The Korean Jindo dog is a well-known dog breed originating on Jindo Island off Korea’s southwestern coast. As a important part of Korean’s heritage, Jindo is known for its distinctive appearance. But how can dogs belonging to the same breed have different coat colours, body sizes, and other physical traits? The answer depends on their DNA, where genetic differences reveal a story about evolution.
A dog’s coat colour is influenced by genes that control the production and distribution of pigments in its fur. A study analysed the genomes of 113 Korean Jindo dogs with five different coat-colour patterns and identified variations in three pigmentation-related genes: CBD103, ASIP, and MC1R (Kang et al. 2025). These findings show how differences in DNA contribute to the physical diversity found within a single breed.
In addition, genetic variation can also influence a dog’s physical characteristics. Researchers investigated the genetic basis of height, body length, the ratio of body length to height, and body weight in Jindo dogs. By analysing genetic markers across the genome, they identified genes potentially associated with these physical traits (Sheet et al. 2021). This shows that differences in genes can affect a dog’s physical traits, but these traits can also be influenced by other genes and environmental factors.
DNA can also reveal the history of dog populations. Researchers analysed whole-genome data from 205 canids to examine the relationships between native Korean dogs and other Asian dog populations. The results showed that Jindos are genetically related to several dog populations in East and Southeast Asia. The researchers also compared genetic diversity among different native and modern dog breeds. These comparisons helped scientists understand how the ancestry, population history, and breeding practices of different breeds may influence their genetic diversity (Ahn et al. 2023).
Genetic variation can influence more than just the dog’s appearance by affecting its health. Researchers investigated genetic variants associated with inherited conditions in three native Korean dog breeds, including Jindos. This research highlights how studying DNA can help scientists identify mutations linked to certain health conditions and better understand the genetic health of native dog breeds (Kang et al. 2025b). However, carrying a particular genetic variant does not necessarily mean that a dog will develop the associated condition.
Studying Jindo dogs shows how genetic differences can change over generations and contribute to evolution. Mutations introduce new genetic variations, while genetic drift and selective breeding can change how common these variations become. This shows that evolution is not just about species changing over time. By studying differences within one breed, scientists can learn more about its ancestry and inherited traits. A Jindo’s appearance may easily be noticed, but its DNA reveals a much deeper history.
References:
Ahn, Byeongyong, Mingue Kang, Hyoim Jeon, Jong-Seok Kim, Hao Jiang, Jihong Ha, and Chankyu Park. 2023. “Origin and Population Structure of Native Dog Breeds in the Korean Peninsula and East Asia.” iScience 26 (6): 106982.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.106982.
Kang, Dayeon, Woncheoul Park, Miju Kim, Young-Jo Lim, Jong-Seok Kim, Seok-Il Oh, Jocelyn Plassais, Jaemin Kim, and Bong-Hwan Choi. 2025a. “Deep Sequencing of Korean Jindo Dog Reveals Evolutionary Trajectory of Coat Color Variations.” Genomics 117 (3): 111032. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygeno.2025.111032.
Kang, Mingue, Byeongyong Ahn, Jaeyeol Shin, and Chankyu Park. 2025b. “PCR-Based Detection of Hereditary Mutations in SLC2A9, BTBD17, and NECAP1 among Native Korean Dog Breeds.” Journal of Veterinary Science 26 (4): e48. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.25047.
Sheet, Sunirmal, Jong-Seok Kim, Min-Jeong Ko, Na-Yeon Kim, Young-Jo Lim, Mi-Rim Park, Seung-Jin Lee, Jeong-Min Kim, Seok-Il Oh, and Bong-Hwan Choi. 2021. “Insight into the Candidate Genes and Enriched Pathways Associated with Height, Length, Length to Height Ratio and Body-Weight of Korean Indigenous Breed, Jindo Dog Using Gene Set Enrichment-Based GWAS Analysis.” Animals 11 (11): 3136. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113136.
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