Curl

Quick Summary

A variant in the Keratin-71 gene is associated with curly hair in dogs. Dogs with the curl variant have curly coats or wavy coats depending on how many copies of the variant they possess.

Black Poodle with a curly coat
Poodle with curly coat

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Phenotype: Dogs with the curl variant have curly coats or wavy coats depending on how many copies of the variant they possess.

Mode of Inheritance: Incomplete dominance

Alleles: N = No curl, C = Curl

Breeds appropriate for testing: Many breeds including Airedale Terrier, American Water Spaniel, Australian Labradoodle, Bichon Frise, Boykin Spaniel, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Dachshund, Fox Terrier (Wire-haired), Goldendoodle, Havanese, Irish Water Spaniel, Kerry Blue Terrier, Kuvasz, Labradoodle, Maltese, Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Welsh Terrier, and Crossbreeds

Explanation of Results:

  • Dogs with N/N genotype are expected to have a straight coat. They cannot transmit this curl variant to their offspring.
  • Dogs with N/C genotype are expected to have a wavy coat. They may transmit this curl variant to 50% of their offspring. Matings between two N/C dogs are expected to produce 50% puppies with wavy hair and 25% puppies with curly hair.
  • Dogs with C/C genotype are expected to have a curly coat. They will transmit this curl variant to all of their offspring.

Turnaround Time
At least 15 business days; may be delayed beyond 15 business days if sample requires additional testing, or a new sample is requested.
Price

$55 one test per animal

$75 two tests for coat color/fur type/bobtail (same animal) 

+ $15 each additional test if ordering more than three coat color/fur type/bobtail tests on the same animal

Sample Collection

Dog DNA tests are carried out using cells brushed from your dog's cheeks and gums. The preferred cytology brushes are sent to you by mail, or you may provide your own brushes. For accepted alternative brushes, click here

We recommend waiting until puppies are at least three weeks old before testing.

 

Dog having its cheeks and gums brushed for DNA samples
Cheek and gum brushing technique for canine DNA sample collection

Step-By-Step:

  1. Make sure the dog has not had anything to eat or drink for at least 1 hour prior to collecting sample.
  2. When swabbing puppies, isolate each puppy from the mother, littermates and any shared toys for 1 hour prior to swabbing. Puppies should not have nursed or eaten for 1 hour prior to collecting sample.
  3. If collecting samples from more than one dog, make sure to sample one dog at a time and wash your hands before swabbing another dog.
  4. Label brush sleeve with name or ID of dog to be sampled.
  5. Open brush sleeve by arrow and remove one brush by its handle.
  6. Place bristle head between the dog’s gums and cheek and press lightly on the outside of the cheek while rubbing or rotating the brush back and forth for 15 seconds.
  7. Wave the brush in the air for 20 seconds to air dry.
  8. Insert brush back into sleeve.
  9. Repeat steps 5 - 8 for each unused brush in sleeve on a fresh area of cheek and gums. Make sure to use and return all brushes sent by the VGL. In most cases, it will be 3 brushes per dog. If using interdental gum brushes, please note that the VGL requires 4 brushes per dog and only moderate or wide interdental gum brushes are accepted.
  10. Do not seal brushes in sleeve.
  11. Place all samples in an envelope and return to the address provided.

ATTENTION:

  • Do not collect saliva/drool – the key to obtaining a good sample is getting cheek cells on the swab
  • Do not rub swab on the dog’s tongue or teeth – this will result in poor quality sample
  • Do not collect a sample from a puppy that has recently nursed – the mother’s genetic material can rub off on the puppy’s mouth and contaminate the sample
Additional Details

Yellow Labradoodle with wavy coat
Labradoodle with wavy coat

A variant in the Keratin-71 (KRT71) gene is associated with curly hair in dogs. This variant is likely inherited as an incomplete dominant trait, which means that dogs with two copies of the variant (C/C) have curly coats and dogs with one copy of the variant (N/C) are not curly but have wavy coats.

This test assays the p.Arg151Trp variant in KRT71.

 

Bearded Collie with straight coat
Bearded Collie with straight coat