A question about DM - Page 1

Hello all, I have been reading the forums here for quite some time, but just now created an account to ask a specific question for a much broader sample size of answers.

I am in the market for a GSD and have been searching for the right breeder. After eliminating 10 or 12 different breeders, I thought I found one that met all of my expectations and had all the right answers (for me), until I asked 1 question. Below is my question to her and her response:

Question: I see the dam is a DM carrier, but nothing is listed for the sire. Has he been tested for DM? Do you have written proof of the DM tests from both parents?

Answer: There is a lot of faultiness with the DM tests I don't vest anything in them. I have known dogs that came back clear and produce carriers and so forth. If you go onto the ofa website and type in (name redacted for anonymity) full name you will see her results. The Sire has not been tested.

This raised red flags with me, so my question to the breeders/experts here is; how many of you agree with her on the validity of DM testing, and how many think DM testing is vital and her response should send me elsewhere?

She (the breeder) is right insofar as there are questions over the validity of the tests - starting with which genes/'version' of the disease the testing company is looking at. Then you get the accounts of how some dogs have come back clear, yet still ended up with DM, or DM-like symptoms. Problem remains that, while there are fairly clear 'text book' symptoms, there are also variants; and a lot of other spinal and nerve problems with very similar effects. DM cannot be 'proved' one way or the other until post-mortem.

That is from the breeders' point of view, whether they set enough store by it for their breedings to ensure both parents are tested, and clear, or whether they want to take risks.

From the buyer's point of view, the decision you need to take (knowing the above) is whether you too want to gamble. You know the dam has been tested; you know the sire has not. You also know, I hope, that every dog purchase is a medical risk; something can always go wrong
no matter what has been tested for / bred to avoid. Does this puppy have enough of everything else you are looking for, that you can choose to take that risk ? Or would you do better to walk away and find a puppy where the parents have had all relevant available testing, and still has everything else you want ? Only you can weigh up that decision. Good luck.

Thank you, Hundmutter, that's exactly what I was looking for. I understand there is always risk, but I was more concerned with finding others that aren't trying to sell me a dog that agree with her assessment. :)

I agree that the test is iffy. However, if I have a known carrier, I am certainly going to test the breeding partners to err on the side of caution. I do wish we had a more specific test for GSDs, since there is very good evidence more than just the SOD1 mutation is playing a role in the development of the disease.

Ten German Shepherd Dogs who had DM proven by necropsy were used in the research to develop the test. One had tested clear. There is a serious problem with this test. The biggest problem is the false impression that 'clear' dogs cannot pass DM to their offspring. And breeders take full advantage of this ignorance. There semed to be a rush to develop this test and collect the fortune that it reaps. The GSDCA seems to benefit from having a problem with a supposed solution rather than acknowledge there is still a problem. At this point nothing is a substitute for a breeder that knows what their lines produce.