The dog: A powerful model for studying genotype-phenotype relationships

Within the last two years, series of studies have focused on the structure of the dog genome (Canis familiaris) and the characteristics of the dog population as it evolved since being domesticated from wolves about 14,000 years ago. In this review, we explain why the dog is a unique and promising model for determining genotype/phenotype relationships and why it should be easier with this model to identify the genes responsible for many genetic diseases. We also revisit the last ten years of developments in canine molecular genetics that culminated in the release of the entire genome sequence.