Flash is not yours average puppy. A yellow Labrador, named after one of Britain’s first guide dogs from 1931, it is playful, affectionate and loves to learn new commands. Flash enrolled herself in an elaborate program that took two years and nearly $50,000 to train her to be a guide dog for the blind and visually impaired. Ms Melanie’s temporary carer will make sure she maintains a healthy routine: walking twice a day in different environments, taking the train here, going to the mall there to get acquainted with the new ones. others. But Melanie accomplished one of her most important tasks: When Flash was 5 months old, she picked the puppy’s cheeks and mailed saliva to a team of researchers trying to decipher the code. The link between genetics, health and behavior in dogs.
About half of the dogs bred to guide end up not doing the job because of health or behavioral problems. Modern dogs suffer from many genetic diseases, a side effect of keeping breeds separate and select them for the desired characteristics. Some of these purebreds may have the right appearance, but not the right temperament, to be a working dog. But what if breeders could predict what makes a good guide dog and pick out undesirable traits, ensuring they are not passed on to the next generation?
More than 500 features Similar to the human genetic conditions described in dogs — both species can develop cancer, eye disease, or hip dysplasia. Cheap DNA test for canines it is possible to screen for changes, called mutations, in a single gene. However, the causes of many other conditions are more complicated. They may be linked to multiple genes or to environmental factors such as exercise, food, dust, or mold spores. “We definitely wanted to deal with complex traits,” said Tom Lewis, head of canine genetics at Guide Dogs. The charity breeds around 1,000 puppies a year, who spend their first year in volunteers’ homes before taking part in formal training.
Before joining Guide Dogs in January, Lewis worked at the Animal Health Trust and the Kennel Club in the UK. Dysplasia is one of those genetic conditions that can be difficult to diagnose and treat. This is a deformity of the hip that develops during development, despite trauma from trauma, being overweight or lack of muscle strength may aggravate the condition. For example, puppies raised in homes with hardwood floors can build less muscle mass in their legs – they can’t handle the traction on the floor and slide back and forth, which makes it difficult for their joints. their small. The constant pain can eventually translate into limping and arthritis in adult dogs, making them unfit to guide or assist people with disabilities.
Good health is key for guide dogs, but temperament is just as important. They need to lead their owners around obstacles and others while remaining calm and docile. They need to resist chasing squirrels or getting too excited when meeting other dogs. Not every breed of dog has what it needs. For example, the cocker spaniel is intelligent, affectionate, and a great choice for families, but it is also too excitable. “Even if you train them the same, you would never expect a spaniel to become a guide dog. Lewis said they are too hot-tempered and inappropriate, and that it could be a genetic thing.
