DNA testing for longcoat factor now available! - Page 2

I for one would really hate to "coats" eliminated. I have seen so many beautiful, smart, high drive dogs with wonderful conformation, but OMG!!! they have a little extra fur! Maybe coats should be considered their own breed, like whites?

I never suggested that the total elimination of the coat factor in GSDs was needed. I stated that the purpose of this test is to have information so one can make informed breeding decisions. For example, if a breeder wants to avoid producing coats, and his bitch carries the coat factor, then he may want to avoid breeding her to a stud dog which carries the coat factor. If it has been determined that one's dog or bitch does not carry the coat factor, then this may allow the breeding a greater range of suitable breeding partners if he or she wants to avoid coats, which can be hard for some to sell. I for one want to know as much as I can about what my GSD will carry if I decide to use it for breeding. Some old time breeders believed that one should breed a non-coat carrier to a coat carrier if one wants a plusher coat with no long coats. I don't know if there is any truth to this or not. I e-mailed DDC and asked if their test covers GSDs and they replied yes. I am posting this for anyone interested. As far as genetic testing for HD and elbow DJD, yes, they are clearly polygenic, but it is only a matter of time before the genes which control these will be identified with their related risk profiles when in combination. I think we will see it in 3-5 years. Information is one form of power.

Is the LONG COAT FACTOR for a True long coat (the one that splits in the withers) and LONG STOCK COAT (longer thick undercoat) the same...???

Yes, both are the result of the same gene.

triodegirl, If I would have known you were looking for a LC female, I could have shipped you one. I stole one out of the backyard of a friends neighbor. Droped dead in color and build and movement. she does Sch to!! Husband's dog and he is gone all the time, and just because she does SCH the Wife is terrifed of her, so she had her chained in the rear yard no food and water. Husband travels alot. I was so ticked, I went back there and brought her home, yelled at the wife and told her to have hubby call me when he gets home. He came over Yelling at me, she backed him to the wall, was pretty funny to see his own dog tell him off. Anyway once he calmed down and understood what was realling going on when he was out of town, he brought me her papers. I rehomed her. She is a great dog and very clear headed with a very calm attitidue. I see her once inawhile out and about, she is like a puppy with a new zest for life.