Home Page › Forums › Darwin’s Ark › Saint Bernard Genetics: Face markings(Mask) and Rear Dew Claws
kristen johnson 2.
I recently got my first male St. Bernard puppy from a breeder. Do you know if there is a genetic cause for the rare half mask? Also my puppy has fully formed rear dew claws but his front dew claws were removed shortly after birth. I have read that the rear dew claws are not uncommon in the breed. Is there a gene specifically for the rear dew claws?
Hello Chere,
The classic mask seen in St. Bernard dogs is a pattern called “piebald”. Clarence Cook Little, a dog geneticist, discovered in the 1950s how this coat color pattern is inherited and described it as the “S” spotting locus. Later, three groups of scientists independently found the gene responsible for this pattern: MITF. Elinor Karlsson has found that differences in the DNA around this gene, MITF, seem to result in differences in the extent of the piebald pattern.
While I cannot say for certain what causes the half mask in St. Bernard’s, I think the gene MITF may be a good candidate for its genetic basis!
The genetic cause for hind-leg dew claws has been attributed to a few different changes in the gene LMBR1. This gene controls hind-leg development. It has also been involved in human polydactyly — that is, people having extra toes!
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions!
Kathleen
Great question Chere, and thank you Kathleen for your knowledgable reply!
Just so our participants are aware, Kathleen is a graduate student in the Karlsson lab researching canine genetics!
Thank you Kathleen.
Great information. I appreciate the quick response.
It gives me a great starting point for learning about the inheritance of the mask pattern.
Chere
Thank you Kathleen. This is interesting.
My mixed breed is the first dog I have seen with all 4 dew claws.
How common are dew claws in dogs? My late dog, also a mixed breed, only had 2.
Take dogs out for an extended walk or some playtime maximum high fine as quickly as they have removed praise your domestic dog on every occasion they get rid of the exterior. praise or supply treats but recalls to gain this at as soon as after they’ve completed now not after they come over again internal.
This step is crucial, due to the reality profitable your dog for going outside is the total way to educate what is predicted of them. before worthwhile, ensure they’re finished.
puppies are except problems distracted and in case you reward too quick, they will neglect approximately to entire until they’re lower back inside the house.
For more information click the link below ……………….
how to house train a dog / House training is the 1 you really want to need //
So interesting! One of my mixed dogs has all four dew claws and the other only has the front two. I never really thought about dew claws at all until I had two dogs with different ones.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login
Become a Part of Darwin’s Ark
At Darwin’s Ark we are following the pawprints of evolution. We're studying how changes in DNA helped make our pets the beloved companions and work partners they are today.
Darwin’s Ark is a non-profit scientific project. Your donation will help support our research into common health problems that affect both people and their pets. Thank you!
Darwin's Dogs is growing: we are now Darwin's Ark!
Welcome to our new home!
By accessing the website at https://darwinsark.org and any webpages thereof (hereinafter “Darwin’s Ark”), you are agreeing to be bound by these Terms of Service, and agree that you are responsible for compliance with and violations of any applicable federal, state, and local laws (“Laws”) in connection with access or use of Darwin’s Ark, including services and results provided by the Darwin’s Ark Foundation and its agents. If you do not agree with any of these Terms of Service, violate any of these Terms of Service, or violate any applicable Laws, you are prohibited from using or accessing Darwin’s Ark. The content contained in Darwin’s Ark is the property of the Darwin’s Ark Foundation, our affiliates, and/or our licensors, and is protected by applicable copyright and trademark law. Data submitted to Darwin’s Ark is protected by our Privacy Policy.
Each user of Darwin’s Ark is granted a limited, personal, non-transferable, non-exclusive, non-sublicensable, revocable license to access and use Darwin’s Ark solely for personal, non-commercial use. Your license to access and use Darwin’s Ark is revoked upon violation of any of the Terms of Service, or any applicable Laws. The content on Darwin's Ark may include technical, typographical, or photographic errors. This content is provided without warranty that the content is accurate, complete or current. Darwin's Ark Foundation reserves the right to modify, expand, or remove content of Darwin’s Ark at any time without notice. Darwin's Ark Foundation has no duty to update Darwin’s Ark content. By accessing or using Darwin’s Ark, you agree to hold harmless the Darwin’s Ark Foundation, including its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and all costs and expenses of defense (collectively, ‘Claims’), including without limitation attorneys’ fees, resulting directly or indirectly from (i) your use of Darwin’s Ark or its services, (ii) any use or disclosure of any information that is obtained from our services and disclosed to you consistent with the Privacy Policy, (iii) any disclosure by you, whether intentionally or unintentionally, of you or your pet’s information to any third party, (iv) your provision of any information or genetic material, and/or (v) any user’s or other third party’s use of any information, personal, financial, or otherwise, submitted in connection with your use or access of Darwin’s Ark. At our option, you agree to defend and indemnify the Darwin’s Ark Foundation, including its directors, employees, and agents, from any Claims.
You agree that Darwin's Ark Foundation is not responsible or liable for any third-party content linked or referenced in Darwin’s Ark. You understand and agree that the Darwin’s Ark Foundation does not endorse any third-party content referenced or linked in Darwin’s Ark. You further agree to assume any and all risk associated with accessing any third-party content linked or referenced in Darwin’s Ark, and acknowledge that the Darwin’s Ark Foundation assumes no liability for your access of such third-party content.
Darwin's Ark Foundation may revise these Terms of Service at any time without notice. By using or accessing this website, you are agreeing to be bound by the Terms of Service current at the time of such use or access.
These terms and conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Washington State. You agree that any dispute or claim involving liability equal to or exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000) shall be resolved according to binding arbitration under Washington State Law. You further agree that any arbitration proceedings shall be conducted by a single arbitrator selected by the Darwin’s Ark Foundation. The user and Darwin’s Ark Foundation agree that such arbitration proceedings shall be conducted according to the Consumer Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, unless otherwise specified under the Terms of Service, or where such rules conflict with Federal law or Washington state law. You further agree that any dispute or claim involving liability less than five thousand dollars ($5000) shall be resolved in small claims court in King County, Washington State.
Darwin’s Ark performs genetic sequencing for research purposes only. Submission of a DNA sample does not guarantee that that sample will be processed. For processed samples, Darwin’s Ark and Darwin’s Ark Foundation do not guarantee success in processing. Results of successfully processed samples will be made available to the submitter. You understand that each animal is an individual, and their traits are the result of the interaction of genetics and environment. Darwin’s Ark Foundation does not guarantee that the results of a genetic test will predict a trait in an animal, or in any way guarantee the mental or physical health or well-being of the animal. You agree that, the results of this sequencing will not be used for medical or behavioral purposes, or as a substitute for veterinary care or diagnosis. You understand that an animal’s ancestry and genetic sequencing results may not predict its medical or behavioral characteristics, and that such results do not necessarily specify or characterize breed or traits for the purpose of determining whether a particular animal falls under an area’s breed laws or regulations. You agree that Darwin’s Ark is not responsible for providing you with any notification about breed ancestry for an area’s breed laws or regulations. You further agree that Darwin’s Ark is not responsible for injuries occurring as a result of obtaining the swab sample. You understand that errors may occur in the genetic sequencing process, including provisioning of sampling equipment and the obtaining and shipping of genetic materials. You additionally agree that the Darwin’s Ark Foundation is not liable or otherwise responsible for any such errors. You agree that Darwin’s Ark and the Darwin’s Ark Foundation may use genetic materials you provide for research purposes without limitation.
Darwin’s Ark provides the opportunity for pet owners to expedite the sequencing of an animal’s genetics for a fee. Expedited sampling is intended for use in Darwin’s Ark research and not for medical or behavioral purposes. Darwin’s Ark and its agents will exercise due diligence to sequence genetic samples received through this for-fee program. If DNA extraction and/or processing fails, Darwin’s Ark will provide a second kit without fee. If genetic extraction and/or processing from the second kit fails, Darwin’s Ark will provide a refund less the costs of shipping and handling. If a genetic sample from the same animal is sent subsequent to failure of extraction and/or processing from the second kit without prior approval from the researchers, it will not be processed and any fee associated with such subsequent genetic sampling will not be returned. Damages or liability, including shipping and handling costs, for any errors related to the sequence analysis, including ancestry testing, of for-fee samples is limited to the payment received.
This Terms of Service was last updated on June 18, 2018.
Are you sure want to change the primary account owner to another member?
We generally prefer that you not go back to edit answers... we really want your first reactions to the questions. Don't worry if they are not perfect – your first response is what is of great value to us.
However, if you feel there has been a clear and substantial mistake that needs to be revised, we can reopen a survey.
If a survey is reopened, your existing answers will remain in place. The survey will, however, be removed from your "Completed" and returned to the "Up Next" list.
To revise your answers, select the survey, then click "Retake"
You will be brought to the first question of that survey. Use the Next/Previous arrows in the lower right to move back to the question(s) you need to revise.
Once your new answers have been entered, click the "Submit" button to resubmit the survey.
Are you sure you want to reopen the requested survey?
Yes, Let's Try Again No, Leave It Be