Hey! You can help further the research into finding the genetic marker for megaesophagus. If your dog was diagnosed with megaesopgagus before 1 year of age, you can help by sending in a sample of his DNA. You’ll need to request a kit busing the contact information in the link. You don’t need to be in the US to participate. The study is headed up by Leigh Anne Clark Ph.D out of Clemson University.
Check this post to find out more about megaesophagus, where to get support, Bailey chairs, etc.
Evolutionary Tree of Dog Breeds & Grey Wolves
(click to enlarge)
A comprehensive new study shows that dogs are more closely related to wolves in the Middle East and therefore originated there. (It was previously believed dogs were more closely related to wolves in East Asia and originated there.) These new findings better match archaeological evidence of dogs in the Middle East. It’s not all that surprising that dogs originated in the Middle East—this is also where cats were domesticated and many of our livestock animals were domesticated.
The study also showed that dog classifications based on behavioral traits (herding, retrieving, vermin hunting, etc.) match the branches in the dog evolutionary tree. Herding breeds descend from other herding breeds, retrievers from retrievers, sight hounds from sight hounds, terriers from terriers. This seems like common sense, but scientists didn’t have genetic proof before this study. On the flip side, toy dogs, bred for size and not behavioral traits, descend from many branches of the dog evolutionary tree.
Be sure to click on the the dog evolutionary tree above—very interesting.
The town of Vercelli, Italy will be collecting DNA samples from all registered dogs to build a database. Then, any unclaimed piles of poop littering the town will be tested and matched to the poopee resulting in a fine. What do you think the job title will be for that unfortunate job?
Vercelli isn’t the first town to do this. Petah Tikvah, Israel implemented a similar poop DNA program.
Some UK towns are also keeping an eye on dog owners in a creepy, Big Brother way. Four different city councils in the UK —Derby, Bolton, Gateshead and Hartlepool—admitted they have used CCTV surveillance to investigate people not picking up their dog’s poop.
