Hair Length (DNA marker tested FGF5)

Five recessive variants in the fibroblast growth factor-5 (FGF5) gene are associated with long hair phenotypes in dogs.

Phenotype: Long hair. Some breeds are strictly short-haired (e.g. Beagles); some have both short- and long-haired individuals (e.g. Dachshunds); other breeds are characterized by long hair (e.g. Afghan Hounds).

Mode of Inheritance: Autosomal recessive

Alleles: S = Short hair, L* = Long hair (five variants)

• Dogs with S/S genotype are expected to have short hair. They cannot transmit any of these long hair variants to their offspring.
• Dogs with S/L* genotype are expected to have short hair and are carriers of a long hair variant. They will transmit their long hair variant to 50% of their offspring. Matings between two carriers of a long hair variant are expected to produce 25% puppies with long hair.
• Dogs with L*/L* genotype are expected to have long hair. They will transmit their long hair variant to all of their offspring

Possible Test Results :

• S/S (Short Hair)
• S/L (Long Hair Carrier)
• L/L (Long Hair)