HEALTH & GENETICS INFORMATION
THE PRINCIPLES OF GENETIC DISEASE CONTROL
1. Know that all dogs carry the genes for genetic diseases.
2. Learn about the diseases that affect our dogs. Learn about the
symptoms, the methods of diagnosis, mode of inheritance (MOI) and
treatment.
3. Identify the dogs that are affected with genetic diseases by getting an accurate diagnosis and get autopsies when required.
4. Report the affected dogs to the Open Registry. The database includes
the name of the affected dog, the sire and dam of the affected dog,
litter information, the diagnosis, the age of onset of the disease, how
it was diagnosed and who reported the information.
5. The information on an affected dog can be submitted by the owner of
the dog, the owner of the sire, or the owner of the dam of the affected
dog.
6. Both the sire and dam are considered equal carriers of each disease
UNLESS the mode of inheritance (MOI) is known. A sex-linked trait would
be carried by just one of the pair. A dominant trait would also come
from just one dog. Polygenic traits would be in each dog but in unequal
numbers.
7. The Open Registry is available to everyone and can be accessed at www.wsgenetics.org.
8. The Open Registry can make it possible for each breeder to know what diseases are in the pedigrees of their dogs.
9. Breeders can then use this information to plan breedings to prevent or reduce the incidence of disease.
(The White Shepherd Genetics Project is a separate entity from AWSA)
NEW HEALTH BROCHURE AVAILABLE
This brochure has descriptions of most of the diseases that have been
identified in White Shepherds. It is a valuable diagnostic tool for you
and your vet. It will also help breeders to identify the diseases to
track and select against. Click here to download and print this brochure.
RESULTS of the "1000 White Shepherds" Health Survey
are available here. CLICK HERE to download the report!
To join a discussion list about the results of the Health & Genetics Survey, please click here to go to the Yahoo-groups website and click on "SUBSCRIBE": http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhiteShepherdGenetics
Click here to report any health or genetic condition that your dog may have.
The videotape of the results of the 2000 White Shepherd/White German Shepherd Dog survey presented by Dr. George Padgett is available for purchase as is the presentation he gave at the 2003 AWSA National Specialty Show – The Care of an Open Registry. The Results seminar starts out with an introduction by our then AWSA President, Maurice Seeger and shows a number of White Shepherds belonging to members. The latest video includes some of the AWSA Awards Banquet and ends with the National Best of Breed dogs going around for the judge.
Costs for the videos is $14.00 ($10 for the video plus $4.00 for shipping and handling). Any additional amount included for the White Shepherd Genetics Fund will be appreciated. Checks can be made out to Judy Huston and sent to P. O. Box 2068, Howell, MI. 48844-2068.
For an in-depth study on how to control genetic
defects in dogs, please read Dr. George Padgett’s book,
“The Control of Canine Genetic Diseases.” The ISBN No. Is
0-87605-004-6. Order from Amazon on line or any bookstore.
The following articles have been written by Judy Huston,
AWSA's Health and Genetic Chairperson.
Willard Water, Rescue Remedy, and Apple Cider Vinegar
Below are articles written by others about health and genetic issues that affect the White Shepherd Dog & other breeds
If you know of any White Shepherd or White German Shepherd that belongs on one of these pages, please contact the webmaster.
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