If you or any members of your club/community are interested
in participating in this new and exciting realm of dog behavioral genetics
research, find out more here.
THANK YOU ALL WHO SENT IN SAMPLES THIS SUMMER!!
We have a new half sheet questionnaire for noise phobia. If you have sent in samples in the past and not filled out a form, you will be receiving emails and copies in the mail shortly!
You may also be contacted for duplicate samples of saliva or swab collections for verification purposes.
We thank you in advance for your ongoing participation!
PLEASE SEND YOUR KITS BACK ASAP IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY. IT WOULD BE A HUGE HELP FOR THE FUTURE!
Project Goal:
We are currently investigating the genetics of behavior, both normal and abnormal purpose-bred dogs.
Our current focus is on the Border Collie breed. We also are working with Australian Shepherds, Bearded Collies and Portuguese Water Dogs.
Noise phobia. Noise phobias typically manifest as fear or panic responses to sounds such as thunder, fireworks, or gunshots. In some cases, noise phobias are severe enough to affect a dog’s working utility or quality of life.The flip side is totally Solid dogs! Most dogs fall int he middle range. We would like to test the extremes at this time.
Hearing acuity and response to auditory cues in working Border Collies. We are also particularly interested in learning more about the genetics of adult-onset hearing loss, which can be a devastating problem for working dogs and their handlers. this occurs between the age of 3 and 6 and IS NOT OLD DOG DEAFNESS that occurs after the age of 10. It is also not a dog born Deaf.
An investigation of population structure and variation within the Border Collie breed, investigating questions such as whether or not there is a “split” between dogs bred primarily for working, and dogs bred primarily for show.
Investigating the behavior of the "eye" and how it differs between lines in the Border Collie, Beardie, and Aussie and compared to the pointers/setters.
How you can help:
We are still looking for participants. Whether your dogs suffer from behavioral and/or medical problems or not, you are highly encouraged to participate.
Please spread the word! The response from the canine community has been tremendous, but we still need more dogs. You can help by sending us DNA samples and behavioral data. Samples are sought from:
Affected Dogs: Dogs that suffer or appear to suffer from noise phobias or other problem behaviors such as panic, fear, anxiety, and aggression. Dogs that show signs of adult-onset hearing loss/deafness. Dogs that suffer from epilepsy.
"Normal" Dogs: Individual dogs do not have to display any specific suites of behaviors or behavioral or medical problems prior to participation. Behaviorally normal dogs are required for a comparative sample, and also to assess overall genetic diversity in Border Collies. Assessments of within-breed diversity are a necessary prerequisite for association studies looking for genetic causes of specific behaviors, or of disease.
Family Members of Behaviorally Affected Dogs: Members of a known accessible family (including siblings, parents, grandparents, etc.) related to a behaviorally or medically affected dog. Relatives may be either affected or unaffected (normal).
COPIES OF PEDIGREES ARE REQUESTED. ALL DATA SUBMITTED REMAIN STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
