Dogs are said to have one of the richest genetic code among mammals. That's why we can make so many variations among the same species. We've been hearing so much about DNA, but I think lots of people are confused by how little we still know in this field. Scientists are still unsure of some of the chromosomes and dogs have almost twice the number as humans. To date, only the first 21 dog chromosomes have been numbered, out a total of 38 pairs.
Quote:
|
The most tantalizing aspect of dog genetics is the tremendous variability among the breeds. As most people have marveled during their lives, how can a little Jack Russell terrier and a lumbering Great Dane possibly share the same DNA? Or, how can an obsessive-compulsive border collie and a happy-go-lucky Bernese Mountain Dog possibly have almost the exact same genetic code? And yet, scientists estimate that virtually all domesticated breeds are 99.9% similar on the DNA level. Sit, DNA, Sit: Cancer Genetics Going to the Dogs -- Kuska 91 (3): 204 -- JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute |
So dogs can now share the same DNA code and be a different breed, however, until we understand the chromosomes and what they do, I don't believe we well be able to be able to offer
proof that the Biewer is indeed different from the Yorkie, and I hope that the AKC will find another way to accept this as a breed as its own. I mean if the Jack Russell Terrier were trying to enter the AKC through DNA analysis, they would refuse it by saying it's a Great Dane. However, just though looks alone, people understand that this is indeed a different breed. I believe the same thing to be true of Biewers and people do believe that they look and act like different breed. I think the clubs that are pushing DNA analysis to prove the Biewer is a different breed or even a mixed breed are barking up the wrong tree.