DNA testing? - Page 2

In Germany, all dogs that go to a breed survey have to be DNA'ed, not just males. It is one of the requirements.

The big difference between the methods of the SV and the AKC is:

The SV requires that a blood sample is taken by a veterinarian (who has to get certification to do so by the SV, just like for hip and elbow x-rays). The vet will send in the sample to the SV approved and contracted lab. The vet stamps the pink papers (which the owners brought in with the dog for identification purposes).

The AKC will sell us a DNA kit which they send to us. The owner at home will take the sample himself by doing that cheek swab and sends it back to the AKC who will issue that certificate.

Which method is more reliable?

Chris

Sorry Blitzen, almost overlooked your post.

There were actually two influental males which I remember from the past.

One was VA-Leif von der Noriswand and the other was VA (JAP)-Dorijan Yohaness Berg.

VA-Leif vd Norsiwand started his career as a Hanno vd Wienerau-son, but a DNA-test revealed that he was in fact a Sasko vd Noriswand-son, making him linebred 2-2 on Zito Noriswand. The problem was discovered in 1999, after Leif was already twice VA in 1997 and 1998. He already had lots of progeny and after a lot of thinking, the SV decided to not ban the progeny but merely change and correct the pedigrees. Nobody was ever singled out for this mistake and disciplined.

Dorijan started his career as a Nero Hirschel-son, but a DNA-test showed that he was a Gandi vom Heilbronner Schloss-son. Dorijan is forever in our bloodlines because of his influental grandson Yak vom Frankengold through his son Hoss vom Laerchenhain.

If I remember correctly, another male out of the same kennel as Dorijan flunked his DNA as well, Enco (supposedly an Ulk Arlett-son). But he was not influental. Just makes you wonder about the accuracy of some pedigrees, especially from East-European countries.

Chris

Chris,

I would love to add AKC do the certified blood sample, we would have ours done that way.  In the mean time, we've had all of ours DNA tested using the current AKC method.  I think it sped up getting Minka's registry done as her DNA had already been completed.

Does anybody know off hand the minimum age to have the swab test done?

Hi Chris, I believe it was Leif I heard about. I think the use of DNA is really going to keep breeders on their toes. I believe there are incorrect pedigrees in all breeds.  Incorrect parentage would explain why some dogs don't produce (or do produce) some unexpected results in their progeny. I'd expect some of those results would be minor and might be traits like longcoats or specific colors, but it could explain why other more important characteristics like missing teeth, cryptoridism, and flacid ears still pop up after several generations of only breeding dogs that do not exhibit these faults.

At any rate, DNA can oly be a good thing for the GSD world. It will take a few generations of breeding DNA identifed dogs to other DNA'd dogs, but there will be some good results forthcoming assuming breeders use that knowledge in the right ways. We can't go back in time to the foundation dogs, but we can move forward using current technology. With the use of DNA, I think breeding dogs will be a very exciting and rewarding hobby in the near future  as it will give breeders a lot more knowledge about their gene pool. One day you all will be able to breed super dogs thanks to DNA . Dream big......

Animules-  I don't think the AKC specifies the age requirement to DNA.  I would imagine this could be done at any age, but you'd have to check that out.  I just had Agar's DNA done a few months ago and the process was pretty simple.  I did wound up getting another test kit sent from the AKC because they indicated that the first sample I sent off they were not able to get enough of the cells to conduct the test acurately.  The second test was much easier since it actually turns a different shade to let you know that you have placed enough saliva on it for it to be done properly.  But the age requirement is a good question....if you find out something different than I understood please share that with me cause now you have me curious. lol

OK, so far all the responses have been mostly focused on parental verification, however, I recall seeing posts that DNA testing can reveal if a dog is carrying the long coat gene.  What's the deal with this?

What else can you "find" with DNA testing?

SchHBabe

Apparently DNA can't even put O.J. at the scene of the crime.

SchHBabe, yes there is a DNA test that can identify longcoats and recessive carriers.

http://www.vetdnacenter.com/canine-long-hair-test.html

Agar,

I emailed and asked, no minimum age restriction for doing the DNA through AKC.

I personall like the ideal of the dogs being DNA'd from all the horror stories about over sea swaping papers to right here in the states. When you are spending 500.00 to 5000.00  it is a little piece of mind you are getting what you paid for not some "Oops the guys dog jumped in"

I would personally like to see more use of the information then just Parenthood. Yes the long hair is good but I rather focus on more sirius issues.

I had one bad experience where a guy bought a puppy from me and brought it back 6 month later. Said that the puppy had HD and he wanted his money back. Funny thing is I don't have any white markings on my dogs and this one had small patch on the back foot!!! (Plus I take pictures of all my puppies with thier new owners to show what colors they got)  I told him I would be willing to take this matter to court to resolve the issue as that was not my dog. I also told him that I will demand a DNA test from the Judge to prove that was my dog. I have yet to hear back from him.

From then on ALL my dogs are DNA. As a buyer I want that and as a seller I want to give that piece of mind.