. As a result, countless dogs experience lifelong pain, disability, and death caused by genetic disorders.
What was the original use of the German Shepherd? ›The breed was developed by Max von Stephanitz using various traditional German herding dogs from 1899. It was originally bred as a herding dog, for herding sheep. It has since been used in many other types of work, including disability assistance, search-and-rescue, police work, and warfare.
What is the blue gene in German Shepherds? ›The blue color in German Shepherds is the result of a dilution gene. This recessive gene dilutes any black pigment on the dog including coat color, nose leather, foot pads, toe nails, lips, etc. It also affects their eye color.
What is the immune disease in German Shepherds? ›Certain breeds are prone to discoid lupus erythematosus, such as German Shepherd dogs, Siberian Huskies, Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs. Exposure to UV radiation is considered a trigger. Once a dog is affected, sunlight should be avoided, as it may exacerbate the skin sores.
Do all German Shepherds have health problems? ›The German Shepherd breed is not considered unhealthy. However, German Shepherds are prone to a variety of medical conditions: Bloat, due to his size and deep chest. Hip dysplasia.
What two breeds make a German Shepherd? ›While there isn't a single specific breed that formed the German Shepherd, several breeds played a role in its development. Some of these breeds include: German Sheepdogs: The German Sheepdogs, which were herding dogs found in various regions of Germany, served as the foundation for the German Shepherd breed.
What are 3 interesting facts about German Shepherds? ›- Fact #1: German Shepherds Are One of The Smartest Dog Breeds.
- Fact #2: World War I Made Shepherds Famous.
- Fact #3: German Shepherds Aren't Dangerous Dogs.
- Fact #4: The First Modern German Shepherds.
- Fact #5: German Shepherds Remain Hugely Popular in America.
- Fact #6: German Shepherds Have Stars on The Walk of Fame.
They also tend to be very mouthy dogs, biting at hands even during play. They can cost a landlord a lot in building insurance, so they put them on the restricted breed list.
What is the smartest dog? ›
- Number 5: Golden Retriever.
- Number 4: Australian Shepherd.
- Number 3: Poodle.
- Number 2: German Shepherd.
- Number 1: Border Collie.
German Shepherds are medium to large-sized dogs with a hearty, deep-chested athletic build. They have a striking appearance with a long snout, erect ears, and an intense gaze. Males of the breed can weigh 65 to 90 pounds and stand at 24 to 26 inches tall.
What is unique about German Shepherds? ›About the Breed
Generally considered dogkind's finest all-purpose worker, the German Shepherd Dog is a large, agile, muscular dog of noble character and high intelligence. Loyal, confident, courageous, and steady, the German Shepherd is truly a dog lover's delight.
Isabella. Isabella-colored German Shepherds, also known as lilac German Shepherds, are the rarest of the rare when it comes to GSDs. Their pigment is the result of the recessive combination of blue and liver that comes from their parents.
What is a liver German Shepherd? ›Liver German Shepherds are a color variation of the German Shepherd dog breed. They have liver coloring to their coats/fur, nose (brown or pink) and eyes (which appear amber), and tend to come in 3 main liver color variations: Liver and Tan. Liver and White.
What are rare German Shepherd markings? ›Other than that, these dogs are just as healthy as any other dog. Some rare colors for the German Shepherd breed include blue, liver, and white. Blue German Shepherds have a diluted black coat, giving them a bluish-grey appearance. Liver German Shepherds have a brown coat, similar to the color of a liver.
What is the leading cause of death in German Shepherds? ›German Shepherds are primarily prone to certain health issues due to their breed-specific genetics. Among the leading causes of death are hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and various forms of cancer, particularly hemangiosarcoma, and osteosarcoma.
What is the most common cause of death in German Shepherds? ›According to one UK study, musculoskeletal disorders (like DM) and an inability to stand are the most common causes of death for German shepherds. The exact cause is unknown, but genetics can play a significant role—yet another reason to seek out a reputable GSD breeder!
What are the first signs of degenerative myelopathy? ›- Difficulty rising.
- Hind limb weakness.
- Incoordination.
- Muscle loss.
- Scuffed toenails on hind limbs.
Degenerative myelopathy (DM), also known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy (CDRM) or German shepherd degenerative myelopathy, is a disease that affects the spinal cord, resulting in slowly progressive hind limb weakness and paralysis.