Special Issue: Canine Genetics 2

Wolves were the first animal species to become domesticated by humans, approximately 30,000-50,000 years ago. Human-directed dog breeding over thousands of generations has generated more than 350 recognized breeds displaying surprisingly different phenotypes with respect to morphology, behavior and disease predispositions. The domestication of wolves and the subsequent breeding of dogs can be viewed as one of humankind's oldest and largest genetic experiments and provides us with unique opportunities for research. Dogs have not only become human's best friend but were also described as geneticists' best friend in a past issue of Science. In recognition of the importance of canine genetics, this Special Issue, entitled Canine Genetics 2, was compiled. It represents a sequel to the former Special Issue Canine Genetics, which was published in 2019. During the last 15 years, the canine community has heavily relied on a reference genome derived from the female Boxer Tasha. Canine Genetics 2 includes an article describing a greatly improved version of this important community resource. This Special Issue further contains several reports related to monogenic or complex inherited diseases in dogs. Finally, important aspects of wild canid research, genetic diversity in different populations and canine morphology were investigated.

Automated summary

Wolves were the first animals to be domesticated by humans, and thousands of generations of dog breeding have resulted in more than 350 recognized breeds with distinct morphological, behavioral, and disease predisposition differences. The domestication and breeding of dogs can be seen as a significant genetic experiment for humans, providing unique research opportunities. This special issue, titled Canine Genetics 2, focuses on the importance of canine genetics and includes reports on genetic diseases in dogs, as well as research on wild canids, genetic diversity, and canine morphology.