Genetic diversity analysis of Lithuanian hounds

Abstract

Lithuanian hound is the oldest national dogs breed in Lithuania from Vytautas Magnus times in XIII century. It was almost extinct when Lithuanian cynologist Z. Goštautas recreated this breed with the rest 5 dogs in 1957-1958. Today we have about 600 Lithuanian hounds, but they aren’t accepted by FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale), as it needs at least 1000. Moreover, some of them do not match breed standard. The most important issue is high inbreeding coefficient inside breed (2,09 %), detected in 2008. Analysis of individual genealogy of registered dogs shows high relatedness across individuals and lack of genetic variability inside breed. High relatedness is the consequence of progenies deaths, large receptivity of pathogenic microbes and mammary gland tumors diagnoses. In order to save Lithuanian hound gene pool genetic analysis must be done instead of pairing dogs by exterior. The aim of this study was to investigate genetic structure of Lithuanian hounds. Buccal swab samples were collected from 63 dogs, during National Lithuanian hound exhibition in 2017. DNA was extracted by using silica spin columns and was used for short tandem repeat (STR) analysis. Data obtained during this study correlates with genealogical analysis data and shows lack of genetic variability inside Lithuanian hound breed.