Dogs Genes- Small, Strong, Good for Humans

Dogs like me have always been considered human’s best friend and now we are being considered one of science’s best subject’s, following an explosion in canine genomic research as a greater potential surfaces for such study to result in the ability to cure many significant human diseases.  Why are dogs, above any other species, including humans, the best subjects for understanding the genetic link to disease?   Well apparently it is because of how humans have played around with our gene pool…

So here is the skinny, due to human interference in our evolutionary process (a.k.a “artificial selection”) in the pursuit of creating breeds for varied specific purposes, dogs have evolved into the most varied breeds on the planet (if humans varied as much as dogs did in height we’d be seeing people ranging from two feet tall to 31 feet tall!!).  But more importantly dogs have evolved with very minimal number of genes that hold a maximum impact upon our traits. 

As discussed in the February 2012 issue of National Geographic, “most of the 350-400 dog breeds have only been around a few hundred years” (despite domesticated canines being around for some 15,000-20,000 years)  making the most diverse animal in the planet a result of a fast forwarded evolution.  The result has been that the difference between the “dachshund’s diminutive body and the Rottweiler’s massive one hangs on the sequence of a single gene.” In comparison to those species left to natural selection’s more complex interaction of many genes making fractional contributions (“height in humans, for instance, is determined by the interaction of some 200 gene regions).

So when isolating genes that are responsible for disease it is far easier to do so in a dog with a “limited gene pool” than in a human.  When looking at certain diseases that may show up in a particular dog breed 60% of the time, versus only once in every 10,000 humans – the odds for solving medical unknowns become much greater.  In a collaborative effort between Cornell University, UCLA, and the National Institute of Health, more than a hundred dog diseases have already been mapped to mutations in particular genes, many of which have human counterparts.

So add this information to the long list of why we are human’s best friend – but don’t forget the most important reason – because we need you and you need us.  Maybe you don’t need us to hunt or do other kinds of work for you quite so much, but you still need us to teach you about unconditional love, how to enjoy life, and about loyalty.

My name is Strawberry and I am ready to teach you all of these things – come meet me at Second Chance Humane Society’s Angel Ridge Ranch today…

Call the Second Chance Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter Financial Assistance, Volunteer & Foster Care, or other Programs.  Visit our shelter pets online: www.adoptmountainpets.org.  Direct Pet Column questions to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  Photos by Real Life Photographs.