Download Evaluation Guide for Dog Phenotypes

3. Does the dog have long or short legs? (Single gene)
• Legs are about as long as the overall body length (wild type seen in
most dogs)
• Legs are much shorter that overall body length (Dachshunds, basset
hounds)
Foreshortened limbs in dogs is a form of chondroplastic dwarfism. It is the
result of an autosomal dominant allele, specifically an expressed FGF-4
retrogene. (Parker, 2009)
This is a comparison of long versus short legs. The Beagle (1) has long legs
whereas the Daschund (2) has foreshortened legs.
4. What is the coat structure and texture?
• Overall hair length on back and ribs: short vs. long (Single gene)
• Hair texture: flat (also called smooth), fluffy, or wiry (Single gene)
• Undercoat (soft hairs beneath a heavier topcoat): present or absent
• Hair is straight versus curly (Single gene)
Coat length is controlled by FGF5, while coat texture is controlled by Rspondin 2 and keratin-71 (Cadieu, 2009).