How to Build a Dog

{ Photographs by Robert Clark for National Geographic }

This month National Geographic features a cover article about dogs by Evan Ratliff, entitled How to Build a Dog. The article displays images of a few of last year's Westminster Kennel Club show contestants by photographer Robert Clark, and discusses the value of studying modern dog genetics. By examining the genetic traits of different breeds -- created for better or for worse by human tinkering -- we are able to understand how gene patterns come together to produce different traits (physical, behavioural) and disorders in all animals, including humans. The article explains that through looking at the genetics of dogs, researchers are able to identify that specific traits and disorders are caused by unique combinations of genes. In other words, a disease or disorder is activated by a complex mixture of many genetic factors, rather than by the presence of "one gene." The author notes that dog breeders have the bulk of the fieldwork and record keeping to date, which shows that there are many responsible dog breeders out there. All around, it is a thought-provoking article.