For all its beauty, the variety began as a mistake, when Dutch breeder Jan Spek Rozen discovered unusual traits that an ordinary rose assumed when grown on the Andean plateau.

The National Centre is now the largest breeder of assistance dogs in the world, with guide dog mums-to-be are homed by volunteers within an hour's drive away.

The sport has long faced criticism in the country, with some breeders accused of mistreating or doping the animals.

Hence that popular plea to obtain pets from a rescue or shelter instead of a breeder or pet store: "Adopt, Don't Shop."

Understanding these genetic traits could help breeders develop apple varieties that combine compact growth with other valuable characteristics, such as disease resistance.