TEST for blue & liver gene - Page 2

for the record, I have no issue with blue/liver /white or long coated dogs, just wanted to post the info because I do know  some people prefer not to produce them

Thank you Uber Land,  I think most breeders know what they have, but its still good information.

It may not be so much making a big deal out of locating and identifying the genes that influence color and coat length as it is they are the simplest to locate and their expression is influenced by a single gene and only a few simple modifiers. The paths of least resistance so to speak. However unimportant coat length and color might seems in in the big picture, it is  a  stepping stone and the right place to start. The longcoat  gene is located on the same chromosone in all breeds that inherit a long coat via a simple recessive mode.  Thus locating and identifying that gene in the Corgi has led to a test for the GSD and several other breeds. Those tests have become revenue generators for VetGen and that money could lead  to research on more vital issues. A disease such as epilepsy has many "forms" and is inherited differently in different breeds. The same applies to EPI, etc..  HD will most likely prove to be a very complicated condition/disease to type genetically. Researchers will initially look to the more simple conditions like longcoats and color.

I know some who are very excited about the longcoat and the color tests. They breed few litters, maybe one a  year if that, so every breeding has to count and if they can avoid producing a disqualifying trait with the use of a simple cheek swab, they are going to do it. Those who breed a litter or 2 every month are probably not going to take advantage of either test.