The most common reason dogs end up in pounds is excessive barking so the technology will enable dog buyers to check if their prospective pooch has the Huntaway barking gene.
“The idea is to be able to pick out the gene that influences barking but you never really know.
“We hope it is one gene having a big effect and not a number of genes with multiple effects.”
Alexander is seeking DNA and other details from about 50 Huntaways with the samples sent to the lead researcher, New Zealand scientist Jessica Hayward who works at Cornell University in New York.
Those samples will be tested against a large DNA dog data base held by US company Embark to single out the barking gene or genes.
Alexander said Huntaways are a distinctive breed originating from NZ and one of the few bred specifically to bark.
“It originated here, which is quite a cool story.”
Aiding the research is the enthusiasm of Huntaway breeders and their extensive breeding records.
They are being asked to take a saliva sample and fill in a questionnaire on other dog attributes.
Alexander said heading dogs are not recognised as their own breed, originating from border collies on which there is a data set.
Researchers expect to know early next year if they have discovered the barking gene.
