Geneticists have succeeded in mapping the complete genome of a dog. Such knowledge can be utilised in developing treatments for diseases shared by humans, such as diabetes, epilepsy and cancer. Breeders will also be able to check the purity of pedigrees through a cheek swab analysis.Previously, only 80% of the genome of a poodle was the extent of gene mapping in dogs. However, the success was in completing the genome of a boxer breed. The large correlation between human and dog genes evidences many similarities in diseases, but these are much more easily identifiable in dogs. Human disease may be represented by as many as a dozen gene mutations; highly challenging to isolate. Alternatively, dogs may carry the same disease from only one gene mutation. Therefore, the ease in identifying a desired gene, especially in comparison to humans, renders the genome of a dog as a viable tool for the management of human shared diseases.
Reference: http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2006/0704-doggy_genes.htm
