Hereditary Traits and Diseases in Companion Animals

A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Genetics and Genomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 December 2025 | Viewed by 25

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort (Alfort National School of Veterinary Medicine), Maisons-Alfort, France
2. U955–IMRB, Team 10–Biology of the neuromuscular system, Inserm, UPEC, EFS, EnvA, Maisons-Alfort, France
Interests: canine genetics; animal genetics; animal breeding; animal models
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
1. VetAgro Sup (Lyon National School of Veterinary Medicine), Lyon, France
2. INMG (Institut NeuroMyogène), CNRS UMR 5310—INSERM U1217—UCBL1-Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
Interests: feline genetics; animal genetics; animal breeding; animal models
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The domestication, breed development, and selective breeding of companion animals have created unique populations with diverse and well-documented phenotypes. Dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, and other companion species offer exceptional models for exploring the genetic basis of morphology, behavior, and diseases. Studying hereditary traits in these animals not only supports responsible breeding practices that integrate health and welfare but also contributes to biomedical research and comparative genetics.

Spontaneous hereditary diseases in companion animals often mirror those in humans, providing highly valuable models for understanding pathophysiological mechanisms and developing therapeutic strategies in various medical fields. Characterizing the genetic determinism of these traits also facilitates the development of molecular tools for reasoned selection, balancing morphology and behavior with health-related concerns.

This Special Issue aims to gather original research articles and critical reviews that address all aspects of hereditary traits and diseases in companion animals. We welcome contributions across a range of disciplines, including, but not limited to, behavioral genetics, inherited disorders, cancer genetics, and traits of breeding interest such as coat color and texture, morphology, and reproductive characteristics.

By highlighting advances in the genetics of companion animals, this Special Issue seeks to enhance both animal health and our understanding of shared biological mechanisms between species.

Dr. Lucie Chevallier
Prof. Dr. Marie Abitbol
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Genes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • genetic traits
  • hereditary diseases
  • companion animals
  • spontaneous disease models
  • veterinary genetics
  • genetic selection
  • breed-specific diseases

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Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
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