Cancer Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
BMC Genet. 2010 Jul 22;11:71. doi: 10.1186/1471-2156-11-71.
The Alaskan sled dog offers a rare opportunity to investigate the development of a dog breed based solely on performance, rather than appearance, thus setting the breed apart from most others. Several established breeds, many of which are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), have been introduced into the sled dog population to enhance racing performance. We have used molecular methods to ascertain the constitutive breeds used to develop successful sled dog lines, and in doing so, determined the breed origins of specific performance-related behaviors.One hundred and ninety-nine Alaskan sled dogs were genotyped using 96 microsatellite markers that span the canine genome. These data were compared to that from 141 similarly genotyped purebred dog breeds. Sled dogs were evaluated for breed composition based on a variety of performance phenotypes including speed, endurance and work ethic, and the data stratified based on population structure.
We observe that the Alaskan sled dog has a unique molecular signature and that the genetic profile is sufficient for identifying dogs bred for sprint versus distance. When evaluating contributions of existing breeds we find that the Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky contributions are associated with enhanced endurance; Pointer and Saluki are associated with enhanced speed and the Anatolian Shepherd demonstrates a positive influence on work ethic.
We have established a genetic breed profile for the Alaskan sled dog, identified profile variance between sprint and distance dogs, and established breeds associated with enhanced performance attributes. These data set the stage for mapping studies aimed at finding genes that are associated with athletic attributes integral to the high performing Alaskan sled dog.
阿拉斯加雪橇犬为研究一种完全基于性能而非外观的犬种的发展提供了难得的机会，这使该犬种有别于大多数其他犬种。已经引入了一些已确立的品种，其中许多品种都得到了美国养犬俱乐部（AKC）的认可，以提高比赛成绩。我们已经使用分子方法确定了用于开发成功的雪橇犬系的固有品种，并在此过程中确定了特定与性能相关的行为的品种起源。
使用跨越犬基因组的 96 个微卫星标记对 199 只阿拉斯加雪橇犬进行了基因分型。将这些数据与 141 只同样基因分型的纯种犬进行了比较。根据速度、耐力和职业道德等各种性能表型对雪橇犬进行了品种组成的评估，并根据种群结构对数据进行了分层。
我们观察到阿拉斯加雪橇犬具有独特的分子特征，并且遗传特征足以识别用于短跑和长跑的犬种。在评估现有品种的贡献时，我们发现阿拉斯加雪橇犬和西伯利亚雪橇犬的贡献与增强的耐力有关；指示犬和萨路基犬与提高速度有关，而安纳托利亚牧羊犬则对职业道德产生积极影响。
我们已经为阿拉斯加雪橇犬建立了遗传品种特征，确定了短跑和长跑犬之间的特征差异，并确定了与增强的性能特征相关的品种。这些数据为旨在寻找与阿拉斯加雪橇犬高表现相关的运动属性相关的基因的图谱研究奠定了基础。
