Border Collie, Bordoodle, and Maremma Sheepdog Genetics and Health Testing

2J 2K Ranch keeps up to date with Border Collie genetics, Bordoodle genetics, Poodle genetics, and Maremma Sheepdog genetics. Because research and development are continuously advancing in canine genetics, we ensure our high standards are kept by staying at the forefront of the latest genetic health screenings. Recently, Paw Print Genetics added new tests to the Border Collie Genetic panel and the supplemental Standard Poodle panel.

New tests 2J 2K Bordoodles recently tested our Poodles for:

• Chondrodystrophy (CDDY and IVDD Risk) with or without Chondrodysplasia (CDPA)
• Hereditary Cataracts Aliases: Early-onset cataracts, Juvenile cataracts, HC, JC
• Multidrug Resistance 1 Aliases: Ivermectin sensitivity, MDR1 gene defect, Multidrug sensitivity, MDR1

New tests 2J 2K Border Collies and 2J 2K Bordoodles recently tested our Border Collies for:

• Chondrodystrophy (CDDY and IVDD Risk) with or without Chondrodysplasia (CDPA)
• Dental Hypomineralization 
• Exercise-Induced Collapse Aliases: EIC
• Hyperuricosuria Aliases: Urolithiasis, HUU

Other Border Collie genetic mutations we test for include:

• Collie Eye Anomaly Aliases: Choroidal hypoplasia, CEA, CH
• Intestinal Cobalamin Malabsorption (Border Collie Type) Aliases: Cobalamin deficiency, Cubilin deficiency, Imerslund-Grasbeck syndrome, I-GS
• Multidrug Resistance 1 Aliases: Ivermectin sensitivity, MDR1 gene defect, Multidrug sensitivity, MDR1
• Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 5 (Australian Cattle Dog/Border Collie Type) Aliases: Amaurotic idiocy, Batten disease, NCL, NCL5
• Sensory Neuropathy (Border Collie Type) Aliases: SN
• Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome Aliases: Cohen syndrome, TNS
• Degenerative Myelopathy Aliases: Canine degenerative myelopathy, DM
• Myotonia Congenita (Australian Cattle Dog Type) Aliases: Congenital myotonia, Inherited myotonia, Myotonia, Myotonia hereditaria
• Glaucoma (Border Collie Type) Aliases: BCG

Other Poodle genetic mutations we test for include:

• Degenerative Myelopathy Aliases: Canine degenerative myelopathy, DM
• Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures Aliases: NEWS
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration Aliases: PRA-PRCD, PRCD
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Rod-Cone Dysplasia 4 Aliases: PRA-rcd4
• Von Willebrand Disease I Aliases: Pseudohemophilia, Vascular hemophilia, von Willebrand disease type 1, von Willebrand’s disease, VWDI
• GM2 Gangliosidosis (Poodle Type) Aliases: Sandhoff disease, Type 0 gangliosidosis
• Osteochondrodysplasia Aliases: Skeletal dwarfism, OCD

Maremma Sheepdog genetic mutations 2J 2K Maremma Sheepdogs test for include:

• Degenerative Myelopathy Aliases: Canine degenerative myelopathy, DM

Understanding Canine DNA Test Results

Most of the above tests are autosomal recessive, meaning two copies of the mutated or abnormal gene must be present for the disease, trait, or disorder to develop.

A puppy inherits one copy of a gene from each parent. When no copies of an abnormal gene are in either parent, each parent and the puppy will be genetically clear. Furthermore, the entire litter from two clear parents will be clear.

Whereas, when one copy of a mutation is present in one of the parent’s that parent is a carrier. If one parent is clear and the other parent is a carrier, statistically speaking, 50 percent of their puppies will be carriers, and 50 percent will be clear.

In addition, when a dog, or puppy, is a carrier of an autosomal recessive gene, it will not be affected by the defective gene; it will only carry the disease.

Likewise, a dog who carries a mutation bred to a clear dog will produce no offspring affected by the disease. Moreover, only when a dog, or puppy, has two copies of a faulty gene (one from the father and one from the mother) will they be affected by the disease.

As mentioned above, most of the tests we test our dogs for are autosomal recessive. According to Casey Carl, DVM, and Associate Medical Director, at Paw Print Genetics, the exceptions are:

• Chondrodystrophy (CDDY and IVDD Risk)- Semi-Dominant for leg length decrease (1 copy of mutation may shorten the leg, but two copies cause more shortening) and dominant for increased risk of IVDD.
• Multidrug Resistance 1– Autosomal Incomplete Dominant (some dogs with one copy of the mutation may have adverse drug reactions to problem drugs, and dogs with two copies are significantly affected)
• Chondrodysplasia (CDPA)- Is a trait associated with short legs. This test is included with CDDY testing when ordered from Paw Print Genetics and is listed in the trait section on Canine HealthCheck. CDPA is also inherited in a semi-dominant fashion (like CDDY’s effect on leg length). However, the CDPA mutation is not associated with an increased risk of IVDD.
  

Keeping Carriers In The Gene Pool

When approached responsibly, breeding carriers with clear dogs contribute positively to the gene pool. Indeed breeding healthy carrier dogs with good temperaments help maintain genetic diversity. However, when a breeder uses only clear dogs in a breeding program, they may carry unknown mutations. Undoubtedly, they will pass these undetected defects on to their puppies, affecting future generations. Although no dog is entirely risk-free, a breeder can take ethical and responsible steps to reduce the risk of known and unknown genetic mutations.

Furthermore, it is advisable to judiciously breed from geographically separated areas for a healthier gene pool with more genetic diversity and include imported dogs and dogs from different country regions. Additionally, there is a division within many breeds creating subgroups-such as sport, show, pet, working, hunting, service dog, livestock guardian, guard dog, etc. Introducing health-tested imported dogs or dogs from various health-tested sub-groups into a program allows a breeder to reintroduce genes, thus contributing to genetic preservation. 

In conclusion, at the 2J 2K Ranch, we work with industry leaders to bring our puppy families healthy, well-rounded, joyful canine family members. Notably, our dedication is to raising puppies who are healthy, well-socialized, well-rounded, and who will grow up to be the best dogs and bring absolute delight and happiness into their owner’s lives.

 April 22nd, 2021

By: Kara Marx