Every dog has its day, and on July 14, 2004, a boxer named Tasha became the first dog to have her complete genome sequenced. This marked the beginning of a surge in geneticists’ interest in studying dogs and their behavior. In the past two decades, thousands of dogs, including purebreds, mutts, working dogs, village dogs, and ancient canine remains, have been sequenced. Companion animals, once considered frivolous subjects, are now a popular focus of scientific research. Scientists worldwide are studying cats and dogs to understand their relationship with humans, how they perceive the world, and how to improve their longevity. Canine and feline genetic research is especially valuable due to their shared history with humans and susceptibility to various diseases.
