German Shepherd Dog Dwarfism DNA Research - Page 1

German Shepherd Dog Dwarfism DNA Research
The first thing every owner and breeder needs to realise is that dwarfs are just the tip of an iceberg.  The vast majority of hypopituitarism in this breed does not show itself as dwarfs but as stillborn and fading puppies.  Dead 'mummified' puppies are sometimes associated with dwarfism.  The Delayed Growth Syndrome is associated with dwarfism and there is also evidence that some normal size relatives have intermediate hormone levels similar to the dwarfs.  Whether these all relate to the same genetic mechanism is still unclear.
The second thing every owner and breeder needs to know is that there now exists a research project based in The Netherlands which is dedicated to finding the defective gene or genes responsible for this crippling condition using DNA analysis.  Once the genes have been identified it is then hoped to produce a DNA based diagnostic test which will enable breeders to determine whether their breeding animals carry this serious defect or not.
For the last few years we have been asking for blood samples from dwarfs and their relatives.  The time has come when we can now say this is no longer necessary because we have enough genetic material to complete the DNA analysis, which has advanced rapidly since the first full family blood samples first allowed full genome scanning for this important genetic defect.  We would like to thank all the owners and breeders who have sent in blood samples from around the world over the last few years, with special thanks to those breeders who provided full family samples including the sire. 
The chances that this defect will be formally identified in 2008 are now excellent...
Meanwhile, there is still a need to identify those bloodlines which carry this mutation so that future DNA screening can be targeted at those lines known to be affected...........
                     http://www.accdata.co.uk/dwarfism/index.html

David Payne - VIDEX GSD - www.videxgsd.com

This is some very good research..However it will be very distressing to many .Yikes is what come to mind..

Dr. Kooistra writes:

"Misschien lijkt een dergelijke test niet zo van belang bij de Duitse herdershond, omdat de aandoening bij dit ras maar weinig lijkt voor te komen. Er moet echter rekening gehouden worden met het feit dat veel dwergjes al sterven in de baarmoeder of vlak na de geboorte. Ook moet men beseffen dat indien slechts 1 procent van de Duitse herdershonden dwerg is, maar liefst 18 procent van de populatie drager van de mutatie zal zijn. Het aantal dragers ligt hierdoor veel hoger dan men in eerste instantie zou denken! "

(translation) " Perhaps it seems that a genetic test is not important for the GSD because dwarfs are rarely seen in this breed. But you have to be aware that a lot of dwarfs die in the womb or shortly after birth. If only 1% of GSD are actually dwarfs, this means that about 18% of the breed carries the gene. The amount of carriers therefore is much higher, as would be expected."

And eventually when we find ourselves with a test for EVERYTHING along with the INEVITABILITY that the majority of  dogs will have DNA leading to SOMETHING, what does the caring breeder do then, stop breeding???

Meanwhile the KC carry on registering ANYTHING submitted to them regardless of tests or no tests whilst still continueing to peddle their misleading, next to useless Accredited Breeders Scheme along with those daft enough to sign up and display it like a shiny badge along with all the others who only signed up to it in order to get puppy sales.

We already pay yearly for maintenance of an Affix, perhaps if the KC cared enough about the Health and Welfare of Pedigree Dogs they should ensure all those with a KC Registered Affix should abide to the policy they ask of an Accredited breeder rather than creating yet another way to extort money from reputable breeders yet still providing another way of un-reputable breeders being able to further SCAM the public. 

YEAR 2009 - And nothing new - the same people still peddling the same old crap.

That site hasnt changed much in the past six or so years.  Lets us know when it is updated.  Are there other sites out there?

Terri

 I have received a report from the Netherlands that the genetic marker for dwarfism has now been discovered, and a DNA test for dwarfism is now available. I am in the process of checking this out. I will post my findings as soon as.

Health screening tests are optional in the UK, many genuinely feel this should be changed, I am one of them. Owners and Breeders have choices to make. Some will be influenced by genuine care for the future of our breed, others will be influenced by personal concerns. 

Hi David.    I for one would welcome compulsory health screening tests and that the results should be published for all to see ( maybe it would stand a chance if the current K.C. were overthrown ! ).

I am pleased to see there now seems to be a DNA test for Dwarfism , one of the subjects I have studied for many years ...... but it like other things has been poo pooed by many breeders past & present who choose to ignore its exsistence within their own kennels and carry on with the same bloodlines regardless !.  Same old scenario hey having to trust the honesty of the human race !.

Many will say that dwarfism is a rarity within our breed but thats not true at all , apart from the odd few breeders who do in fact keep their dwarfs as pets most knowledgeable breeders can identify a dwarf puppy before it reaches the age for selling so they  PTS them so no one is any the wiser. The ones that do frequently come to light are those from pet owners who breed litters and unknowingly sell their dwarf puppies and then of course the new owners start to worry when their pup doesnt grow so off to the vets they go and are diagnosed. Unfortunately some of the normal siblings go on for breeding and also used as stud dogs so it increases the chance of producing dwarfs when mated to a female who also carries the dwarf gene.

So a DNA test for dwarfism would be an excellent step towards eradicating the production of dwarfs if its managed in a responsible manner.......... but who will DNA their breeding stock ???????? and who will be open and honest with their results ??????? because the chances are that the results will remain confidential so its all back to the honesty of the breeders again !.

I would of course like to think that the majority of reputable breeders would and will be honest but past experience over many years indicates this wont be the case mores the pity.

Lynn.C.

DNA Test for Pituitary Dwarfism
in
German Shepherd Dogs
 Discovered in the Netherlands

Read more… http://www.videxgsd.com/DNA_test_pituitary_dwarfism.htm