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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

AlphaDogDNA

Know your Dog
Down to the DNA
Dog science for dog people by dog people. AlphaDogDNA: Dog DNA in a way you have never seen or experienced.

This platform will not only provide extensive DNA analytics but information on behavior, health, performance & more

04/16/2026

We’re spending some time cleaning out the kennels, putting things back in place. New orders are not being accepted at this time...Stay tuned for more details.

04/13/2026

Genetic Diversity Matters More Than You Think…

High coefficient of inbreeding (COI) correlates with:
• Increased disease risk
• Reduced fertility
• Smaller litter sizes
• Shortened lifespan

Genetic diversity isn’t just a pedigree metric. It’s a measurable biological safeguard. Modern DNA analysis allows breeders to move beyond guesswork and quantify diversity.

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04/09/2026

The Silent Risk in Breeding Programs? Autosomal recessive disorders.

Autosomal recessive disorders require two copies of a mutation.

That means:
• Carriers are clinically normal.
• Two carriers bred together → 25% affected offspring (on average).

Without testing, these variants can remain hidden for generations. Strategic pairing prevents disease expression while maintaining genetic diversity.

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04/06/2026

Not all dogs with a variant show symptoms!

Two dogs. Same mutation. Different outcomes.

Why?

Because gene expression depends on:
• Penetrance (likelihood a gene will manifest)
• Variable expressivity (severity differences)
• Modifier genes
• Environment & epigenetics

Genomics is probabilistic, not deterministic. The future of canine healthcare lies in interpreting risk with clinical context.

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04/02/2026

DNA is the biological instruction manual that makes each dog unique!

Canine genetics explains how traits like coat color, behavior tendencies, and health predispositions are passed down through generations. Screen 500+ genetic traits in one test, only available at AlphaDogDNA.com

03/30/2026

A genetic variant is not automatically a diagnosis.

In canine genetics, we distinguish between:
• Causative mutations (directly responsible for disease expression)
• Risk-associated markers (increase probability, not certainty)
• Carrier states (one copy, typically asymptomatic)

Understanding inheritance patterns (autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant, incomplete dominance), is critical for responsible breeding decisions.

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03/26/2026

The FGF5 gene continues to reveal just how powerful a single pathway can be in shaping coat length and texture across species!

The AlphaDog DNA team has identified four newly discovered long-hair variants in the FGF5 gene, three in Tibetan Mastiffs and one in a mixed-breed dog. These discoveries increase the number of known FGF5 long-hair variants in dogs from five to nine, deepening our understanding of canine coat genetics and breed diversity.

FGF5 is a cornerstone gene for hair growth biology, with implications spanning animal health, evolutionary research, and advanced genomic innovation.

Read the official paper here: https://www.mdpi.com/3740540

03/23/2026

Build-A-Dog is an innovative, science-backed genetic simulation tool that allows breeders and owners to visualize potential breeding outcomes of dog pairings.

By combining your dog's real genetic results with advanced technology, this tool calculates potential genetic inbreeding coefficient outcomes and potential health risks/diseases, to provide users with a deeper understanding of dog genetics and breeding. Additional trait predictions will be added soon!

Build-A-Dog is still in beta testing mode. Dogs must be public to be searchable in Build-A-Dog.

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03/19/2026

What are Somatic Mutations?

Not all mutations are inherited. Some occur in individual cells, and are called somatic mutations.

Somatic mutations:
• Arise after conception
• Occur in specific tissues or cell lines
• Are not passed to future generations
• Can accumulate with age

These mutations often result from:
• Normal DNA replication errors
• Environmental exposures
• Inflammation
• Cellular stress

Why does this matter?

1. Somatic mutations are a major driver of cancer development. As cells divide, small genetic errors can accumulate. If those changes affect genes controlling cell growth or repair, abnormal proliferation can occur. A predisposition to cancer can be inherited. But, the cancer itself typically arises from somatic mutations and is not passed to the next generation. For breeders and veterinarians, this distinction prevents incorrect assumptions about lineage responsibility.
2. Somatic mutations can also affect pigment. If a pigment mutation occurs early in embryonic development, a patch of cells may carry a different genotype than the rest of the body. As those cells divide, they create visible patches of different color.
Somatic mutations affecting pigment can appear as:
• Black patches on recessive red dogs like Golden Retrievers or Labradors
• Large solid areas in merle-patterned dogs
• Genetic test results showing three or more alleles at a locus
Genetics do not only shape what is passed down. They also shape what happens over a lifetime!

Although we do not screen for somatic mutations, we DO screen germline mutations. Discover 500+ traits for health, performance, appearance, ancestry, and more at AlphaDogDNA.com

03/16/2026

Jenn Doughty of PhogHaven Cane Corso (AKC Bronze Breeder of Merit) shares with us how she uses AlphaDogDNA genetic testing in her breeding program:

“AlphaDog DNA has the most comprehensive canine DNA products on the market with insights into genetic markers, genetic COI, ancestry, and even behaviors. The results are fast, comprehensive, and accurate. When reaching out to work with the company to add newly identified breed specific tests, they have been very helpful and supportive in validating the markers and getting them added to their tests quickly. Additionally, as new markers are identified, they are able and willing to update reports for dogs already tested with them to include the most recent information which is incredibly useful to breeding stock assessments, particularly for dogs who have already passed and can't simply be tested again. Overall, this is a great product, at a great price point, with excellent customer service.

As a long time breeder, exhibitor, and owner – I am very happy with the entire AlphaDog DNA product, team, and support. If you are looking to elevate a breeding program and support future genetic research and insights, this is the team to support!”

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03/12/2026

Do you have a pup that is sensitive to the cold weather? Bundle up with the Horseware® Rambo Waterproof 100g Dog Blanket!

Login & Explore “The Marketplace” by AlphaDogDNA for product recommendations based on your dog's genetics.

Shop now at AlphaDogDNA.com 🐶🧬

Address

405 El Camino Real, #234
Menlo Park, CA
94025

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16502754500

Website

https://alphadogdna.com/

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