Breed Improvement Suggestions for the UK GSD Breed Council - Page 17

So how can EPI be included if there is no test!

Read the
interview Reinhardt Meyer 2008 - SV National Breed Warden
"THE REGENERATION OF THE GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG"
http://www.videxgsd.com/interview_with_reinhardt_meyer_s.htm

Although dogs cannot be tested, there are unfortunately some breeders who will continue to breed with dogs that have been diagnosed EPI or will not take on board reports of puppies that have developed EPI.  Hence the problem continues.

As this thread is about breed betterment I personally feel that the Breed Council should take on board EPI as a condition that affects our breed seriously. When Hip dysplasia first became a problem in our breed many breeders chose to ignore it and swept it under the carpet, it was only because some breeders took on board the problem (and at the time in the UK there was no x raying done) that there is now an established system of scoring stock, the BVA did not have a system in place, that has all developed because of people like Malcolm Willis and breeders who were concerned about the effects on HD in their stock. 

My point here is that many were concerned and honest enough to x ray stock, at the time many of the dogs who were winning in the show ring came back with quite poor scores. But the breeders were to be applauded for having the courage to come clean.  With EPI many breeders will not acknowledge that it is a problem or that their dogs have it or have had progeny that have developed it.

We have in the past worked together to help reduce problems in our breed, and this could happen again. 

However it would rely on breeders being honest about the problem and the Breed council looking into lines that are showing to produce this problem and then asking the KC to put endorsements on those lines after sufficient proof has been obtained.

The sad thing is I have read it may be possible to 'breed' this disease out within 5 generations with co-operation from breeders.

Not sure how reading an excellent article will help with the Breed Council convincing the Kennel Club that our breed needs more stringent temperament and health controls

I would however ask you all to sit back look at the requirements of the Koreung (ie min sch1 qualification BH AD) and ask your self

Can a animal with any of the following stand the rigours of being trained and then tested in the sch schedule

Displastic Hips/Elbows

EPI

Nervousness

Limited PREY, DEFENCE, FOOD, and  ENERGY drives

etc etc

I think not (there could be VERY minor exceptions to the rule) but not enough to consider

Thank you Videx for the  link, I pick out the following from the article regarding the regeneration of the gsd.

'New control regulations, scientific matters, organization of show dates, HD, ED, DNA procedures.'

Also thanks from the Videx site

Pancreatic insufficiency is an abnormality that suggests removal from the gene pool, whether the dog has a severe or a mild case or is asymptomatic most of the time. Most vets take very few hours of nutrition and practical genetics classes in vet school, and then forget most of it because they don’t use it every day.  Breeders are sometimes more reliable sources of information. Unfortunately, many people who offer their EPI males at stud do not admit or declare any cautions about their dogs. As one observer quipped, “It’s funny isn’t it, that those who deny all those things have Viokase-V on the shelf in their back rooms?” Although it is good for various unspecified causes of diarrhea, the product is so much more expensive than Kaopectate, that it makes you wonder.

Estweyn: I applaud your research, reading and references.
see: http://www.videxgsd.com/immune_system_problems.htm

Maybe one day more people in our breed will grasp the meaning of genuine research, reading and references, it avoids reinventing the wheel, and makes progress for our breed much more consistent and unified. Many people frequently extend their assumptions way beyond their actual knowledge.. The British Sieger Working Group is a very good example. Assumption is no match for actual knowledge and research helps enormously. Logic is also invaluable.

Sue B,Your comments and analysis is exremely correct and insightful as to why character and temperament has become dysmal in showlines of countries that don't have a working requirement for titles/awards! But what is even more telling is the fact that so many posters "get quiet " when this point is made, much less openly agree with you and suggest corrective actions. Sad, sad, sad!! Its amazing how many people can pontificate on polcy, procedure, and people, but let you talk about commitment to something tangible, that will quickly eliminate many of the deadwood dogs and necessitate breeding to improve character, and the quietness is deafening. Sue, bravo to you for your comments because in the end this kind of drastic step is only way to improve these deficiencies. 

Gustav

A good point we have a sysytem in place that covers all aspects of the character test but that keeps being ignored even in this discussion, if ALL dogs BEFORE they were allowed to breed were tested fully ie character and health we would then see the breed get back to were it came from

But unfortunately that would mean that owners would have to actually do things with their dogs other than brushing them on friday night and stivking them in the back of the car for their weeking running round in circles competition

Gustav: see http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/bulletins_read/219003.html

covers the issue very well