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Belgian Shepherd

Belgian Shepherd genetic profile from the CanVAS Atlas. 136 dogs in the Atlas, heterozygosity 0.33. Nearest relatives, trait loci frequencies, cohort distribution.

What the atlas says about Belgian Shepherd

In the atlas, the Belgian Shepherd clusters consistently as Belgian Shepherd (100% of the 136 dogs here). Genetic diversity is high (mean heterozygosity 0.3323), reflecting either a mixed-breed cluster or breeds with broad genetic backgrounds. At the trait loci, HMGA2 runs lower than average (4% here vs 56%); LCORL runs lower than average (45% here vs 83%).

Mean heterozygosity is 0.332, notably high, indicates broad genetic background.

Closest genetic neighbors in the atlas: village dog Honduras, village dog Peru Cusco, village dog Dominican Republic, village dog Peru Arequipa, and Belgian Sheepdog.

Median lifespan is 12.9 years, slightly longer than expected for the breed size (25.0 kg).

Genetic dimensions · CanVAS atlas

What the genome says about Belgian Shepherd

Computed from the 14,478 research dogs in the Atlas. Methods: technical methodology.

Dogs in the Atlas
136Founders
124 from Momozawa, 12 from Cairns
Genetic diversity
0.33Moderate
Mean heterozygosity across the breed. Ranks 79th most genetically tight of 107 ranked breeds.
Cluster structure
Splits into two genetic sub-populations
Intra-breed RMS distance: 26.70 · likely working/show-line, regional, or kennel lineage split.
Nearest genetic relatives
  1. Village Dog Honduras5.68
  2. Village Dog Peru Cusco5.74
  3. Village Dog Dominican Republic6.33
  4. Village Dog Peru Arequipa6.72
  5. Belgian Sheepdog6.89
Top-10 PC corrected Euclidean. Lower = closer.
Trait genetics
Allele frequencies at named morphology loci

Frequency of the alternate allele in this breed at each locus's representative SNP. Methods + caveats in technical methodology.

Body size
IGF126%
HMGA24%
SMAD285%
LCORL45%
STC282%
ADAMTS1770%
Leg length
FGF4·CFA1875%
FGF4·CFA1289%
Coat
RSPO236%
FGF561%
KRT7197%
MC1R59%
Ear set
MSRB396%
Skull shape
BMP375%
SMOC279%
Add your Belgian Shepherd to the Atlas

You can add your Belgian Shepherd right now at /add/ as a Charted star. Or, if you'd rather wait for DNA uploads, leave your email and we'll let you know the moment those open.

Last updated
Sources: CanVAS (Brundage 2026) · CanVAS dimensions data