DNA testing for longcoat factor now available! - Page 1

I just received some good news regarding GSD DNA analysis. As I suggested before there will be big breakthroughs in DNA diagnoses coming soon. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Stay tuned folks. Better breeding is just around the corner for our beloved breed. You may want to look into the new test I list below (check it out for yourself). DNA Testing for coat-length genotypes among German Shepherd Dogs is now available at the DDC Veterinary in Fairfield, Ohio. DDC is now offering a new DNA test developed at Michigan State University by Drs. Donna Housley and Patrick Venta with the cooperation of several breeders who donated research samples. Long-haired coat length is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, therefore dogs that are carriers of the long hair mutation will appear to be normal (short hair) themselves but will likely pass on the long-hair mutation 50% of the time. The purpose of this new test is to accurately identify coat-length genotypes. Breeders can use DNA testing as a tool to more effectively manage mating patterns and make better selection decisions. There are 3 possible genotypes for coat length: 1) N/N Clear (those having 2 copies of the normal short-hair allele [N] and appear to be short-haired) 2) N/F Carrier (those having 1 copy of the normal short-hair allele [N] and 1 copy of the long-hair mutation [F] and appear to be short-haired) 3) F/F Affected (those having 2 copies of the long-hair mutation [F] and appear to be long-haired) Some highlights regarding this new test: • DNA samples can be collected easily at home using buccal (cheek) swabs provided as part of a free DNA sample collection kit. • Dogs can be DNA tested at ANY age. • The cost for testing is $58 (US) per canine with a $10 discount per test for 5 or more submitted at the same time. Payment can be submitted with the return samples. • A detailed DNA report will be mailed within 10 business days of receipt of the samples. Results can also be emailed to avoid any potential delays with regular mail service. • Samples can be mailed to: DDC Veterinary, One DDC Way, Fairfield, Ohio 45014 For questions, or to order sample collection kits, you can call 1-800-625-0874 or email them at contact@vetdnacenter.com Soon, they will have a webpage for GSD breeders to order this test online. You can find their website at www.vetdnacenter.com

Besides doing all of theses DNA testing for the longcoat factor... why not do a DNA testing to improve the chances of getting bad hips/elbows in future litters? Lets focus on the bigger picture then to fuss over LONGERcoat.

to improve the chances of *NOT* getting bad hips/elbows in future litters?

as preston posted, the gene for longcoat is an autosomal recessive. hip conformation (and probably elbow conformation as well) has a polygenic mode of inheritance. this means more than one gene is responsible for hip joint conformation. things like shape of the acetabulum, joint laxity, and thigh muscle mass contribute to the overall hip status. since there is also an environmental influence on hip health, dna testing is unlikely to be immediately helpful. certainly i wish for all GSDs to have healthy hips & elbows. simple recessives are a lot easier to identify and therefore select against. i appreciate preston's post, and may use ddc's test as fairfield is quite near me.

Come on back to the real world guys and gals. You are simply going to do away with a "mutation" by eliminating the single source and breed selection will be based on the result of a single DNA test for "coat factor"? My first thought is that in doing so you are going to remove some significant number of dogs from the gene pool. My second thought is that by this very calculation you may not, in actuality, have a "gene pool" left to breed. My 3rd thought is that if enough of you adhere what you will leave behind, gone, is what the majority of us lovingly refer to today as "OUR BELOVED BREED" The German Shepherd Dog. Oh, forgive me---- You were only thinking about doing away with those "dastardly" freaky American Show Lines???? Will DNA be required to correct "banana backs"? I will await the test. Warmest regards, Morgan

When they figure out how to do DNA testing to see which lines carries those disgusting banana backs, including bloat, heart failure, other serious health issues.. Let me know.. I’m willing to pay that high price of $58 to do DNA with my dog, other then that I don’t care if my dog produces longcoats… As long as they can work and work good :) Also alot of people prefer longcoats simply because standard coats sheds and sheds ALOT.

one step at a time, folks.. no matter how insignificant in some minds is still a step in the right direction... I would like to see something for megaesophagus also caused by a recessive and maybe in the near future who knows??? in my experience, ALL GSD coats shed regardless of length..... Frequent grooming is required for all coat types, even a Dalmation or a Lab sheds a lot!!!

This is great news. Now instead of looking for longcoat females to breed to my longcoat male, I can just have the short coat females tested to make sure they carry the recessive gene. Any longcoat shepherds out there in need of a good, loving home? I've got a place for you right here.

This may be nice if included in the total genetic profile of a dog. In my opinion, the elimination of all dogs with the longcoat factor would negatively impact the available gene pool. I would rather see DNA testing to identify carriers of "off colors" (livers, blues). Even then, I would not want to eliminate such carriers but simply not to double up on carrier parents.

Louise M. Penery dont forget that ole Panda Shepherd gene! HAHA!