DNA Testing Breeding Stock

As you say quite a few responsible breeders DNA test already, but I don't think I would hold my breath with regard to the UK KC making it compulsory. They don't make low hip scores etc compulsory yet after all.:(
 
I'm not a breeder but we still DNA test as the parent club in Germany keeps a DNA registry to identify inherited illnesses and to ID the dog/prove parentage if need be :p
 
I'd be up for any steps which can be taken to eradicate hereditary problems, but I just don't see how this is going to help.

"Around 40% of the 750,000 pedigree dogs bred in the Netherlands has an inherited handicap." There are those breeds where the figure would be closer to 100%.

The problem comes when someone has to decide at what level, the handicap is acceptable. If the only dogs which were given a permit to breed, were those which were totally clear of any heritable complaints, then the gene pool would be so small that all the good work would be undone, within a couple of generations. Any dog which appears through x/ray and examination to be clear of any faults, will still carry the genes which produce the flaws, and were that not the case, then, as an example, two dogs mated, both with totally clear hip scores will still be likely to produced flawed pups.

I suppose that if a breeding programme was set up, where by judicious out crossing was done, coupled with DNA testing, and the rejects were either PTS or neutered, then progress may be possible, but even then, owners would have to agree to it, and those who attempt to earn a living from dogs, would go bankrupt.

Do you see my point? I'm not being obstructive for the sake of it, I just think that the idea is doomed to failure. As others, I wish that there was a simple answer. There isn't!

Alec.
 
In Miniature Bull Terriers we had Primery Lens Luxation,possibly as much as 20% were affected;this is a disease of the eye causing blindness and glaucoma ,it is late onset,so often the animal would have unknowingly been bred from before it became apparent.
About three years ago a DNA test was at last found by the AHT,and now all but a very few ignorant breders are aware of and use it on every puppy.Consequently a mini bt going blind is a thing of the past. Now I think this is a wonderful tool,and I use DNA in other areas as well. For instance,the liver colour gene is rare in bull terriers..but by testing one can,if desired ,deliberately create this colour in a litter. It is listed as an "undesirably" colour in the show breed standard,but it can be a personal choice for a breeder. Fantastic ,a new tool to create healthier dogs. Soon the AHT wil start work on finding the marker for kidney disease in bull terriers..a huge killer in the breed,and maybe other afflicted breeds will join in on that one,as Lancashire Heelers did on the PLL research.
 
Some very interesting points coming out.

Alec, you make an excellent point regarding the gene pool. I hadn't actually thought of that. I did think that 40% of pedigree dogs over here had some hereditary problem to seem very high and if only the other 60% were allowed to be used as breeding stock some breeds could be in deep trouble. Not really sure what the solution around this is (nor am I a genetics expert) but at least these things are being openly discussed and people are TRYING to come up with solutions.
 
Having the DNA for PLL does`nt mean we disregard carriers,just never put carrier to carrier to avoid breeding an affected. I have a very good bitch who is an affected,we used a clear dog on her..and got exactly as wanted ..a much better version of her mother and only a carrier.Meanwhile mummie is a valued house pet now and on daily eye drops for life that will preclude her developing lens luxation.
 
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