Breeding Away from Inherited Diseases
…where DNA tests have been developed for Simple Recessive Diseases Karen Hedberg BVSc 2006 Of the 400 odd diseases in the dog that are inherited or have significant inherited components, more than half are believed to be single gene defects, and around 70% of these, are inherited as in a simple autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Because so many of the canine genetic disease conditions are as a result of single gene defects, there is great hope that eventually there may be many DNA disease specific tests available to dog breeders. Similar diseases within related breeds often have...
Read MoreBest Breeding Practices
Best Breeding Practices for the Australian Stumpy Tailed Cattle Dog The recognised inherited diseases in the Stumpy at present include the following:- Deafness Hips and elbows Eyes – PRA (PRCD), Eyes – other conditions. Deafness– as a breed that is born white, deafness and our awareness of the problem must remain constant. It is recommended that BAER testing of all puppies between the ages of 6-8 weeks is done to sort out the hearing from the deaf puppies but more importantly the unilaterals.Unilaterals – it has been proven that breeding with unilaterals results in a much higher...
Read MoreProgressive Vision Loss
I have been involved in the ASTCD for more than 20 years, while maintaining a continuing interest in the health of both the ASTCD and ACD. I have always done annual eye certificate examinations through an ophthalmologist and in 1999 I started asking questions and researching prcd-PRA, the recognised genetic variant responsible for most cases of spontaneous vision loss in the ACD. PRA is a progressive disease which causes total blindness, often in younger dogs. Because I needed clear answers to assist with my own breeding choices in Stumpies (with a much smaller working gene pool), I began...
Read MoreHips and Elbows
Hip and elbow X-rays are a routine part of Ambajaye’s checks for health and soundness. Preliminary X-rays of young pups are not accepted for hip and elbow scoring under the Australian Veterinary Association scheme. These X-rays are evaluated by a competent and experienced veterinarian. All breeding stock at Ambajaye are hip and elbow scored. The AVA follows the hip and elbow scoring protocols developed by the British Veterinary Association and the Kennel Club (UK). Hip and elbow problems in the dog are described on the BVA web site...
Read MoreDeafness in the ASTCD
ALL PUPPIES are BAER-tested at Ambajaye at seven (7) weeks of age. All breeding stock are also BAER tested and must have full hearing. Congenital deafness is observed in more than 85 breeds of dog, including the Australian Cattle Dog (ACD) and the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog (ASTCD). The prevalence in ACD populations is as high as 15% (including bilaterally and unilaterally deaf dogs—this will be explained later), and although there is no data available on the prevalence in ASTCDs it can be assumed to be similar to that of ACDs for a number of reasons. Firstly, ASTCDs share a common...
Read MoreColour in the ASTCD
The inheritance of coat colour in the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog (and in his long-tailed cousin, the Australian Cattle Dog) is complex. The inheritance of colour in both breeds is described by Dr Helen Hewson-Fruend and Noreen Clark at www.adcb.au.com. Miscolour (coat colour that is unacceptable in terms of the Breed Standard) occurs in both breeds. In the ASTCD the most common miscolours appear to be: tan points, chocolate, cream, and white. Miscoloured ASTCDs should not, of course be used for breeding. However, it is evident that many excellent ASTCDs carry miscolour. The ASTCD...
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