Evaluation of Genetic Diversity in Dog Breeds Using Pedigree and Molecular Analysis: A Review

Abstract

Domestic dogs are important for many economic and social reasons, and they have become a well-known model species for human disease. According to research, dog breeds exhibit significant levels of inbreeding and genetic diversity loss, decreasing the population’s ability to adapt in certain conditions, and indicating the need of conservation strategies. Before the development of molecular markers, pedigree information was used for genetic diversity management. In recent years, genomic tools are frequently applied for accurate estimation of genetic diversity and improved genetic conservation due to incomplete pedigrees and pedigree errors. The most frequently used molecular markers include PCR-based microsatellite markers (STRs) and DNA sequencing-based single-nucleotide polymorphism markers (SNP). The aim of this review was to highlight genetic diversity studies on dog breeds conducted using pedigree and molecular markers, as well as the importance of genetic diversity conservation in increasing the adaptability and survival of dog breed populations.

Investigating the relationship between inbreeding and life expectancy in dogs: mongrels live longer than pure breeds

“…The closed population breeding of dogs is a modern practice aiming at the fixation of traits of interest ( Axelsson et al, 2021 ). This bottlenecking of gene flow has also, however, undesirable consequences, as each individual carries deleterious genes with the potential to cause harm and affect fitness and health of dogs ( Mabunda et al, 2022 ). Most of these genes are recessive and can affect the phenotype in homozygosity only.…”