Health Testing
Regarding Genetic testing:
Genetic testing has been done on our dogs which are mostly clear therefore we do not breed together two dogs that might be a carriers of the same condition. Both parents must be carriers of a disease for it to reflect onto their offspring. All of our parents have had DNA testing through Embark, and have no known genetic health risks. If both parents are carriers of the trait their offspring can exhibit the disorder; therefore, we vigilantly deject breeding two dogs that might be a carrier of the same condition.
Regarding Patellar Luxation :
As of yet, there is no known genetic test for knees and patellas, nevertheless, scientists are working to make one possible soon. Since X-rays do not always show signs of hip and knee issues that might arise in offspring; and since hormones, environment and nutrition may also influence skeletal, we do not x-ray our dogs. Producing healthiest offspring is always our priority.
Studies:
Research for Patellar Luxation has found that unaffected offspring produced despite both parents being affected. In the other end of the spectrum you can also find affected dogs where both parents were considered to be unaffected. There could be many reasons for this. One being that there is a posible type of mutation. Another explanation could be that dogs are examined for patellar luxation at a young age, and dogs considered luxation free at that age may still develop patellar luxation later on. A third reason could be the uncertainty of the method used today to diagnose patellar luxation. In Avelsdata you can find dogs that have been tested by several veterinarians, and obtaining different clinical findings by each veterinarian. It would be valuable to find a more objective method of evaluating patellar luxation. It seems likely that that patellar luxation is not inherited in a monogenic fashion. (https://stud.epsilon.slu.se/7503/7/zanders_s_141202.pdf)
Embark DNA Links
