Should I Stud him - Page 1

Hello everyone, I am having a dilemma right now and would like some opinions on what I should do. I got a 1 and a half year old Male GSD from a breeder who didn't want to use him in her breeding program for 1 simply reason he is DM at risk. Now with any normal dog that would be enough for me to never breed him but he has a great pedigree, drive, temperament and structure so now I have to make a decision. Please don't think that I will just breed him just because of his pedigree and looks. I will NOT breed him until I get him pennhiped, and cardio tested as well. He will also have to earn both working titles and some conformation titles (ukc, gsdca) before being bred. Please note I am in no rush to stud him nor am I new to it, I have bred dogs and studed them out before too. I talked to ofa representatives and they said not to eliminate good dogs from the breeding programs based on the result but instead use it as a breeding guide and I can understand that if we take out all breeding dogs that are carriers or at risk we severely lower the gene pool. I can breed him safely to a dm clear female and they will produce carriers/ clear dogs none of them will be at risk. So what do you think if all other health testing is good and he gets his titles should I stud him to good quality females. Also the Dm test was from optigen and was not done by me either, it was done by his old owner that has multiple dogs so I can't guarantee she didn't get them mixed up either. So I am going to do another Dm test myself on him this time using OFAs own test just to make sure he is at risk.

Here is his pedigree in case you were interested

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/dog.html?id=2796293-slavny-kral-benjamin-z-domu-sintiago

Heck,
If he turns into a great dog with good strong nerves, temperament and health I would breed him. Your dog, your breeding program, your choice.
This type of question on here will not get you an answer...just a debate that will go off on 6 different tangents. If he is excellent and you are selective with your bitches...have at it.

The dog has a decent pedigree behind him, if he meets the breed standard [no missing teeth,etc.], clears all of the health assessments and certifications, and proves he has the appropriate temperament and working ability, there is no reason to eliminate him as a breeding candidate for a suitable female who is N/N on the DNA testing for mutation of the SOD1 gene.

Many people are of the opinion that the jury is still out as to just how predictive the test developed at the U of Missouri is for degenerative myelopathy in German Shepherd Dogs is, to be frank--it was developed using the theory that DM in this breed is similar to ALS in human, but there are those who remain staunchly in the camp which does not view this as an accurate disease model to compare with the condition that affects GSDs, as the signalment, effects and progression of DM in GSDs is vastly different and there is no pain typically associated with the disease in the dogs.

Best of luck with him, he's a nice looking fellow as well, so it looks like the other breeder's loss is your gain!

The way your post is phrased sounds like you don't have any females of your own. Just because you have a great dog with health certs and titles and accomplishments doesn't mean that anyone other than you will ever want to breed to him. It's a strange phenomenon. Just be careful about what females he is bred to if you do get inquiries - they should have the health certs and quality of pedigree, too.

Christine

Not every dog needs to be bred.

I would not disqualify an otherwise solid dog, if in fact other health tests passed and titles obtained, because of this.

The info will aid you in making choices, if the dog does not have DM, no siblings or lineage that developed DM, I look at as just another tool for the breeder.

I know DM is a horrible disease, but I was pretty heavily involved in the GSD in the U.S. for quite a few years and never heard of it or experienced it. guess it was easier to hide/cover up pre internet.

I would think the dog would have to be super special to get many outside studs when breeders can choose DM clear.

jmo.
Rik