Genetic Diseases
Over the years and through improved research more and more Genetic Disease’s are coming to light in our breed as well as all other breeds of dog, the question is how to go about handling and improving these conditions. Although most breeders are honest there are some who will deny having any Genetic Diseases in their lines. It seems that when choosing a stud dog the champion titles, the length of coat, the teeth etc are more important than what is behind the dog and in its lines, a breed specialist once told me that she was astonished that people looked for a champion and ignored good stock which would strengthen the breed. Ideal would be an international database where all Stud dogs and breed bitches are registered with a history of their ancestors and any Genetic Disease’s in these lines, to go a step further it would be better if this information was also included in all pedigrees. A dog that comes out of for example lines where a Genetic Disease is known but there is no reliable test to determine if the dog is a carrier or not, in my opinion this info should be included in the pedigree and the breeder obligated to inform the puppy buyers regarding the individual diseases that may be in this line. What would we achieve, well in my opinion it would make puppy buyers alert to what are in the individual lines, then in most pedigrees info regarding HD can be observed but when it comes to far more valuable information about Genetic Diseases, this is not mentioned. An international database would also give breeders the possibility to research on dogs they would like to use for stud purposes and stud dog owners the same chance to research up on a breed bitch. Time is spent discussing about a docking ban where at the same time we should be spending more time with each other trying to get to grips with all the health problems that can be found in this wonderful breed. Maybe some of you will give this a little thought then it can be heard we can always breed these diseases back out but when will it start and with which goal do they intend achieving ? I sincerely hope for the sake of our breed things change over the next few years and it would be nice to see an international database containing all information over the dogs. There is no breeder in the world can be blamed for starting a Genetic Disease then this cannot be foreseen but caution has to be taken by all breeders to prevent spreading Genetic Diseases uncontrolled throughout the breed. |
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| To me a none OES professional (Archie is a lovely family pet - that is enough for us) and very new to the world of dog ownership in general.
As someone buying (as opposed to taking in a rescue with possibly known medical issues) a puppy it would be nice to be fully informed of the risks in buying into a family line. The idea has high merit IMHO Whether it would be a success? initially possibly not but as time presses on it would make complete sense to people I believe. Breeders themselves would also know what was at risk surely that can only be a good thing? Who would transparency hurt after all? |
dairymaid wrote: An international database would also give breeders the possibility to research on dogs they would like to use for stud purposes and stud dog owners the same chance to research up on a breed bitch. Time is spent discussing about a docking ban where at the same time we should be spending more time with each other trying to get to grips with all the health problems that can be found in this wonderful breed.
Maybe some of you will give this a little thought then it can be heard we can always breed these diseases back out but when will it start and with which goal do they intend achieving ? I sincerely hope for the sake of our breed things change over the next few years and it would be nice to see an international database containing all information over the dogs. Stewart, there already is such a database under development - it's called the OESCA Open Health Registry. It was never meant to just cover known CA status, but rather to be expanded to include additional diseases. Right now they are working on expanding it to cover certain cancers. It is international in the sense that it is open to all OES, though of course it is administered by the American OES Club. One drawback in terms of thoroughness is that it does not contain information regarding those diseases for which there are screening tests. It can certainly accommodate these - I work off of the same software and I add that information in my private database and can print pedigrees that cover all if I'm willing to do the work - though they decided not to duplicate the efforts of the existing (American, though) registry, OFA, and from it, CHIC. All of that information is available, but as it stands it becomes up to the individual to collect it from the two sources and put it together. Having the infrastucture is important, but means nothing if owners & breeders don't utilize it by releasing all information. And with the state and the size of the gene pool right now, it's too late to even dream about "breeding away from" many of the more widespread issues in our breed. We've already reached a point where, whether we realize it or not, we are (hopefully) selecting for lesser health evils. I look at pedigrees as I'm contemplating whether or not it's even worth breeding my bitch and there is not one that I don't have to stop and think, OK, can I live with THIS risk, do I want to open myself up to having to live with "this", and what about "this", which is behind my own bitch and I can't risk doubling up on "that" and... And I'm not talking just the issues we regularly hear of (hips, eyes, thyroid, deafness, CA etc), some of which we can screen for, but the more hush-hush things like the autoimmune mediated diseases which scare the living daylights out of me, along with high rates of certain cancers in young and middle-aged dogs, or even those which are often considered more "nusiance" diseases, but which I personally don't want to have to live with because in addition to the stress on owner and dog they can render a performance dog useless, like allergies and sensitive guts. Never mind that you still have to keep in mind sound structure & type. All of the health information should ideally be captured in an open database, though some things are harder to define medically and will probably never be covered - for a database to be reliable only issues which have a very clear, definitive universally accepted diagnostic standard with a reasonably well understood genetic basis can be used. Your point is valid, whether the OESCA database is expanded, or perhaps all of the national breed clubs all get together and create something even more far reaching. It is as you say the single most pressing issue in the breed right now. Ironically, it will probably make breeding harder, not easier. But ultimately at least less of a crap shoot. Kristine |
| Two of my dogs, past and present came from a premier breeder. Over the years I got to know the breeder and heard many stories indirectly. All the stories were of success, glory, and dedication to the breed. It showed in the beautiful, well tempered OES that originated from her kennel.
Then I heard a story that was unsettling. Back in the day, my glorious breeder that could do no wrong to an OES selectively put down litters of puppies!  I considered the source who may have a bit of animosity toward my breeder and decided to look for all the information.
What I found was more respect for my breeder. I spoke with people who knew that breeder well and heard the heartbreak suffered when finding a genetic issue in the line that caused the dog a long and debilitating road to death. I heard how the breeder, took a huge financial hit and neutered dogs/bitch's that were potential carriers. I cried, just like my breeder did when told that indeed some pups had to be put down. Worst, I heard the scorn from the OES community when the breeder identified a line that carried the gene and then would not breed into it. The heartbreak was at every turn for this breeder with little or no support from the people that should appreciate this action the most. All I could think was shame on these shallow, thoughtless people that would rather ignore the 800 pound Gorilla than take action to protect the breed that is their life. On the positive side, today this breeders line is everything a healthy OES should be. Unfortunately, the line will pass as the breeder is getting older and cannot continue to be a guardian of our beloved OES. I don't give a rat's behind over tails or appropriate coat styles. We should put all that energy used in debating the cosmetic toward what is truly important, commitment to a sound and healthy dog. After all, it is about the dog, not us. |
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