DNA test for DM - Page 2

Would be cool if Oli could add a drop down box regarding DM results when entering the pedigree of a dog might make more people aware a test exists, would also like to be able to add elbow results like the HD results, so we don't have to hand enter them in the database.

Kelly wrote: "There are a lot of breeders doing this now, but there are also a lot of breeders that do not believe in the results of the testing, etc."

That is a shame. Not that I am looking for a dog right now, but I would not buy a dog without knowing the DM test results of the parents, just as I want to know the hip and elbow results. My present DM girl is a rescue, so the only way I could've known was to test her before adopting.


Leoetta wrote: "Hopefully someday someone will really start to give a damn and require all of these things before being allowed papers of any kind. "

Ah yes, in a perfect world where greed did not exist... A lot of breeders would not be happy about it. Also, the AKC could stand to lose a lot of revenue if they required all those screenings before registering a dog. Of course, they could have "pet quality" papers and "breeding quality" papers.  I'd love to see that happen... 

What a shame that all these results aren't listed on one site. OFA won't list the results of the Flash test anymore either; they deleted all those results from their database. The Flash test is/was not the same test, so I assumed that was why they did that.









 

Barbie, is Zamp sired by Quenn?

yep i use DDC and think they are pretty good.  i have 2 DM Clear girls and 1 DM Carrier boy i have tested so far.

more breeders need to test for DM. i do think they are afraid to know...

Yes Blitzen, he is a Quenn son out of a SchH3 littermate sister to Bazi von der Urbecke. His name is Zamp von der Urbecke, he is here on the database and more info is on my website, www.westcoastgermanshepherds.com

Barbie

I tested all of my dogs (9 dogs in total, including a few tests for a friend) who might be bred a couple of years ago with DDC, and they all came up neg/neg--what a relief! DDC gives a discount for sending in 5+ tests at the same time, so that is one reason I went with them instead of OFA.

However, there is some evidence coming out now that the DNA test only identifies one type of DM in dogs, but there may be two types found within the breed. One type is equivalent to, iirc, MS in humans and the other type is considered equivalent to ALS. I know that this is being investigated further and hopefully we--and the scientists doing the research--will know more soon.

In the meantime, I do think our current DM test is valuable info--but sadly, it may not be the "whole story."

Christine

Blackthorn, I think that has been an issue almost from the first day that a DNA test other than the Flash test became available. I  believe Clemmons said the U of Mo test identifies the mutation that causes DM in breeds other than the GSD. He says the DM we see is not the same as other breeds and he compared it to MS vs ALS. That is the rationale some use for not testing their dogs at all. I'm not sure why Clemmons is no longer offering the Flash test, maybe due to a loss of funding?  It's been a long time since I've been able to find any updates from Clemmons on the net.

I am hoping that the U of Mo has some sort of plan to follow through on the dogs they are testing and we really need to know why less than 20% of the at risks that live long enough develop DM. Another excuse some are using for not testing- since most at risks will never get DM, why test at all? I doubt we would hear that statement from anyone who has ever had to deal with a GSD with DM. 

I guess there will always be GSD breeders who will never health test their dogs for more than they must per the SV and they will continue to look for every and any excuse to opt out of doing more than hips and elbows. AKC will continue to get all the blame for poor health in dogs. Ironic...........

bump

i know i will never buy a puppy  from non tested DM parents. i have never had a dog with DM and really dont want one.