Degeneration of NP & AF, osteophytosis, cell death, CEP sclerosis, decline in notochordal cells in sand rat and ChD canine. Non‐ChD canine has less IVDD. Prominent ARGxx Agg'ase neo‐epitope shows higher aggrecan turnover, abberant expression of collagen X and MMP‐13. High expression of Enpp1 and Alpl indicates increased dystrophic mineralization of CEP. This evidence concerns the gene MMP13 and atrial fibrillation.