This is a fun study. It is sort of similar to the DNA footprint of humans. Dogs have been partners in survival in human history since the extinction of dinosaurs.
As a side note, I once had a Doberman who was a dream of a pet. Gretal came from a wonderful kennel in Pennsylvania called Kimbertal Kennels. We chose them because of their strong breed heritage to it's original German origins. But, what is sincerely interesting and could be a class trip for local schools, is the rescue effort they conduct for wolves (click here).
But, the idea of 'The Village Dog" is a tribute to the relationship people have had with dogs. There is the idea there are climates that are more kind to specific breeds, but, dogs adapt, too.
The real reason I find the study interesting is because in the past decade there has been exploration into hybrid vigor as families look for a great pet for their children.
This great dog, to the right, is an Aussie Labradoodle. It is a hybrid cross between a Labrador and a Poodle. Poodles are really smart and Labradors have great temperaments. The cross produces a dog with a happy heart.
They have proven for at least ten years they are successful in preserving the best quality of the breed when two Labradoodles are parents.
There is an interesting genetic side effect in litters of this new hybrid. Poodles have several sizes recognized by the American Kennel Society. Well, it works out that one litter of Labradoodles can have puppies that grow to be either small, medium or large.
Now that was some time ago and I know the breeders of this dog want to standardize the breed to present it to the AKA for recognition. I don't think they have gotten close yet. But, they are great dogs and they are good family pets and one breeder can cater to families that want a small, medium or large dog.
"The Village Dog" takes a peak at the basis of dog breeds and how they adapted to their climate and food source. So, the question that comes to mind, is will this study prove to add more insight into hybrids that can be great pets, too?
Dogs (click here) were the first domesticated species, but the precise timing and location of domestication are hotly debated. Using genomic data from 5,392 dogs, including a global set of 549 village dogs, we find strong evidence that dogs were domesticated in Central Asia, perhaps near present-day Nepal and Mongolia. Dogs in nearby regions (e.g., East Asia, India, and Southwest Asia) contain high levels of genetic diversity due to their proximity to Central Asia and large population sizes. Indigenous dog populations in the Neotropics and South Pacific have been largely replaced by European dogs, whereas those in Africa show varying degrees of European vs. indigenous African ancestry.
But, the idea of 'The Village Dog" is a tribute to the relationship people have had with dogs. There is the idea there are climates that are more kind to specific breeds, but, dogs adapt, too.
The real reason I find the study interesting is because in the past decade there has been exploration into hybrid vigor as families look for a great pet for their children.
This great dog, to the right, is an Aussie Labradoodle. It is a hybrid cross between a Labrador and a Poodle. Poodles are really smart and Labradors have great temperaments. The cross produces a dog with a happy heart. They have proven for at least ten years they are successful in preserving the best quality of the breed when two Labradoodles are parents.
There is an interesting genetic side effect in litters of this new hybrid. Poodles have several sizes recognized by the American Kennel Society. Well, it works out that one litter of Labradoodles can have puppies that grow to be either small, medium or large.
Now that was some time ago and I know the breeders of this dog want to standardize the breed to present it to the AKA for recognition. I don't think they have gotten close yet. But, they are great dogs and they are good family pets and one breeder can cater to families that want a small, medium or large dog.
"The Village Dog" takes a peak at the basis of dog breeds and how they adapted to their climate and food source. So, the question that comes to mind, is will this study prove to add more insight into hybrids that can be great pets, too?
Dogs (click here) were the first domesticated species, but the precise timing and location of domestication are hotly debated. Using genomic data from 5,392 dogs, including a global set of 549 village dogs, we find strong evidence that dogs were domesticated in Central Asia, perhaps near present-day Nepal and Mongolia. Dogs in nearby regions (e.g., East Asia, India, and Southwest Asia) contain high levels of genetic diversity due to their proximity to Central Asia and large population sizes. Indigenous dog populations in the Neotropics and South Pacific have been largely replaced by European dogs, whereas those in Africa show varying degrees of European vs. indigenous African ancestry.
