Analysis of Australian labradoodle genome reveals an emphasis on the
'oodle'
The designer breed is mostly poodle, with some Labrador retriever and
other breeds mixed in

Date:
September 10, 2020
Source:
PLOS
Summary:
The creator of the Australian labradoodle set out to mix poodles
and Labrador retrievers to develop a hypoallergic service dog. But,
according to a new study, the breed that developed from that cross
is primarily poodle.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== [Australian labradoodle | Credit: (c) Jacob / stock.adobe.com] Australian labradoodle puppy (stock image).

Credit: (c) Jacob / stock.adobe.com [Australian labradoodle | Credit:
(c) Jacob / stock.adobe.com] Australian labradoodle puppy (stock image).

Credit: (c) Jacob / stock.adobe.com Close The creator of the Australian labradoodle set out to mix poodles and Labrador retrievers to develop
a hypoallergic service dog. But, according to a new study by Elaine
Ostrander at the National Institutes of Health, published September
10th in PLOS Genetics, the breed that developed from that cross is
primarily poodle.


========================================================================== There are about 350 recognized dog breeds in the world today, many
resulting from intense breeding programs that unintentionally created
dogs at high risk for certain health problems. These high rates of
disease were one motivating factor behind crossing two purebred dogs to
create so-called "designer breeds," coupled with the desire to combine
positive traits from the parental breeds.

The Australian labradoodle is one of the most popular designer breeds,
and so researchers analyzed genetic variations at more than 150,000
locations along its genome to understand how the breed has developed
over the past 31 years.

The findings show that genetically, the Australian labradoodle is mostly poodle, with smaller genetic contributions from the Labrador retriever
and certain types of spaniel. Breeders appear to have preferentially
chosen dogs with a poodle-like coat, which is associated with what many
people consider hypoallergenicity, and without strong preference for
specific traits from Labrador retrievers.

The new study demonstrates that changes in very few genes, over a small
number of generations, can define a new dog breed. The results of this
genetic study may also inform the development of genetic tests that can
be incorporated into thoughtful breeding programs to avoid some of the
health problems that commonly afflict Australian labradoodles. Currently, Australian labradoodles supporters are lobbying to have the breed
officially recognized by an international registry.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by PLOS. Note: Content may be edited
for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Muhammad Basil Ali, Jacquelyn M. Evans, Heidi G. Parker, Jaemin Kim,
Susan Pearce-Kelling, D. Thad Whitaker, Jocelyn Plassais,
Qaiser M. Khan, Elaine A. Ostrander. Genetic analysis of the
modern Australian labradoodle dog breed reveals an excess of
the poodle genome. PLOS Genetics, 2020; 16 (9): e1008956 DOI:
10.1371/journal.pgen.1008956 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200910150330.htm

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