Analysis of genetic variation in 28 dog breed populations with 100 microsatellite markers.

Dog breeds were created by man choosing for select phenotypic traits such as size, shape, coat color, conformation, and behavior. Rigorous phenotypic selection likely resulted in a loss of genetic information. The present study extends previous dog population observations by assessing the genotypic variation within and across 28 breeds representing the seven recognized breed groups of the American Kennel Club (AKC). One hundred autosomal microsatellite markers distributed across the canine genome were used to examine variation within breeds. Resulting breed-specific allele frequencies were then used in an attempt to elucidate phylogeny and genetic distances between breeds. While the set of autosomal microsatellites was useful in describing genetic variation within breeds, establishing the genetic relatedness between breeds was less conclusive. A more accurate determination of breed phylogeny will likely require the use of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).