Instead of grouping dogs by their actual jobs (yawn), I prefer to categorize them by what truly matters—their genetic mutations.
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While many traits are linked to dozens or even hundreds of genes (because nature loves to keep us guessing), coat type?
Surprisingly simple.
Three little genes—FGF5, RSPO2, and KRT71—seem to be the puppeteers behind most of the furry drama we see today.
This suit is slightly misleading in that many curly-haired dogs don’t just have one mutation—they’re rocking an entire genetic mixtape.
Take your Poodle, for example. She’s not just blessed with that magnificent 70’s fro (KRT71), she’s also got length (FGF5) and furnishings (RSPO2). All that extra in one gloriously groomed package.
Same deal with the Bichon Frisé—because why stop at one fabulous trait when you can have three?
But let’s get into some epic coat combos.
So there you have it—a genetic deep dive into the glorious world of canine coats. You can read about the other suits HERE, HERE, and HERE (because science is better when it's bingeable).
But don’t think we’re done. Next up? Form Factor. That’s where we break down the mutations that shape a dog’s entire body, from stocky mastiff builds to everyone’s favorite pocket-sized minis.
And one more thing—YOU get a say in this deck. The Joker cards are still up for grabs, and we’ll be polling you to decide which breeds deserve a last-minute feature.
Sign up to vote, stay updated, and help us make the ultimate breed deck.
Because, even as an academic escapee, my inner science geek lives on.
