Body Size / Canine size panel (7 markers) - Dog

What does this test analyse?

This DNA test analyses 7 genetic markers that together contribute to body-size tendency in dogs. The trait is also known as Body Size, canine size, height, withers height, body weight and genetic size variation.

The panel includes markers at or near IGF1-AS, IGF1R, STC2, GHR, HMGA2 and SMAD2. These genes and loci are involved in growth signalling, skeletal development and regulation of body weight and height. They are interpreted together because body size is not a single-gene disorder, but a polygenic and multifactorial trait.

What does this mean for the dog?

Each marker can carry an allele associated with smaller body size. For each marker, a dog can have zero, one or two small-size alleles. The combined score across all 7 markers gives a practical indication of genetic tendency toward larger, intermediate or smaller body size.

Across the studied dog breeds, these 7 markers explained approximately 46-52.5% of body-size variation. Among breeds with a standard weight below 41 kg, this increased to approximately 64.3% of weight variation. This gives the panel much more genetic context than a single marker alone.

Practical value of this test

This test is useful for breeders and owners when body size, height or weight matter for breeding goals, breed variation, crosses or planning within a line. The result makes genetic size tendency visible, also in young dogs or crosses where adult size cannot yet be judged reliably from appearance alone.

• Helps explain size differences within or between lines.
• Supports targeted breeding selection when larger or smaller size is desired.
• Adds context for crosses and young animals whose adult size is still uncertain.
• Makes parent and offspring comparisons more consistent for genetic size tendency.
• The report shows how many small-size alleles are present per marker. Together these results form a score out of 14 small-size alleles.

The result is not an exact prediction in centimetres or kilograms. Breed background, sex, nutrition, health, development and other genetic factors still influence the final adult size.