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Myostation mutation ("bully"-gene)

General description

Whippets are medium-seized, short-haired greyhounds. A mutation in the Myostatin gene has been found which correlates to higher performance in dog-racing. Dogs that possess one of these “Bully” alleles predominantly appeared in the top-racing-class, while dogs with two “Bully” alleles are extremely muscular, but slower when running. Additionally, those dogs exhibit extraordinary physiques including broader heads, accentuated overbite, short legs and thickish waist. Those features and not their temperament led to the name “Bully” Whippets.

Breeds

Whippet

Order details
Test number8220
Sample material0.5 ml EDTA blood, 2x cheek swab, 1x special swab (eNAT)
Test duration7-14 working days
Test specifications
Symptom complexmuscular
Inheritanceautosomal recessive
Causalitycausally
GeneMSTN
MutationDEL
LiteratureOMIA:000683-9615
Detailed description

Whippets are medium-seized, short-haired greyhounds. A mutation in the Myostatin gene has been found which correlates to higher performance in dog-racing. Dogs that possess one of these “Bully” alleles predominantly appeared in the top-racing-class, while dogs with two “Bully” alleles are extremely muscular, but slower when running. Additionally, those dogs exhibit extraordinary physiques including broader heads, accentuated overbite, short legs and thickish waist. Those features and not their temperament led to the name “Bully” Whippets. The mutation could not be found in other muscular breeds like Boxers or Mastiffs nor in other greyhounds or Afghans.