The domestic dog has recently gained recognition in the popular arena of genomewide association studies (GWAS). Dozens of new GWAS studies have been released in the 3 years since the first high-density canine SNP (single nuclear polymorphism) chip was made available. Many of these studies used fewer than 100 dogs, yet they successfully identified associated loci and often discovered the causative mutations contributing to disease, morphology and behavioural disorders. The draw of the dog stems in large part from the unique history and population structure maintained in the species and the promise of reduced genetic complexity based on the same. While other domestic animals are also maintained as breeds, the dog has nearly 400 breeds recognized worldwide; no other species has such a vast number of highly differentiated subpopulations.

1. Animal roles 319
2. Cocker Spaniel 2
3. Disease 247
4. Labrador Retriever 19
5. Pets and companion animals 2468
6. United States of America 1813