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Genetics in Canines: From Evolution to Conservation
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Genetics in Canines: From Evolution to Conservation

A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Genetics and Genomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 October 2025 | Viewed by 6947

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marco Galaverni

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Science Unit, WWF Italia, Via Po 25c, 00198 Rome, Italy
Interests: conservation; genetics; genomics; adaptation; hybridization; human–wildlife conflict
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Romolo Caniglia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratorio di Genetica, Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Ozzano Dell'emilia, Italy
Interests: population genetics; genomics; hybridization; non-invasive monitoring; forensics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The conservation of wild canines worldwide is at a crossroads: some endangered populations are still struggling to survive, whereas many others are expanding after centuries of decline, presenting the challenge of promoting a sustainable coexistence with human activities. Meanwhile, the correct management of domestic dogs—with genomic advances boosting our comprehension of their evolution, physiology, health, and behavior—is still lagging in many countries, further complicating wild canine conservation through hybridization and competition.

In this context, major advances in genetics and genomic approaches are currently providing unprecedented support in effectively monitoring populations, reconstructing the phylogeny of related species, subspecies, and populations, mapping evolutionarily important genetic variants associated with adaptive variation and behaviors, identifying even subtle traces of hybridization with domestic dogs, and better reconstructing the long history of domestication and its effects on current breeds.

In this Special Issue, we will gather the most up-to-date studies on the genetics and genomics of these focal species from the perspective of evolutionary and conservation. We invite submissions of a wide range of paper types, including research papers, short notes, and reviews.

Dr. Marco Galaverni
Dr. Romolo Caniglia
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Genes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Canis lupus
  • genetics
  • genomics
  • conservation
  • evolution
  • adaptation
  • hybridization
 

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 1707 KiB  
Article
Genetic Variant of the Canine FGF5 Gene for the Hair Length Trait in the Akita: Utility for Hair Coat Variations and Welfare in Conservation Breeding
by Shinichiro Maki, Md Shafiqul Islam, Norio Kansaku, Nanami Arakawa, Akira Yabuki, Tofazzal Md Rakib, Abdullah Al Faruq and Osamu Yamato
Genes 2025, 16(8), 927; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16080927 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 368
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Variations in hair length are observed in many dog breeds, as determined by the canine FGF5 gene. Long-haired Akitas, which are disqualified under breeding standards of Akitas, are sometimes born to short-haired parents and may have been subjected to treatments compromising [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Variations in hair length are observed in many dog breeds, as determined by the canine FGF5 gene. Long-haired Akitas, which are disqualified under breeding standards of Akitas, are sometimes born to short-haired parents and may have been subjected to treatments compromising animal welfare. Here, we aimed to identify an FGF5 variant associated with hair coat variations in Akitas in Japan, and to assess how welfare of this breed can be improved by carefully planned breeding. Methods: DNA samples were obtained from 60 Akitas in 2021 (modern Akitas) and 73 Akitas in the 1970s and the 1980s (classic Akitas). Sanger sequencing was performed on all exons and exon–intron junctions of the FGF5 gene to determine the causative variant of long hair in Akitas. A real-time PCR assay was developed to genotype FGF5:c.578C>T in modern and classic Akitas. Using 54 dogs from modern Akitas, scores (1 to 10) of hair length were compared among the three genotypes (C/C, C/T, and T/T). Results: Sanger sequencing revealed that the canine FGF5:c.578C>T variant was associated with long hair in Akitas in Japan. Genotyping revealed that the frequency of the mutant T allele was 0.350 in modern Akitas, which was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in classic Akitas (0.212). The three genotypes were not in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) in modern Akitas but were in HWE in classic Akitas. There were significant differences in hair length scores among the three genotypes (p < 0.001) and between the C/C and C/T genotypes (p < 0.005). There was no significant difference in the scores between male and female dogs. Conclusions: This study revealed that a causative variant that determines the long hair trait of Akitas in Japan was the FGF5:c.578C>T variant, which was inherited in an incompletely dominant manner. Akita dog breeders were more likely to select heterozygous C/T dogs based on the appearance of the hair coat for breeding dogs with an ideal fluffy hair coat. This might result in a high mutant T allele frequency and the production of undesired long-haired Akitas with T/T, which may create welfare problems. Genetic testing for this variant is necessary to improve welfare and conserve the Akita breed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics in Canines: From Evolution to Conservation)
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14 pages, 1609 KiB  
Article
Genomic Rewilding of Domestic Animals: The Role of Hybridization and Selection in Wolfdog Breeds
by Alžběta Báčová, José Ignacio Lucas Lledó, Kristýna Eliášová, Silvie Neradilová, Astrid Vik Stronen, Romolo Caniglia, Marco Galaverni, Elena Fabbri, Frederica Mattucci, Adam Boyko, Pavel Hulva and Barbora Černá Bolfíková
Genes 2025, 16(1), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010102 - 19 Jan 2025
Viewed by 5181
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The domestication of the grey wolf (Canis lupus) and subsequent creation of modern dog breeds have significantly shaped the genetic landscape of domestic canines. This study investigates the genomic effects of hybridization and breeding management practices in two hybrid [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The domestication of the grey wolf (Canis lupus) and subsequent creation of modern dog breeds have significantly shaped the genetic landscape of domestic canines. This study investigates the genomic effects of hybridization and breeding management practices in two hybrid wolfdog breeds: the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog (CSW) and the Saarloos Wolfdog (SAW). Methods: We analyzed the genomes of 46 CSWs and 20 SAWs, comparing them to 12 German Shepherds (GSHs) and 20 wolves (WLFs), which served as their ancestral populations approximately 70–90 years ago. Results: Our findings highlight that hybridization can increase genetic variability and mitigate the effects of inbreeding, as evidenced by the observed heterozygosity levels in both wolfdog breeds. However, the SAW genome revealed a higher coefficient of inbreeding and longer runs of homozygosity compared to the CSW, reflecting significant inbreeding during its development. Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components and fixation index analyses demonstrate that the CSW exhibits closer genetic proximity to the GSH than the SAW, likely due to differences in the numbers of GSHs used during their creation. Maximum likelihood clustering further confirmed clear genetic differentiation between these hybrid breeds and their respective ancestors, while shared ancestral polymorphism was detectable in all populations. Conclusions: These results highlight the role of controlled hybridization with captive-bred wolves and peculiar breeding strategies in shaping the genetic structure of wolfdog breeds. To ensure the long-term genetic health of these breeds, it is recommended to promote adequate and sustainable breeding practices to maintain genetic diversity, minimize inbreeding, and incorporate the careful selection of unrelated individuals from diverse lineages, while avoiding additional, uncontrolled crossings with wild wolves. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics in Canines: From Evolution to Conservation)
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Review

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22 pages, 864 KiB  
Review
Genetic Regulation of Immune Response in Dogs
by Pablo Barragán-Sánchez, María Teresa Balastegui, Pablo Jesús Marín-García and Lola Llobat
Genes 2025, 16(7), 764; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16070764 - 29 Jun 2025
Viewed by 889
Abstract
The mammalian immune system, including key components such as toll-like receptors (TLRs), lymphocytes, and cytokines, plays a vital role in defending against diseases. In dogs, genetic polymorphisms and epigenetic regulation of immune-related genes contribute to breed-specific differences in susceptibility or resistance to infectious, [...] Read more.
The mammalian immune system, including key components such as toll-like receptors (TLRs), lymphocytes, and cytokines, plays a vital role in defending against diseases. In dogs, genetic polymorphisms and epigenetic regulation of immune-related genes contribute to breed-specific differences in susceptibility or resistance to infectious, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases. Cytokines, essential for immune cell differentiation and activation, exhibit variable expression among breeds due to genetic factors like single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and miRNA regulation. This variability influences immune responses not only to infections but also to chronic inflammatory conditions and cancer, providing insights for improved diagnosis, treatment, and breeding. Selective breeding has further shaped diverse immune phenotypes across breeds, especially through genetic variations in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region, which affect vulnerability to immune-mediated and immunodeficiency disorders. Recent studies emphasize the role of specific miRNAs in modulating immune responses during parasitic and viral infections, opening new avenues for precision veterinary medicine and immunotherapy. This review highlights the genetic and epigenetic regulation of immune genes in dogs and explores their potential applications in advancing veterinary diagnostics, therapeutics, and breeding strategies to enhance canine health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics in Canines: From Evolution to Conservation)
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