Alopecia X is a progressive skin disorder that causes hair loss in plush coated dog breeds, with Pomeranians having the highest incidence. Dogs with alopecia X experience hair loss on the neck, trunk, thighs, and tail. While both sexes can develop alopecia X, intact males are much more frequently affected. A dog’s coat plays a vital role in regulating body temperature and protection against skin injury and infection. The underlying cause of alopecia X is unknown and diagnosis relies on the exclusion of other hair loss conditions, which is an expensive process. Neutering is an effective treatment in some male cases, while other treatments have variable success rates. Canine alopecia X resembles human androgenetic alopecia, also known as male/female pattern baldness, and may share underlying causes. Based on our preliminary data, we hypothesize that 1) genetic risk factors can be identified through genome-wide analyses in male Pomeranians and 2) short stature and androgen receptor activity contribute to alopecia X. We will use whole genome sequencing data from 200 affected and healthy Pomeranians to locate genetic differences between cases and controls and identify regions that are under selection in the Pomeranian breed. We will also genotype alleles of genes that control body size and androgen receptor activity, as well as body size itself, to determine if they play a role in alopecia X risk. This research is the first step towardss development of a genetic risk assessment tool to help predict alopecia X and guide informed breeding decisions, ultimately improving the health and well-being of affected breeds.