My dogs must pass the following health tests to qualify as PGD parents:
- HIPS (phenotypic, goldens affected): OFA GOOD OR EXCELLENT, or Penn Hip Over 50%,
- ELBOW DYSPLASIA (phenotypic, goldens affected): OFA NORMAL
- PATELLAR LUXATION (knee caps can pop out of groove, phenotypic, mini poodles affected): OFA NORMAL
- EYES - CERF (annual exam needed, phenotypic): NORMAL
- HEART (cardiologist, phenotypic, goldens affected): OFA NORMAL
- THYROID (phenotypic, blood test): OFA NORMAL
- prcdPRA (degeneration of the retina causing blindness after 4 years of age, DNA, goldens and poodles): CLEAR
- von WILLEBRANDS (bleeding disorder. DNA, poodles affected): CLEAR
Even though robust health is a component of hybrid vigor, a responsible breeder will assure that the parent dogs pass these tests to optimize the health of the offspring. A genetic test (DNA) is conclusive, it will tell you if the dog is a affected, a carrier, or clear. A phenotypic test is a physical examination to determine if the dog is affected, it cannot tell you if the dog is a carrier.
Hip dysplasia is a multi-gene condition, and the DNA has not yet been determined. That is why it is so persistent in dogs today. We don't know who the carriers are. Our best defense against this malady is to look for good hips many generations back.
Recommended Resources
Canine Eye Registration Foundation
vetGen: Veterinary Genetic Services
