Knowledge Base

Hair Length Dog

Hair Length Hair length is a key morphological trait in most dog breeds, with breed standards typically specifying a specific length for registered breeds. The fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5) gene plays a crucial role in the development and growth of coat hairs in dogs and other mammals. Various recessive...

Improper Coat/Furnishings Dog

Improper Coat/Furnishings Furnishings is the term used to describe the longer facial hair that is characteristic of many wire-haired breeds. The presence of furnishings is caused by a dominant mutation in the R-spondin 2 (RSPO2) gene. RSPO2 is probably also involved in general coat length. In some breeds like Labradoodle,...

Curly Coat Dog

Curly coat Like all mammals, a dog's hair is primarily composed of the protein keratin. Mutations in genes responsible for encoding keratin can alter the shape and texture of individual hairs, which in turn affects the overall appearance of the coat. One example is a recessive mutation in the keratin...

Recessive Hypotrichosis Dog

Recessive hypotrichosis Hypotrichosis is characterized by reduced hair growth, leading to a sparse coat or even complete hair loss. While many types of hypotrichosis are inherited dominantly, a recessive form of the condition stems from a mutation in the gene encoding serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase family, member 3 (SGK3). Puppies with...

Double coat & shedding

Double coat The coat characteristics of dogs are influenced by multiple genes and determine both coat structure (single- or double-layered) and shedding behaviour. A double coat consists of coarse guard hairs forming the top coat and a softer, insulating undercoat, while single-coated dogs lack a true undercoat. Dogs with a...