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05-01-2008, 04:41 PM | #1 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 603
| BBCI is included in International Genetic Study By Carolyn Arnold, BBCI Department of Education and Research BBCI Participation The Biewer Breed Club International (BBCI) participated in a genetic study on the Piebald (spotting) coat color recently completed by researchers at the University Of Saskatchewan Department Of Animal Science under the direction of Dr. Sheila Schmutz. “We are trying to identify the genes which cause specific colors in dogs. Sometimes these are associated with diseases, but often simply normal colors for that breed or cross” say the researchers. Dr. Schmutz requested DNA samples from three Biewers who are the most unrelated to be among the several breeds suspected of expressing the piebald gene in their study. BBCI Department of Education and Research, under direction of Carolyn Arnold, pulled together pedigrees from the most populated and popular Biewer lines for study. Criteria also sought dogs that had at the most generations of pure Biewer to Biewer breeding. The pedigrees were researched and all missing ancestors and their coat colors were recorded and inserted into a pedigree database. Reports for common ancestors and progeny generated from the database revealed which dogs were most suited to be submitted for the study. Three dogs were chosen whose lines fit the desired criteria. Their DNA samples were submitted in April 2008 just in time to be included in the study. Results are in Results communicated from Dr. Schmutz say “All 3 were homozygous for the SINE mutation in the MITF gene promoter. This is the same genotype (SINE/SINE) that has been found in all the other piebald dogs we have tested. Therefore this result "fits" our expectation.” In other words, yes, the Biewer coat color is indeed the result of the piebald gene and homozygous (having two alleles that are the same and therefore breeding true). Dr. Schmutz will present this study at the 4th International Conference on the advances in canine and feline genomics and inherited diseases in Saint Malo, France on May 21 – 25th 2008. For further interpretation and background, pleases read on. Do you find genetics boring? Then skip the genetics and go to the end of this article to read what it all means for the Biewer breed. Why study canine genetics? The domestic dog is a species coaxed into hundreds of distinct types through selective breeding by humans over the past two centuries. In the course of breeding for desirable traits, disease-associated genes have also been inherited. While dogs and humans often share the same living spaces, they are also susceptible to many of the same illnesses, including cancer, epilepsy, and diabetes. And since the two species share much of their DNA, efforts to pinpoint the genetic underpinnings of dog diseases have the potential to deepen the knowledge of diseases in humans. This explains why there are so many new canine studies and is good news for humans and good news for dogs and their breeders and fanciers. In recent sequencing of the dog genome (full complement of genes carried by the cell), researchers have revealed another consequence of selective breeding – chunks of DNA that are roughly 100 times larger than those found in the human genome, providing researches with a critical shortcut. New mapping methods take advantage of the power of this reduced genetic diversity in dog breeds and the sharing of mutations across breeds to identify disease genes. The Piebald (Spotting) Gene Study Researchers have now pinpointed a variation in the genetic code at a specific point on the DNA called SNP’s that are associated with white coat color. The highest-ranking SNP from their analysis resides in a section of the dog genome that contains one gene, called MITF, an important developmental gene. Here is where the SINE mutation (an inherited change in the genetic material of an individual) takes place. (SINE is a type of small dispersed repetitive DNA sequence) SINE/SINE shows homozygous inheritance (having like alleles in the same location). This mutation is what is now identified to express the piebald coat. Okay, so now what? What does this mean to the Biewer world? The answer is two fold. The Biewer breed’s white coat pattern is indeed a result of the piebald gene, not from another dog being bred into the Yorkshire Terrier. Is the Biewer in any health danger due to being piebald? There is no data on this presently. White coat color has been identified in other studies as the cause of deafness in Dalmatians and anomalies in other breeds with white coat patterns. However, because Biewers have pigment of Blue/Black/Tan/Gold other than white around the ears and eyes on the head, it is suspected, not proven, that the Biewer escapes the anomalies due to the presence of darker pigment. This is a strong case supporting a practice to breed selectively in order to keep the strong head colors present. Resources: (Dog Coat Color Genetics) 4th International Conference: Advances in canine and feline genomics and inherited diseceses ONE MITF MUTATION YIELDS MULTIPLE SPOTTING PHENOTYPES IN VARIOUS DOG BREEDS Sheila M. Schmutz and Tom G. Berryere Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
__________________ Theresa & The Boys +1 The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue |
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05-01-2008, 04:47 PM | #2 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 603
| I want to thank all the participants that made this study possible. The results came back just today and we thought that it was important that the information be shared with everyone. The lines that were studied and submitted were as diverse as possible as not to include duplicate ancestors within 5 generations and that Biewer to Biewer breedings, for at least 4-5 generations, were used. This is just another step in the developement and authencity of the Biewers...
__________________ Theresa & The Boys +1 The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue |
05-01-2008, 09:39 PM | #3 |
Donating YT 2000 Club Member | I think the fact that the Biewers are gaining attention in all venues from the scientific community is wonderful. The Biewers are being noticed and studied, the knowledge will benefit all the breeders and future owners. |
05-02-2008, 11:48 AM | #4 |
YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Minnesota
Posts: 458
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05-21-2008, 06:09 AM | #5 |
BANNED! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alabama
Posts: 209
| It's always good news to hear that breeders are taking advantage of science to better their breeding programs. With the Biewer Terrier, you first have to make sure your pedigree is correct and that you have a Biewer Terrier when you submit for testing. Doing a coat color analysis on our dogs is going to be a major tool to better breeding for our breed. May I ask what Carolyn's credentials are so people will be able to ascertain what from authority she speaks. Here are the credentials of our geneticist, Cynthia Fuller Ph.D. and what she had to say about your conclusion that NO other breed was introduced to the Yorkie to achieve the Biewer Terrier coloring Dr. Fuller received her doctorate in molecular genetics from the University of Maryland and performed basic research at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, where she completed her post-doctoral education. Dr. Fuller then pursued a long career in the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry, where she worked for Life Technologies, Genentech and Amgen. She has led teams for diagnostic and therapeutic product development and has coordinated in-depth analyses of numerous product development programs. Dr. Fuller’s training and experience provide the skill set necessary to evaluate and interpret the growing body of molecular genetics data supporting the Biewer terrier as a distinct breed. A life-long dog lover, she has participated in the growth of her sister’s kennel, Absolutely Adorable Biewers, and has worked with BTCA, Inc. (Biewer Terrier Club of America, Inc.) since 01/08. Dr. Fuller currently resides in Southern California with her husband, teenage children, four dogs and a cat. This article took what looks like some valid data, but reached inappropriate conclusions. If one accepts that the piebald gene is responsible for the white coat color in Biewers, that is just fine (I am still trying to find out if the piebald gene is located on chromosome 5, the one Paul has identified as being from the XXXXX maybe XXXXX, background). But whomever wrote the article did not account for how the piebald gene got into Yorkies, if, as I understand, it has not been documented before. Given that this allele appears to be recessive (correct me if I am wrong about this) it would have taken a cross between two Yorkies with the recessive piebald gene that they supposedly don’t have to have produced an offspring with white coat color; the chances of that would have been 25% if they each had the recessive allele not previously documented in Yorkies.. But did the Yorkie parents both magically, and independently, each acquire the piebald gene, and from where? This data does not support the argument that no other breed was introduced to produce the Biewer color. The chances of such independent mutations bumping into each other are astronomical. A stray chunk of chromosome from a little cross-breeding wandering into the mix is much more probable. |
06-03-2008, 01:47 PM | #6 |
BANNED! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alabama
Posts: 209
| I received an email from Shiela Schmutz Ph.D. and she totally denies making any such statement that NO OTHER BREED was introduced to attain the coloring in the Biewer Terriers and she also said that she did not give anyone permission to post anything. She also DID NOT request anything from the BBCI Department of Education and Research, under direction of Carolyn Arnold. One of the members from their club, approached her and ask if they could submit their dogs. Is this why no one from that group can answers any questions? Are they making assessments and saying that the geneticist made them? Shiela Schmutz didn't say these things, then where did the information come? |
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