What Fidome is:
The breeds featured in our upcoming decks represent a snapshot of dogs documented to carry specific mutations. But genetics is rarely so tidy. Most traits are the result of a genetic committee—several genes (sometimes dozens or even hundreds) working together to create the floofy, muscly, or pint-sized marvel sitting at your feet. The decks are a highlight reel of the genes we currently know that influence your dog’s looks.
Fidome consists of two decks - Coat Check and Form Factor. Coat Check features breeds with genetic mutations affecting the coat, and Form Factor features conditions that lead to structural outcomes (think dwarfism or short muzzles). Hearts and diamonds in Coat Check are rendered in gold, and in Form Factor, they’re a muted blue—no red in sight. The decks feature colors dogs can actually see - a nod to the way they navigate the world while adding a unique flair to the decks.
Even if your dog doesn't give a fluff about playing cards, we think your inner nerd will appreciate the attention to detail.
What Fidome is not:
Let’s get this out of the way: Fidome is all about the visible stuff—size, coat type, muscle tone, and other physical traits. If you were hoping for a guide to doggie IQ scores or which gene makes your pup steal your snacks, this isn’t it.
While there’s plenty of interest in genes tied to temperament, aggression, and intelligence, unraveling those mysteries is like trying to untangle a box of holiday lights—complicated, frustrating, and possibly cursed. Brain-related traits are influenced by a staggering number of genes, not to mention environmental factors like diet, training, and whether your dog gets belly rubs on demand. All that adds up to a psychological puzzle that even genetics hasn’t fully cracked yet.
So, no, this deck won’t help you understand why your dog insists on barking at the vacuum or ignores you until food is involved.
Facts | Not Feelings
Every breed in these decks has earned its place through peer-reviewed science.
Sure, there are more long-haired and mustachioed breeds out there than I could fit in these decks, but the ones that made the cut share one important trait: their mutations are officially documented. Even if it’s buried in a single research paper, these genetic quirks are backed by science. It also means some popular favorites are notably absent. That's also because of science, or rather, the lack thereof.
The Seven Conditions That Shape the Decks
Through this process, I realized there were enough breeds to create suits for seven specific mutations or conditions:
- Long coats
- Furnished coats (the fancy eyebrows, mustaches, and beards)
- Curly coats
- Muscle bulk
- Dwarfism
- Short muzzles (brachycephaly)
- Miniature size
Together, there are 85 breeds spread across the two decks. A few lucky dogs made it into both because some are blessed with tons of mutations (looking at you Shih Tzu).
This is the reason for two decks instead of just one.
Enter the 8th Suit: The "Unmutated" Underdogs
Then came the dilemma of the 8th suit. Some breeds are completely and utterly overrepresented in the literature — from short-muzzled, long-haired dwarfs (e.g. Pekingese), to breeds that have every single coat mutation known to man (e.g. Poodle).
You get the picture.
Finding enough unique breeds to fill every slot was a challenge, especially when I wanted to include some popular favorites.
Enter the spades in the Coat Check deck, featuring breeds with short coats and no known coat mutations. These dogs might not have the drama of curls or the flair of furnishings, but they’ve earned their place as the genetic control group in some studies. Plus, including them lets me keep the decks grounded in science while expanding the lineup to 85 breeds across both decks.
How to Read a Fidome Card
Each card represents a single breed, but it’s meant to be read as part of a larger genetic system.
Every card highlights one documented gene (BMP3 in this case), the chromosome it lives on (Canis familiaris (CFA), chromosome 32), and the resulting phenotype — what the dog actually looks like. Here, that means a shortened muzzle.
You’ll also see small references to other suits the breed could belong to. Some breeds, like the Shih Tzu shown here, have more documented mutations than you can shake a stick at. Others… not so much.
REMEMBER:
The science embedded in the decks is there only if you're interested. There's zero obligation to study it, and you do not need any kind of science background to use the cards. They are, at their core, simple playing cards.
A-G
Allele
An allele is two or more versions of the same gene. For a given gene, an individual inherits one allele from their mother and one from their father. It’s the ultimate genetic hand-me-down, whether you wanted it or not.
Amino Acid
Amino acids are building blocks that, in a multitude of combinations, make up the proteins that make up components in cells. There are roughly 20 amino acids.
The ability of a protein to function properly is dependent on its shape. The shape of a protein is determined by the precise order of amino acids. If the order is incorrect, the protein might function differently—or stage a quiet rebellion and stop working altogether.
Chromosome
A chromosome consists of a long chain of DNA, along with stabilizing proteins. The chain may be millions of nucleotides long and contain hundreds of genes. They exist in pairs, with one set of chromosomes from the mother and one from the father. Dogs have 39 pairs of chromosomes. Humans have 23. Who’s more complicated now?
DNA
DNA—Deoxyribonucleic acid—is made up of two strands that twist around each other to form a long ladder (called a double helix). The ladder is made up of four types of nucleotides—A, T, C & G.
Think of DNA as the ultimate micromanager—it holds the instructions for everything.
Dominant Traits
An individual inherits two versions (alleles) from their parents. In this case, only one copy of the allele is required for the trait to be expressed. The other allele (the recessive allele) is basically benched. Dominant alleles: the drama queens of genetics.
Gene
A gene is a stretch of DNA that codes for a protein. The code is made up of a unique sequence of A’s, T’s, C’s, and G’s. Proteins interact with each other (and other chemicals) to make up the cells and, ultimately, organs that make up the body.
Dogs (and humans) are believed to have approximately 20,000 genes. That’s a lot of code to unravel.
Genome
The genome is the entire set of genes found within a cell. All of these genes are what make all dogs (and you and I) unique. A dog’s genome is contained in 39 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 78.
Think of it as the dog’s personalized instruction manual.
Genotype
The genotype refers to an organism’s genome—the sequence of the two alleles inherited for a specific gene. It’s the behind-the-scenes version of your DNA; the phenotype is the part that gets all the glory.
H-Z
Heterozygous
Being heterozygous means you possess two different alleles for a specific gene. Think of it as genetic diversity’s way of keeping things interesting.
Homozygous
Being homozygous meant you possess two identical alleles for a specific gene. The genetic equivalent of matching socks.
Mutation
A mutation is a change that occurs in a DNA sequence—either through errors in DNA replication or environmental factors.
Some mutations are harmless and some can cause serious problems.
Phenotype
A phenotype refers to an individual’s observable traits—coat length, size, muscle mass, muzzle length, etc.—determined both by genes and environment. The genotype writes the script, but the phenotype steals the show.
Protein
Proteins are large complex structures made up of varying combinations of amino acids. They’re responsible for many functions within cells and are required for the proper structure and function of the body’s organs.
Basically, proteins are the multitasking overachievers of biology.
Recessive
An individual inherits two versions (alleles) from their parents. In this case, both copies of the allele are required for the trait to be expressed. Recessive traits are the wallflowers of genetics—hanging out quietly until two of them decide to team up.
Retrogene
A retrogene is a copy of a gene.
Normally, DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is translated into protein. The final protein fulfills a specific function.
But, occasionally, things don’t go quite as planned. RNA is converted (reverse transcribed) back into DNA, creating an extra copy of a gene. It’s like cloning but with more chaos.
RNA
If DNA is the recipe book, RNA (ribonucleic acid) is the harried sous-chef—shuttling recipes outside the nucleus to be “baked” into proteins in the ribosome kitchen. It’s like DNA but single-stranded, with ribose sugar instead of deoxyribose.
DNA makes RNA. RNA makes protein. Protein makes everything work. Simple enough, right?
SNPs
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (pronounced “snips”) are nucleotide substitutions—where a single nucleotide is exchanged for another.
To qualify as a SNP, the substitution must occur in at least 1% of the population.
Basically, SNPs are genetic quirks that go mainstream.
MUSCLE BULK: IRS4, ACSL4 & IGSF1
Plassais et al., 2017
MINIATURE: Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF1)
Plassais et al., 2022
Rimbault et al., 2013
SHORT MUZZLE: BMP3 & SMOC2
Marchant et al., 2017
Schoenebeck et al., 2012
DWARFISM: Fibroblast Growth Factor 4 (FGF4)
Bannasch et al., 2022
Batcher et al., 2020
Brown et al., 2017
Parker et al., 2009
What is Fidome?
Fidome is a pair of playing-card–style decks that group dog breeds by documented genetic mutations — not jobs, personalities, or aesthetics. Think structure, coat, and form… backed by real science.
Do I need a science background to use or enjoy this deck?
Nope.
You can enjoy Fidome visually, conceptually, or casually — like any card deck.
If you do like to geek out, we’ve included references and definitions you can explore at your own pace.
Is this a game?
Nope.
Fidome decks are, by all accounts, standard playing card decks.
However, you can think of them as a collectible, educational resource...but only if you want to.
Why isn’t my favorite breed included?
The two decks only include breeds with documented, peer-reviewed genetic mutations relevant to each deck’s theme.
Some very popular breeds simply don’t (yet) have enough published data to place them accurately.
Are these decks meant for breeders or professionals only?
Not at all — but breeders, trainers, veterinary staff, and science nerds will definitely appreciate the nerdery.
If you’ve ever said “I just think this stuff is cool,” you’re probably in the right place.
Why are there two decks?
Each deck explores a different genetic lens:
Coat Check — breeds grouped by coat-related mutations
Form Factor — breeds grouped by structural and skeletal traits
Each deck is independent of the other and, once they're available for purchase, you'll be able to purchase one or both.
Are the decks limited edition?
Yes — at least for now.
Fidome will be produced in small batches, for pre-order only. Reprints will be driven by actual interest, not artificial scarcity.
Will there be expansions or future editions?
Possibly.
Fidome is designed as a modular system, which means future decks, expansions, or companion pieces are absolutely on the table — if there’s demand.
Is Fidome part of Bark & Bone?
Yes — but it also stands on its own.
Fidome sits at the intersection of dog culture, anatomy, and science, and may evolve into its own ecosystem over time.
