*Interpreting Your DNA Test Results for Autosomal Recessive Diseases
There are three possible test results: Clear,
Carrier, and Affected. Below is a description of
what each result means to you as a breeder.
Clear
This finding indicates that the gene is not
present in your dog. Therefore, when used for
breeding, a Clear dog will not pass on the
disease gene.
Carrier
This finding indicates that one copy of the
disease gene is present in your dog, but that it
will not exhibit disease symptoms. Carriers will
not have medical problems as a result. Dogs with
Carrier status can be enjoyed without the fear
of developing medical problems but will pass on
the disease gene 50% of the time.
Affected
This finding indicates that two copies of the
disease gene are present in the dog.
Unfortunately, the dog will be medically
affected by the disease. Appropriate treatment
should be pursued by consulting a veterinarian.
Affected (In the case of vWD Type l**)
This finding indicates that two copies of the
disease gene are present in the dog. These dogs
always have a potential to bleed given the right
circumstance and will always pass on the disease
gene (mutation) to their progeny. Please see the
following page, for more detailed information.
vWD Report Also, inform your veterinarian and
consult with him/her regarding this test result.
** In
the case of Type l vWD - All puppies will be
genetically Affected (see "Notes" below).
Helpful Canine Breeding Chart
The chart provided below outlines the
implications of various breeding pair
combinations. Remember, it is always best to
breed "Clear to Clear". If followed by all
breeders, these strategies will ensure a
significant reduction in the frequency of the
targeted disease gene in future generations of
dogs. However, to maintain a large enough pool
of good breeding stock, it may be necessary for
some breeders to breed "Clear" to "Carriers"
(see below).
|
Clear Male |
Carrier Male |
Affected Male |
|
|
Clear Female |
100% Clear |
50/50 Carrier/Clear |
100% Carrier |
|
Carrier Female |
50/50 Carrier/Clear |
25/50/25 Clr./Carr./Affctd. |
50/50 Carrier/Affected |
|
Affected Female |
100% Carrier |
50/50 Carrier/Affected |
100% Affected |
Ideal Breeding Pair - Puppies will not have the disease gene (neither as Carrier nor as Affected).
Breeding Is Safe - No Affected puppies will be produced. However, some or all puppies will be Carriers. Accordingly, it is recommended that Carrier dogs which are desirable for breeding be bred with Clear dogs in the future, which will produce 50% carrier and 50% clear animals, to further reduce the disease gene frequency. These offspring should be tested by VetGen's test for this defective gene, and if possible, only the clear animals in this generation should be used.
High Risk Breeding - Some puppies are likely to be Carriers and some puppies are likely to be Affected. Even though it is possible that there will be some clear puppies when breeding "Carrier to Carrier", in general, neither this type of breeding pair nor "Carrier to Affected" are recommended for breeding.
Breeding Not Recommended - All puppies will be genetically and medically affected *
*From VetGen Breeding Strategies