Test Detail

Panel of canine coat traits that reports hair length (FGF5 gene) and curly or straight type (KRT71 gene). It is not a disease test: it describes the likely phenotype and helps predict litters. The long-hair allele of FGF5 is recessive; the KRT71 genotype contributes to the curly coat. The panel does not include the RSPO2 gene (furnishings and improper coat).

Multi-breed panel; its usefulness is limited in breeds with a fixed coat and no expected variation (e.g. Vizsla or Rottweiler). It is not appropriate to speak of disease frequency, as this is a morphological trait.

- Interpret the result as a coat prediction, not as a health test.
- Use the FGF5 genotype to predict the proportion of long-haired or short-haired offspring.
- Use the KRT71 genotype to predict the curly or straight coat.
- Compare the prediction with the breed standard and breed variability; do not select on coat alone.
- Do not confuse 'long hair' with 'improper coat': the latter depends on RSPO2 and is not assessed in this panel.

The coat phenotype results from the interaction of several genes: FGF5 largely explains length, KRT71 curliness and RSPO2 the 'furnishings' or 'improper coat'. Interpret the result together with the breed standard and not as a disease test. In breeds with a fixed coat the panel provides little information.

1. Cadieu E, Neff MW, Quignon P, et al. 2009. Coat variation in the domestic dog is governed by variants in three genes (Science) (PMID 19713490).
2. OMIA:000439-9615 (Hair, long; FGF5).
3. OMIA:000245-9615 (Curly coat; KRT71).
4. OMIA:001531-9615 (Furnishings, moustache and eyebrows; RSPO2).