DNA Testing & Simple Inherited Diseases

Why test your dog? 

Testing of all breeding dogs prior to breeding allows the breeder to determine if a dog may pass on a disease causing gene to its offspring, and therefore avoiding the risk of producing affected puppies. 

 

What do DNA tests check for?

DNA tests provide owners and breeders with a dog’s genetic status for known simple inherited disorders. These conditions are caused by a mutation at just one gene, and inheritance of these diseases is predictable, and therefore by following a responsible breeding programme the producing of affected puppies can be avoided. Test results for both parents used for breeding would need to be known prior to mating.

 

How to DNA test your dog?

Some DNA tests require a blood sample, and these must be drawn by a qualified person e.g. an OV (Official Veterinarian). However there are an increasing number of DNA tests that can now be carried out by providing a buccal swab, this process is relatively non-invasive and a much cheaper option. Buccal swabs are used to collect DNA cells from the inside of a dogs mouth by wiping the swab firmly across the cheek. Both types of samples, the blood sample and buccal swab sample must be collected and certified by an OV.

 

Autosomal-recessive mode of inheritance

To have an Autosomal-recessive mode of inheritance means that a dog inherits two mutated genes. Each dog inherits one copy of a gene from its mother and one from its father. Dogs that have been tested for an autosomal-recessive condition are generally describerd as either, Clear, Carrier or Affected. 

 

Clear: 

These dogs can be mated to any dogs without producing affected puppies. The dog does not have any mutated genes for the condition you have tested for. This dog will only pass on a normal copy of the gene.

 

Carrier:

These dogs have one normal and one abnormal gene for the condition you have tested for. The dog may pass one copy of the mutated gene or one copy of the normal gene on to its offspring. The dog itself will not usually be clinically affected by the mutated gene. Carrier dogs can only be mated to clear dogs to ensure affected puppies are not produced. Mating a carrier to a carrier, or a carrier to an affected dog puts the health of future puppies at risk. 

 

Affected:

These dogs have two abnormal genes for the condition you have tested for, and will pass one copy of the mutated gene on to future puppies. The dog itself will be clinically affected by the mutated gene. Affected dogs can only be mated to clear dogs to ensure affected puppies are not produced, however all puppies produced from the mating of a clear dog to an affected dog would be carriers. Mating an affected dog to a carrier or another affected dog puts the health of future puppies at risk. 

 

 

 


 

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