DNA analysis shows Brazilian caramel mixed‑breed dogs are genetic mosaics

Researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) examined DNA samples from three caramel‑coloured mixed‑breed dogs – Jenny from São Paulo, Valente from Rio de Janeiro and Frevo from Recife. Using swabs taken from each animal’s gingiva, the laboratory compared the genetic material against thousands of markers that identify ancestry from recognized breeds. The results revealed that each dog carries DNA from dozens of different breeds, with no single breed dominating the genetic makeup. Valente’s genome showed influences from boxer, mini‑American shepherd, Swiss white shepherd, Spanish greyhound, Canary terrier, Brazilian bulldog, and chihuahua, among many others. Frevo displayed markers from Brazilian fila, Mantiqueira shepherd, Dobermann, Parson Russell Terrier, Pumi, Spino degli Iblei and Beauceron. Jenny’s DNA was notable for a sizable proportion of Yorkshire terrier ancestry. Approximately 70‑75 % of each dog’s DNA came from a wide mix of breeds, confirming that the caramel coat does not correspond to a distinct breed lineage.

The study underscores the high genetic diversity of Brazil’s iconic street dogs, challenging visual assumptions about breed origins and highlighting the complex history of canine cross‑breeding across the country.