Breed Council Meeting April 2005
DNA Research Project
In January 2003, Alex Little wrote a letter to the OES Club Of Scotland about eye problems in the breed and this was brought to the attention of the Breed Council at it’s meeting in April 2003.
I wrote an article in the Yours Faithfully magazine in January 2004 about recessive genes and hereditary eye problems. I have a few copies here for anyone who wants to read it.
In this article, I wrote about the DNA technology now becoming available.
This is what I wrote
DNA Technology.
The news that the mapping of the canine genetic code is complete is a hugely significant milestone on the journey to eradicate hereditary disease. The Kennel Club is embracing this new technology with The KC Health Foundation Fund, which has been created to provide funding for research leading to the development of DNA tests for the use in the identification and control of inherited diseases in dogs.
The availability of such tests will provide for the first time a method of identifying carriers of recessive genes.
The idea is that Breed Clubs and Councils wishing to investigate a particular condition should collaborate with a scientific laboratory and submit a research proposal for funding to the Foundation Fund. The proposal should include the scientific justification, the planned research route and the overall sum of money requested. The intent is that the Clubs and Councils will have done some fundraising and that the amount sought would be a top up funding.
Last year the Kennel Club’s Health Foundation made grants totalling £150.000 for medical research. The Animal Health Trust received funding for research on 4 inherited eye conditions in different breeds. This included funding for research into hereditary cataract in the American Cocker Spaniel and the Staffordshire BullTerrier.
The availability of a DNA test allows a much more subtle manipulation of breeding programmes to reduce the frequency of a particular defect whilst retaining some of the positive features present.
If a bitch is identified as a carrier using a DNA test, rather than removing this bitch from the breed’s gene pool, potential mates can be screened to identify that they are clear. If a clear dog and a carrier bitch are mated approximately half of the offspring will be carriers and the other half will be totally clear of the disease gene, so there will be no clinically affected dogs in the litter. The offspring can then be DNA tested at about four to five weeks of age to show which of them are carriers and which of them are genetically clear puppies, thereby removing hereditary eye condition from the breeding stock but at the same time retaining many of the positive features that are on offer. Breeders will be working towards having a completely clear population in the future.
Dr Jeff Sampson, the Kennel Club Canine Genetics Co-ordinator, who is now based at The Animal Health Trust research centre, will give seminars on the subject of hereditary eye conditions and DNA testing.
Whether the research on the American Cocker or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier breeds will help with research into the same hereditary eye condition as in the Old English Sheepdog, I do not know.
To fund a research programme is really expensive but this could be subsidised (as described above) by the Kennel Club Health Foundation Fund, if the breed puts forward a good case.
In the future, if the Old English Sheepdog Clubs decide that the problem of hereditary eye disease needs to be eradicated, a lot of fundraising would need to be done.
The Kennel Club is very much behind this initiative, and hopes to work with the breed clubs and the scientific community to maximise the benefit of this new DNA technology.
The future health of the Old English Sheepdog may lie in this course of action to rid our shrinking gene pool of its carriers and provide future breeders with the amazing opportunity to breed healthy dogs. If a DNA test were available what a wonderful legacy this would be from the present day breed clubs, exhibitors, breeders, and pet owners to leave for future generations of Old English Sheepdogs and their admirers.
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Pauline & Trevor Mills responded to my article and wanted to know how to progress along this DNA research route and now Trevor has been motivated to start fund- raising by means of a sponsored Slim, which he started in January. The Mills have spoken to the KC geneticist Dr Jeff Samson and have gained more information to progress this initiative.
Pauline and Trevor have now also written to all the Breed Clubs in the hope that everyone involved in the breed can now be galvanised to start a fund-raising effort in order that we can embrace this scientific technology an eradicate hereditary cataracts and possibly other hereditary defects within the oes.
The Way Forward. My suggestions
A Seminar
To be given by Dr Jeff Samson from the KC on how the to get the research off the ground and offering complete information and understanding for the breed enthusiasts who are willing to participate with their dogs.
Ideally 100 dogs are required to give DNA samples from 10 family groups.
All the above suggestions do not cost any outlay to generate income.
A record will be kept of all money collected and received and deposited in a Building Society account so it is all above board.
If the fundraising effort was not successful the monies could be distributed back to the Breed clubs.
We will also need people to volunteer their time with assistance, the work does not necessarily have to fall into the laps of our already hard stretched committees.
A health sub-committee could be formed for the organisation of this project but advice could be sought from Dr Jeff Samson on this matter.
I have put all this together for your consideration in the hope that the member clubs of the Breed Council will endorse this project to protect and secure the health and welfare of our wonderful breed, The Old English Sheepdog.
And I repeat as I concluded my article, if a DNA test was available what a wonderful legacy this would be from the present day breed clubs, exhibitors, breeders, and pet owners to leave for future generations of Old English Sheepdogs and their admirers.