WASHINGTON (August 27, 2009)--Researchers have discovered that nearly all the differences in the types of coats of purebred dogs result from variations in just three genes.

It's not so much the genes themselves, but how they work together that makes the difference, researchers say.

The researchers studied variations in the DNA of more than 1,000 dogs from 80 breeds and then compared the results to descriptions of various coat types.

The study found that nearly all the differences in coats can be accounted for by combinations of genes called RSPO2, FGF5 and KRT71.

The findings, which appear in the online edition of the journal Science, could have implications for humans.

Dr. Elaine Ostrander of the National Human Genome Research Institute said the same approach to looking at genes could help pinpoint the multiple genes involved in complex human conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and obesity.