DM clear vs carrier - Page 1

I recently ran across a local ad for "DM Clear" puppies with a very nice pedigree, but upon further investigation found that the father is a DM carrier. I inquired about the puppies (curious as to whether the breeder had tested the whole litter) and found that she has not tested the pups and she told me they were 'clear' because neither of the parents were 'at risk'. I'm just curious on everyone's thoughts. My opinion of 'clear' is a dog that does not carry the gene (n/n). So, in reality an average of half the litter would be 'clear' and the other half would be 'carriers', so perhaps a better advertisement would have been "puppies not at risk for DM"?? What does everyone think?

*just want to clarify that I have no issues with this breeder, just curious about how the wording of the ad is taken by others*

If the ad actually stated that the puppies were DM clear - then both parents should be DM clear.  If one is a carrier, then as you say unless the  puppies were all DM tested clear themselves, the breeder should not make the statement that they are clear.  As you say, if one parent is a carrier, some of the puppies may also be carriers.  The wording may be the problem - breeder meaning the puppies are not going to be rated "affected" with two tested parents even with one carrier.  So technically the pups would be "clear" of DM.  The wording of "puppies are DM clear" is misleading though. 

dm=?

To state that DM is clear that should mean that DM is not present. At all. Both sides....  No exceptions. No carrier or DM present. No exceptions. For the person to say DM clear and then have the father of the litter being a carrier is a dog that should not be used for breeding. End of story. Raise the bullshit flag and sound the horns..

The whole flipped up issue with carriers is that two carriers make it happen! Why risk it? The more I learn about this the more I'm petrified going forward.. It's not this serious but would you have you know... umm .. yeah.. "relations" with someone who has some kind of issue? Well, no.. I would not.. So why breed dogs where one has a issue? Sure, it's not AIDS but why? It's only hurting them and the people that have expectations of bringing the animal in their life. It's takes a special kind of dumbass not to appreciate what a good GSD can bring to your life. Someone is presented with the pleasure of meeting a friends "Well bred GSD" .. Strong note of well bred.. And they turn out on a mission to find that same level of dog only to screwed over with a dog that is all mangled up well before the bell tolls for thee'....  Tell the person who posted the ad that she needs to think about life and not her bank account.

@supa .. DM is Degenerative Myelopathy. It is a disease of the spinal cord in dogs. It is a very sad and yet retchid disease that is progressive (gets worse).... It starts out as loss of coordination and eventually leads to total loss of movement in the rear of the animal. They are reduced to dragging themselves across the ground. It's just as horrid as HD except worse. It's not a physical issue (example socket wear or failure) but more of a neuro issue because the brain can no longer instruct that portion of the body to move.

Sadly German Shepherd Myelopathy is unique to the breed and breeders that are breeding without this test should be dragged out to the nearest ally and worked over.. Twice.

(Excuse any typo's... it's been a long day.. coming to a end - via a good Bourbon.. too tired to proof it)

"I inquired about the puppies (curious as to whether the breeder had tested the whole litter) and found that she has not tested the pups and she told me they were 'clear' because neither of the parents were 'at risk'."

That could theoretically mean that both parents were carriers.

Go to OFFA site and see what they have to say about breeding a carrier, or an at risk for that matter.
Keith, I agree.....not at risk does not mean clear.

@keith
Both parent were tested and the mother is clear, but the father is a carrier.

I have been told by many longtime breeders that eliminating the population of DM carrier would significantly decrease the gene pool for the GSD. A couple of my girls are carriers, but are always bred to clear males and any puppies going on full registration must be tested and clear prior to sale. I figured that keeps the bloodlines going, but eliminates the DM in them. I sell very few breeding dogs anyways. Most of my puppies are high quality family pets, which is how I like it, and they go with a spay/neuter agreement.

Has anyone DM tested their dog at two different labs? A friend of mine did - one lab said clear and the other lab said carrier. As has been discussed at length on this forum, the current DM test is not a straight forward issue.

Amen, Laura.

I know the ad in question. I remember reading it and thinking it was a case of someone being ignorant and just blindly following what the 'good breeders' told them they should do. They didn't really seem to understand what it was they were saying/advertising. They meant "clear" as in shouldn't develop DM (if the test is even that valid), not that neither parent or the pups couldn't be a carrier. From a practical standpoint, I get what they're saying, but to those of us who understand the Punnett square terms, clear, carrier, affected, it's very misleading. 

I haven't tested with multiple labs, but my vet had mentioned that the test may not be 100% accurate for all dogs. Makes it very difficult for breeders! Even if you test your dogs and the test says they're clear apparently they could still be a carrier!!