DNA in Action – Form Follows Function for the 21st Century

DNA in Action – Form Follows Function for the 21st Century

Most purebred dog breeders, judges, and exhibitors are familiar with the phrase, “Form Follows Function.” This often-repeated motto has long been associated with the purebred dog’s ability to perform the prescribed function(s) of its breed. The implied message is that if a dog is of the form (both physically and temperamentally) that aligns with its written Breed Standard, it should be capable of performing as the breed was originally intended. Of course, this assumes the dog has been given the appropriate socialization and training as well as the opportunity to demonstrate its breed-specific purpose. All things being equal, form and function remain defining characteristics of every recognized breed today.

Interestingly, the phrase widely used by dog people is borrowed from a leading 19th century Chicago architect who is considered the father of the modern skyscraper. “Form (ever) Follows Function” is how Louis Sullivan approached his profession at a time when old sensibilities were being challenged by emerging technologies and massive social changes. (Sound familiar?) In a very real way, Sullivan’s philosophic catchphrase all but defined the world of the 20th century which experienced unprecedented change in both the public and private sectors. In its broadest sense, the “modernism” that defines the period allowed for the development of the sport of purebred dogs just as it produced the skylines of America’s cities. Is it any wonder why Form Follows Function became the rallying cry for both breeders and builders?

Recently, I had a conversation with a breeder/exhibitor friend which helped me realize how we are currently experiencing an entirely new era—and it might well be time to embrace an updated mantra for the 21st century that better defines our collective roles as breed preservationists and contemporary competitors.

My friend had just returned from a retriever hunt test where she’d watched Labs and Goldens and Chessies exercise their instincts and training on land and in water. Since her experience was introductory, my friend shared how incredible it was to watch the dogs as they responded to both the environmental challenges and the direction of their handlers. As she described the level of performance she’d witnessed, she exclaimed, “It was DNA in action!” And there it was—a bold new expression that speaks to the sport of dogs as it exists today.

Form Follows Function and DNA in Action are both philosophies to represent how the purpose of something can be predicted by its physical manifestation. Tall buildings, for example, can accommodate businesses on the street, offices at mid-level, and residential units on the upper floors. Public spaces might even be available through observation decks or below-grade promenades. Similarly, a retriever will possess a weather-resistant coat along with a powerful muzzle, reliable feet, and a useful tail. One look at the Empire State Building or a Flat-Coated Retriever and both should be easily understood. The New York City landmark represents the Art Deco style and a soaring spirit. The distinctive silhouette of the Flat-Coat, on the other hand, displays both versatility and utility, plus “power without lumber and raciness without weediness.” It is inconceivable to mistake a skyscraper for an airport terminal, or a retriever for a dependable livestock guardian dog.

DNA in Action, as a philosophy, takes Form Follows Function to the next level. The new slogan not only embraces that which can be seen (head, body, movement), it also incorporates information gathered through recent scientific discoveries.

In 2005, when an international research team led by scientists at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University announced the completion of the genome sequence of the domestic dog, our understanding of what constitutes a specific breed was forever transformed. Today, recognized breeds are acknowledged not only by their Breed Standards and written histories, they are more deeply understood by a genetic map that allows us to see the “architecture” of each breed at high resolution. The Dog Genome Project identified genetic variants associated with specific breeds as well as those for behaviors and inheritable diseases. As a result, purebred dog breeders now understand each breed in ways never before imagined, and competitors in hunt tests and herding trials can utilize the available information to provide appropriate training regimes and standards of care.

Form is no longer merely the visible body or the way a dog moves. Form is a genetic alphabet that is securing a brighter future for all breeds and every dog. DNA is the form, and each breed’s function will likely be preserved by incorporating all the information that’s available. In the sport of dogs, Form Follows Function still, but it is perhaps better expressed in the 21st century as DNA in Action.