Hairlessness

Genetic testing of the SGK3 gene can determine whether a dog is a genetic carrier of the hairlessness trait. Hairlessness is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning that a dog must inherit two copies of the mutated gene (one from each parent) to exhibit the hairless phenotype. Dogs that inherit only one copy of the mutated gene are carriers and do not show signs of hairlessness, but they can pass the mutation to their offspring. When two carriers are bred, each puppy has a 25% chance of being hairless and a 50% chance of being a carrier of the mutation.

Genetic testing for hairlessness involves screening for mutations in the SGK3 gene, which is associated with this trait. Hairlessness caused by SGK3 is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning a dog must inherit two copies of the variant gene, one from each parent, to exhibit hairlessness. Dogs with only one copy of the variant are carriers and typically do not show hairlessness themselves but can pass the mutation to their offspring. When two carriers are bred, each puppy has a 25% chance of being hairless, a 50% chance of being a carrier, and a 25% chance of being unaffected. Genetic testing allows for informed breeding decisions to select for or against hairlessness in terriers