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Gus

Mixed Ancestry

“Gus was adopted from the San Francisco SPCA Mission campus at 8 weeks. He is very sweet and very stubborn. He'll do just about anything for a treat unless there's another dog around - then it's play time! His favorite games are tug-o-war and chasing. As a puppy he got the hiccups almost every time he ate.”

Place of Birth

SF, California, USA

Current Location

Oakland, California, USA

From

San Francisco SPCA Adoption Center, Florida Street, San Francisco, CA, USA

This dog has been viewed and been given 8 wags

Genetic Breed Result

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German Shepherd Dog

German Shepherds are confident, courageous dogs with a keen sense of smell and notable intelligence. These are active working dogs who excel at many canine sports and tasks -- they are true utility dogs! Their versatility combined with their loyal companionship has them consistently listed as one of the most popular breeds in the United States.

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American Pit Bull Terrier

The American Pit Bull Terrier originated in the British Isles and descends from the Mastiff-type dogs introduced to England in antiquity. The breed was brought over to the United States by English immigrants in the 1800s, and quickly became one of the most popular and widespread breeds there.

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Chow Chow

This distinctive-looking dog breed has a proud, independent spirit that some describe as catlike. Often aloof and suspicious of strangers, the Chow Chow may not be a cuddle buddy, but for the right person, they are a fiercely loyal companion.

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Dogs Like Gus

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Discover dogs who share a similar breed mix to Gus. A higher score means the two dogs have more of their breed mix in common. A score of 100% means they share the exact same breed mix!

Click or tap on a pic to learn more about each dog and see an in-depth comparison of their DNA, breeds, and more.

DNA Breed Origins

Breed colors:
German Shepherd Dog
American Pit Bull Terrier
Chow Chow

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Here’s what Gus’s family tree may have looked like.
Gus
Family Tree From Embark PARENTS GRANDPARENTS GREAT GRANDPARENTS German Shepherd Dog mix German Shepherd Dog mix German Shepherd Dog German Shepherd Dog / Chow Chow mix German Shepherd Dog American Pit Bull Terrier / German Shepherd Dog mix German Shepherd Dog German Shepherd Dog German Shepherd Dog Chow Chow mix German Shepherd Dog German Shepherd Dog American Pit Bull Terrier German Shepherd Dog
While there may be other possible configurations of his family’s relationships, this is the most likely family tree to explain Gus’s breed mix.
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Health Summary

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Gus inherited one variant that you should learn more about.

And one variant that you should tell your vet about.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy, DCM1

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Gus inherited one copy of the variant we tested

What does this result mean?

Our research indicates that this genetic variant is not likely to increase the risk that Gus will develop this disease.

Scientific Basis

Dogs with similar breeds to Gus are not likely to have increased risk of developing the disease. Research has indicated increased risk in other breeds that are not found in Gus.

What is Dilated Cardiomyopathy, DCM1?

DCM is the most common acquired heart disease of adult dogs. The heart has two heavily muscled ventricles that pump blood away from the heart. This disease causes progressive weakening of the ventricles by reducing the muscle mass, which causes the ventricles to dilate. Dilated ventricles do not contract and circulate oxygenated blood well, which eventually leads to heart failure.

ALT Activity

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Gus inherited one copy of the variant we tested

Why is this important to your vet?

Gus has one copy of a variant associated with reduced ALT activity as measured on veterinary blood chemistry panels. Please inform your veterinarian that Gus has this genotype, as ALT is often used as an indicator of liver health and Gus is likely to have a lower than average resting ALT activity. As such, an increase in Gus’s ALT activity could be evidence of liver damage, even if it is within normal limits by standard ALT reference ranges.

What is ALT Activity?

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is a clinical tool that can be used by veterinarians to better monitor liver health. This result is not associated with liver disease. ALT is one of several values veterinarians measure on routine blood work to evaluate the liver. It is a naturally occurring enzyme located in liver cells that helps break down protein. When the liver is damaged or inflamed, ALT is released into the bloodstream.

Breed-Relevant Genetic Conditions

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Multiple Drug Sensitivity

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Hemophilia A

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Hemophilia A

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Canine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency Type III, CLAD III

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Progressive Retinal Atrophy, crd1

Identified in American Pit Bull Terriers

Progressive Retinal Atrophy, crd2

Identified in American Pit Bull Terriers

Day Blindness

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Urate Kidney & Bladder Stones

Identified in American Pit Bull Terriers and German Shepherd Dogs

Anhidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Renal Cystadenocarcinoma and Nodular Dermatofibrosis

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII, Sly Syndrome, MPS VII

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis, Cerebellar Ataxia, NCL4A

Identified in American Pit Bull Terriers

Degenerative Myelopathy, DM

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

L-2-Hydroxyglutaricaciduria, L2HGA

Identified in American Pit Bull Terriers

Additional Genetic Conditions

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Traits

Explore the genetics behind your dog’s appearance and size.

Base Coat Color

Base Coat Color

Coat Color Modifiers

Coat Color Modifiers

Other Coat Traits

Other Coat Traits

Other Body Features

Other Body Features

Body Size

Body Size

Performance

Performance

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Through Gus’s mitochondrial DNA we can trace his mother’s ancestry back to where dogs and people first became friends. This map helps you visualize the routes that his ancestors took to your home. Their story is described below the map.

Haplogroup

A1b

Haplotype

A18/19/20/21/27/36/94/109

Map

A1b

Gus’s Haplogroup

This female lineage was very likely one of the original lineages in the wolves that were first domesticated into dogs in Central Asia about 15,000 years ago. Since then, the lineage has been very successful and travelled the globe! Dogs from this group are found in ancient Bronze Age fossils in the Middle East and southern Europe. By the end of the Bronze Age, it became exceedingly common in Europe. These dogs later became many of the dogs that started some of today's most popular breeds, like German Shepherds, Pugs, Whippets, English Sheepdogs and Miniature Schnauzers. During the period of European colonization, the lineage became even more widespread as European dogs followed their owners to far-flung places like South America and Oceania. It's now found in many popular breeds as well as village dogs across the world!

A18/19/20/21/27/36/94/109

Gus’s Haplotype

Part of the large A1b haplogroup, we see this haplotype in village dogs in over 25 countries across the world. We have detected this haplotype in lots of breeds, and it occurs most commonly in German Shepherd Dogs, Maltese, English Springer Spaniels, and English Setters.

A1b is the most common haplogroup found in German Shepherds.

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Through Gus’s Y-chromosome we can trace his father’s ancestry back to where dogs and people first became friends. This map helps you visualize the routes that his ancestors took to your home. Their story is described below the map.

Haplogroup

A1a

Haplotype

H1a.15

Map

A1a

Gus’s Haplogroup

Some of the wolves that became the original dogs in Central Asia around 15,000 years ago came from this long and distinguished line of male dogs. After domestication, they followed their humans from Asia to Europe and then didn't stop there. They took root in Europe, eventually becoming the dogs that founded the Vizsla breed 1,000 years ago. The Vizsla is a Central European hunting dog, and all male Vizslas descend from this line. During the Age of Exploration, like their owners, these pooches went by the philosophy, "Have sail, will travel!" From the windy plains of Patagonia to the snug and homey towns of the American Midwest, the beaches of a Pacific paradise, and the broad expanse of the Australian outback, these dogs followed their masters to the outposts of empires. Whether through good fortune or superior genetics, dogs from the A1a lineage traveled the globe and took root across the world. Now you find village dogs from this line frolicking on Polynesian beaches, hanging out in villages across the Americas, and scavenging throughout Old World settlements. You can also find this "prince of patrilineages" in breeds as different as German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Pugs, Border Collies, Scottish Terriers, and Irish Wolfhounds. No male wolf line has been as successful as the A1a line!

H1a.15

Gus’s Haplotype

Part of the large A1a haplogroup, this haplotype is found in village dogs from across the globe (outside of Asia). As for breeds, it is primarily seen in German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. It is by far the most common haplotype in German Shepherds.

Dogs with A1a lineage travelled during European Colonial times.

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