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Special Instructions for Owners Testing their Dogs
Your dog should not lick you, other people or any other dog at least an hour before the test
You should not feed your dog for an hour prior to the test.
The test only takes a few minutes, is non-evasive and results are returned to the dog owner in a few weeks.
If you have any questions regarding testing or would like to organise a test, please contact United White Shepherds and we will put you in contact with the authorised collector in your area.
Your dog should not lick you, other people or any other dog at least an hour before the test
You should not feed your dog for an hour prior to the test.
The test only takes a few minutes, is non-evasive and results are returned to the dog owner in a few weeks.
If you have any questions regarding testing or would like to organise a test, please contact United White Shepherds and we will put you in contact with the authorised collector in your area.
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Genetics tracks hereditary diseases in our dogs and this gives breeders the information that helps them plan responsible breed as many out as possible.
United White Shepherds requires all breeding dogs registered on our studbook to be DNA profiled for MDR1.
United White Shepherds requires all breeding dogs registered on our studbook to be DNA profiled for MDR1.
What is DNA Profiling?
And What Does it Mean to the Dog World?
DNA profiling is a process to obtain a DNA profile for a living creature. It is also known as genetic fingerprinting as the profile obtained is unique to that animal just as fingerprints are unique to people.
Once a dog's DNA profile is taken, it can be used for a number of things.
At this stage DNA profiles can be used to test for IVM/MDR1 status (i.e. carrier, non carrier) in shepherds.
MDR1 is a gene, that, when present in its mutant form, can cause dogs to be hypersensitive to various drugs and can result in death from commonly given drugs (i.e. some heartworm medication, medication used during operations etc).
A test is also being developed for von Willebrand's Disease, which although not common in Shepherds, the disease is on the increase in Australian German Shepherd populations.
And What Does it Mean to the Dog World?
DNA profiling is a process to obtain a DNA profile for a living creature. It is also known as genetic fingerprinting as the profile obtained is unique to that animal just as fingerprints are unique to people.
Once a dog's DNA profile is taken, it can be used for a number of things.
At this stage DNA profiles can be used to test for IVM/MDR1 status (i.e. carrier, non carrier) in shepherds.
MDR1 is a gene, that, when present in its mutant form, can cause dogs to be hypersensitive to various drugs and can result in death from commonly given drugs (i.e. some heartworm medication, medication used during operations etc).
A test is also being developed for von Willebrand's Disease, which although not common in Shepherds, the disease is on the increase in Australian German Shepherd populations.
Why Profile and Test Your Dog?
There are several reasons for profiling and testing your dog.
Profiling breeding dogs and puppies produced will give breeders the peace of mind of the parentage of the puppies.
For a breeder, this also guarantees that the correct stud dog was used in the mating if your bitch was sent away for breeding or semen was supplied for AI.
DNA profiling also gives confidence to puppy buyers that they are getting a dog from the parents they think they are.
Studies prior to the introduction of DNA profiling of breeding stock with the AKC showed that up to 10% of pedigrees were incorrect at the sire level, since the introduction of profiling this has reduced to 4%.
Testing for genetic disease is also of benefit to a breeder as this allows a breeder to ensure they do not pair up two carriers of a disease to produce affected puppies. Hence diseases can be eliminated from the gene pool.
For autosomal recessive diseases — which a lot of canine genetic diseases are — the test only needs to be conducted on the parents as two clear parents produce clear offspring. The only thing that would need to be tested on offspring is profiling for parentage.
There are several reasons for profiling and testing your dog.
Profiling breeding dogs and puppies produced will give breeders the peace of mind of the parentage of the puppies.
For a breeder, this also guarantees that the correct stud dog was used in the mating if your bitch was sent away for breeding or semen was supplied for AI.
DNA profiling also gives confidence to puppy buyers that they are getting a dog from the parents they think they are.
Studies prior to the introduction of DNA profiling of breeding stock with the AKC showed that up to 10% of pedigrees were incorrect at the sire level, since the introduction of profiling this has reduced to 4%.
Testing for genetic disease is also of benefit to a breeder as this allows a breeder to ensure they do not pair up two carriers of a disease to produce affected puppies. Hence diseases can be eliminated from the gene pool.
For autosomal recessive diseases — which a lot of canine genetic diseases are — the test only needs to be conducted on the parents as two clear parents produce clear offspring. The only thing that would need to be tested on offspring is profiling for parentage.
What Benefit is this for the White Shepherd Community as a Whole?
Benefits of testing our white shepherd breeding stock are it minimises disease and increases the reliability of our pedigrees.
The breeding community would also be in line with the program developed by the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) to DNA profile ANKC registered dogs.
This scheme is currently optional, but will become mandatory for all ANKC registered breeders in 2008.
Although the White Shepherd community is excluded from registering its litters, dogs and being registered breeders with the ANKC; we should endeavour to adhere to their breeding standards as a minimum.
Benefits of testing our white shepherd breeding stock are it minimises disease and increases the reliability of our pedigrees.
The breeding community would also be in line with the program developed by the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) to DNA profile ANKC registered dogs.
This scheme is currently optional, but will become mandatory for all ANKC registered breeders in 2008.
Although the White Shepherd community is excluded from registering its litters, dogs and being registered breeders with the ANKC; we should endeavour to adhere to their breeding standards as a minimum.
What is IVM
Ivermectin (22,23-dihydroavermectin B1a + 22,23-dihydroavermectin B1b) is a broad-spectrum anti-parasite medication, traditionally used against worms (except tapeworms), but more recently found to be effective against most mites and some lice too. It is sold under brand namesStromectol® in the United States, Mectizan® in Canada by Merck and Ivexterm® in Mexico.
Ivermectin (22,23-dihydroavermectin B1a + 22,23-dihydroavermectin B1b) is a broad-spectrum anti-parasite medication, traditionally used against worms (except tapeworms), but more recently found to be effective against most mites and some lice too. It is sold under brand namesStromectol® in the United States, Mectizan® in Canada by Merck and Ivexterm® in Mexico.
How Do You Get a Test?
Testing and profiling in Australia is conducted by a company called Genetic Technologies.
A test kit can be arranged and a sample collected via a vet or a GTG authorised collector. Please see the Genetic Technologies site for a price list — www.gtg.com.au
Genetic Technologies also offer collection days at dog shows at a discounted rate. Details of those rates are available just prior to events.
Dogs need to be microchipped, a reader will be available on the day to scan dogs to confirm their identity.
Testing and profiling in Australia is conducted by a company called Genetic Technologies.
A test kit can be arranged and a sample collected via a vet or a GTG authorised collector. Please see the Genetic Technologies site for a price list — www.gtg.com.au
Genetic Technologies also offer collection days at dog shows at a discounted rate. Details of those rates are available just prior to events.
Dogs need to be microchipped, a reader will be available on the day to scan dogs to confirm their identity.
Read more about genetics and how they affect the white shepherd at the White Shepherd Genetic Project's website.
Role of Genetics in White Shepherds
