Juvenile Renal Dysplasia Genetic Testing - Page 1

This is just a broad question for breeders out there. I am very curious with genetic testing so I am trying to understand the why's and why nots of doing these tests. I do not personally own a dog with this nor have I ever, but I have seen an increase in JRD through our breed, both with friend's dogs and on other forums.

Do you test your dogs to see if the are JRD carriers? Why or why not? Here is the link to the company that does these tests:
www.dogenes.com.


*Disclaimer*
This is only because of my interest in genetics. This has nothing to do with myself or my dogs.

In my opinion a majority of breeders are drawn towards denial when it comes to DNA Tests. They will think of numerous reasons (excuses) why they  should not or need not have their dogs DNA tested for any particular disease. These will include doubting the integrity of the DNA Test, even though it has been scientifically published and therefore open to scientific challenge, right though to "this disease is not a problem in my breed or my lines". Basically they are afraid of finding it in their dogs and the potential consequences. These consequences would include castigation by other breeders (who do not do the DNA test themselves) in order to give the impression that they are "clear in their dogs" and of course to place and keep focus on someone else who has done the DNA test and proved their dogs have it. For these reasons I have always advocated COMPULSORY DNA Testing, determined by the National Breed Clubs and supported/enforced by the Kennel Clubs.  IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN because breeders stick together on such things and persecute those who step out of line.

Bump.

Thank you for your post Videx. I actually just referred someone to your site whose 6 month old GSD pup was diagnosed by wedge biopsy with JRD (or RD as the true name is). His pup's kidney function is less than 25% and has been confirmed as congenital.

I have an aquaintance that lost his pup at 9 months to this same disease. I also remember all too well last year when another GSD owner was looking for a kidney for their pup with this.

I do have to agree with you Videx. When a breeder tests for something, or even produces something, and chooses not to hide it, they do become ridiculed and lose business. I don't think this is right. I would rather have a breeder tell me what their dogs carry or have produced instead of a breeder that does not test or tries to hide something. Pups end up getting sold with these unknown illnesses because of this.

I also hear frequently, "This DNA test isn't trustworthy". Why isn't it trustworthy? It is testing the dogs actual DNA. Is it not trustworthy because you just do not want to waste your time or is it that you just truly do not want to know? How can it harm the breeding operation if you actually test your dogs so as not to produce something?

This test must be very new? Again very informative post. DNA will put a person on death row or free them from it. I believe in it.

B.Anderson, I believe it came out around 2009.

For those that would like to know, it is passed as dominant with incomplete penetrance and only takes 1 parent to pass it on.

Yes I read the articles and understand the genetics of this disorder.I just emailed the lab we use and asked them about the availability. The price break on 10 tests from dogenes is a big savings.

I was hoping others here would join the discussion. Anyone? Thoughts?

How do the breed clubs determine what is a 'problem' within the breed? I personally find the GSD BC very lax in terms of health initiatives. At the moment I doubt the breed club for the GSD would put forward JRD.  Any more than it would PD or perhaps even DM.  Are you testing for those now Videx? Still very few in the UK seem to be, despite tests being available and a known problem in the breed.

IMO tests should be compulsory and the results published purely to get an accurate reflection of how great a problem or not specific conditions are within a breed so that strategies can be devised if necessary.

The majority of the research for this is on poodles and shih-tzu's. These breeds have the biggest problem with JRD. However, I have seen many GSD's die from this before they are even a year old. It's horrible. The decline tends to be so fast that the owners don't even have a chance to catch their breath.