| From what I read on the one website. there are DNA tests availible to see if your dog is a either free of certain traits, a carrier for certain traits and determine if those certain traits are recessive or dominant. For example, the one lab is offering Linked Marker tests to screen for Retinal Dysplasia is Shih Tzu dogs. I looked through their website and they don't currently offer tests for CHD in rotties but they are looking for people to volunteer their dog's DNA sample (taken from the cheek) from families of two or more puppies affected with the disease. They still need about 50 more samples before they get their target of 100 specimens. If you kbow of anyone who would like to donate, email me and I'll give you the website. I was'nt sure if I could give it out here because they are a business. It would be nice to eventually have all breeding stock tested so breeders would know down to a percentage the chances of producing affected puppies. While we are on the subject, how far do you think genetics should go? In the next five years it may become possible to map out all the flaws and faults in our breed and determine who was clear and who was affected. They have coat color predictions availible now for several breeds, what is next? If they have managed to map out the four alleles that determine coat color, who knows what else we are capable of?  |