HEALTH TESTING

Bahn was removed from our breeding program, spayed, and placed in a wonderful pet home after she failed her CERF exam in August 2010 due to a cataract. Cataracts are one of the most common health issues in the German Pinscher and they are commonly diagnosed around 4 years of age at which time most quality GP’s have been bred. As of this date (Nov. 2011) there has not been a genetic marker identified for cataracts in the GP, however there is ongoing research in this field. Until such time that a DNA test is developed for cataracts, it will be the responsiblity of breeders to test their breeding dogs yearly and use good judgment in breeding decisions. We recently imported dogs from lines that are clear of inherited vWD, eye, heart and hip diseases for several generations to use with our lines, which are known cataract carriers. By breeding these imported GP’s with our males, we retain the type and temperament that we feel best fits the GP Standard and increase the percentage of GP’s produced which will be clear of inherited eye disease.

German Pinschers are a healthy, long-lived breed.

The main concerns among GP Breeders are:

*Cataracts – Inheritable that cause vision loss

*Canine Von Willebrand’s disease – inherited blood disorder

*Hip Dysplasia

*Heart conditions

The Canine Health Information Center works with Parent Clubs to determine health screening protocols for each breed. Fortunately the German Pinscher is one of the CHIC breeds. Detailed information regarding the health screening criteria for German Pinschers can be found at this link.

The health screening criteria required to obtain a CHIC number are:

EYES – C.E.R.F. Test http://www.vmdb.org/history.html

HIPS – O.F.A. http://www.offa.org/purpose.html or PennHIP Test http://research.vet.upenn.edu/pennhip/GeneralInformation/WhatisPennHIP/tabid/3232/Default.aspx

vWD – vetGen

DNA Test http://www.vetgen.com/canine-vwd.html

The following health exams are recommended but not required by CHIC:

CARDIAC: It is highly recommended that the Cardiac exams are performed by a Veterinary Cardiologist http://www.offa.org/cardiac_exam.html

THYROID: OFA Information on Thyroid Testing can be found at: http://www.offa.org/thy_proc.html

*Required for Puppy Icon on GPCA Breeders List

Below are additional DNA Tests which are available for German Pinschers:

COAT COLOR D-LOCUS DNA TEST (Dilute Coat)

D Locus (DNA marker tested – C.22G>A)

Associated with the dilution or lightening effect of the solid colors Black and Brown, with D being the dominant allele, the dd genotype results in the diluted effect.

Possible Genotypes:

DD – does not carry dilute

Dd – dilute carrier

dd – dilute phenotype

http://www.vetdnacenter.com/canine-dna-coat-color.html

D Locus

The D locus is the primary locus associated with diluted pigment, which results in coats that would otherwise be black or brown instead showing up as gray, or blue in the case of black, and pale brown or Isabella in the case of brown. The melanophilin gene has recently been shown to be responsible, but not all of the dilute causing mutations have been identified yet.

COAT COLOR B-LOCUS DNA TEST (Chocolate Coat)

B Locus (DNA markers tested – S41C, P345Pel, Q331X)

Associated with the presence of chocolate (also commonly referred to as liver or brown). The bb genotype usually results in a chocolate coat phenotype and liver noses among yellow dogs.

Possible Genotypes:

BB – does not carry brown

Bb – brown carrier

Bb2 – brown carrier

bb – brown phenotype

http://www.vetdnacenter.com/canine-dna-coat-color.html

The B locus is responsible for the presence of brown, chocolate, or liver animals. It is also responsible for nose color. The gene associated with this locus is known as TYRP1. In breeds where the A locus does not come into play, any animal that has at least one B allele (and is not “ee”), will be black in pigmented coat. Those dogs, which have two copies of any of several b alleles will be brown. There are at least three such b alleles. Regardless of other loci, any animal with at least one B allele will have a black nose and pads, while those with any two b alleles will have a liver nose and pads.

This test analyzes whether an animal has 0, 1 or 2 copies of the mutations typically responsible for brown, which is also known in some breeds as liver, chocolate, sedge, and less frequently, red. There are three primary “b” mutations that are responsible for nearly every liver or chocolate dog.

Link to Coat Color Predictor Chart offered by DDC Veterinary: http://www.vetdnacenter.com/login/login/files/coat-color-predictor.pdf

Health screening testing is offered at many All-Breed dog shows at reasonable prices. You can download the following O.F.A. forms by clicking on a link below. Completing them prior to the testing saves a lot of time and prevents errors.

O.F.A. Individual Application Forms

Congenital Cardiac

Congenital Deafness

Craniomandibular Osteopathy

DNA Based Genetic Disease

DNA Application for UC-DAVIS VGL Test Results for PDE and MLS

Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (Cairn, West Highland White Terriers)

Gonioscopy Application (Basset Hounds)

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia

Holter (Boxers)

Holter Addendum for Doberman Pinschers (required for Doberman CHIC)

Kidney (Airedale Terriers, Bull Terriers, Mini Bull Terriers)

Kidney (Norwegian Elkhounds)

Legg-Calve-Perthes

Legg-Calve-Perthes From Existing OFA HD Number

Patellar Luxation

Sebaceous Adenitis

Serum Bile (Scottish Deerhounds, Yorkshire Terriers)

Shoulder Osteochondrosis

Spine (Anecdotal database for Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers)

Thyroid

Tracheal Hypoplasia (Bulldog-type breeds)