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Penny

Mixed Ancestry

“In the summer of 2008 I attended an adoption event looking for another dog I'd seen on the rescue's website. Instead, this scruffy little terrier stood on her hind legs waving her paws at me. On August 16, 2008 that scruff pup moved in with me. She was my earth angel. Sadly, on Nov. 24, 2019, at the age of 12, Penny lost her life to cancer. We had 11 amazing years together. Her profile here helps keep her memory alive.”

Instagram tag
@thepennygirl

Place of Birth

Lancaster, California, USA

Current Location

Gardena, California, USA

From

Newhall, Santa Clarita, CA, USA

This dog has been viewed and been given 17 wags

Genetic Breed Result

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Chihuahua

Chihuahuas have a huge personality that defies their tiny frame, known to be highly active and intelligent canines.

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Pomeranian

The Pomeranian is a cocky, animated companion with an extroverted personality.

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Shih Tzu

This ancient breed is the perfect lapdog. Sweet and easygoing, they want nothing more than to be close to their humans.

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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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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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Boxer

Developed in Germany, the Boxer is a popular family dog: patient, loyal and smart-requiring lots of exercise and proper training. For active families or owners looking for a rambunctious jogging buddy, Boxers may be the perfect breed. Boxers delight their humans with their sense of humor and affectionate nature.

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Dogs Like Penny

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Discover dogs who share a similar breed mix to Penny. 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:
Chihuahua
Pomeranian
Shih Tzu
Chow Chow
German Shepherd Dog
Boxer

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Here’s what Penny’s family tree may have looked like.
While there may be other possible configurations of her family’s relationships, this is the most likely family tree to explain Penny’s breed mix.
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Health Summary

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Penny is at increased risk for one genetic health condition.

And inherited one variant that you should learn more about.

Intervertebral Disc Disease (Type I)

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Penny inherited one copy of the variant we tested

How to interpret this result

Penny has one copy of an FGF4 retrogene on chromosome 12. In some breeds such as Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, and Dachshunds (among others) this variant is found in nearly all dogs. While those breeds are known to have an elevated risk of IVDD, many dogs in those breeds never develop IVDD. For mixed breed dogs and purebreds of other breeds where this variant is not as common, risk for Type I IVDD is greater for individuals with this variant than for similar dogs.

What is Intervertebral Disc Disease (Type I)?

Type I Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is a back/spine issue that refers to a health condition affecting the discs that act as cushions between vertebrae. With Type I IVDD, affected dogs can have a disc event where it ruptures or herniates towards the spinal cord. This pressure on the spinal cord causes neurologic signs which can range from a wobbly gait to impairment of movement. Chondrodystrophy (CDDY) refers to the relative proportion between a dog’s legs and body, wherein the legs are shorter and the body longer. There are multiple different variants that can cause a markedly chondrodystrophic appearance as observed in Dachshunds and Corgis. However, this particular variant is the only one known to also increase the risk for IVDD.

ALT Activity

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Penny inherited one copy of the variant we tested

Why is this important to your vet?

Penny has one copy of a variant associated with reduced ALT activity as measured on veterinary blood chemistry panels. Please inform your veterinarian that Penny has this genotype, as ALT is often used as an indicator of liver health and Penny is likely to have a lower than average resting ALT activity. As such, an increase in Penny’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 Boxers

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

Prekallikrein Deficiency

Identified in Shih Tzus

Progressive Retinal Atrophy, rcd3

Identified in Pomeranians

Progressive Retinal Atrophy, prcd

Identified in Chihuahuas

Progressive Retinal Atrophy, crd4/cord1

Identified in Chihuahuas

Day Blindness

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs

Urate Kidney & Bladder Stones

Identified in German Shepherd Dogs and Pomeranians

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 7, NCL 7

Identified in Chihuahuas

Spinocerebellar Ataxia with Myokymia and/or Seizures

Identified in Chihuahuas

Degenerative Myelopathy, DM

Identified in Boxers and German Shepherd Dogs

Hereditary Vitamin D-Resistant Rickets

Identified in Pomeranians

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

Haplogroup

B1

Haplotype

B1a

Map

B1

Penny’s Haplogroup

B1 is the second most common maternal lineage in breeds of European or American origin. It is the female line of the majority of Golden Retrievers, Basset Hounds, and Shih Tzus, and about half of Beagles, Pekingese and Toy Poodles. This lineage is also somewhat common among village dogs that carry distinct ancestry from these breeds. We know this is a result of B1 dogs being common amongst the European dogs that their conquering owners brought around the world, because nowhere on earth is it a very common lineage in village dogs. It even enables us to trace the path of (human) colonization: Because most Bichons are B1 and Bichons are popular in Spanish culture, B1 is now fairly common among village dogs in Latin America.

B1a

Penny’s Haplotype

Part of the large B1 haplogroup, we have spotted this haplotype in village dogs in Peru and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Among breeds, we see it occasionally in Yorkshire Terriers, Boxers, and English Cocker Spaniels.

The B1 haplogroup can be found in village dogs like the Peruvian Village Dog, pictured above.

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The Paternal Haplotype reveals a dog’s deep ancestral lineage, stretching back thousands of years to the original domestication of dogs.

Are you looking for information on the breeds that Penny inherited from her mom and dad? Check out her breed breakdown and family tree.

Paternal Haplotype is determined by looking at a dog’s Y-chromosome—but not all dogs have Y-chromosomes!

Why can’t we show Paternal Haplotype results for female dogs?

All dogs have two sex chromosomes. Female dogs have two X-chromosomes (XX) and male dogs have one X-chromosome and one Y-chromosome (XY). When having offspring, female (XX) dogs always pass an X-chromosome to their puppy. Male (XY) dogs can pass either an X or a Y-chromosome—if the puppy receives an X-chromosome from its father then it will be a female (XX) puppy and if it receives a Y-chromosome then it will be a male (XY) puppy. As you can see, Y-chromosomes are passed down from a male dog only to its male offspring.

Since Penny is a female (XX) dog, she has no Y-chromosome for us to analyze and determine a paternal haplotype.

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