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Post by Dave on Feb 18, 2015 0:38:28 GMT -5
I did some digging on the 2015 BOB winner at Westminster. His pedigree shows his sire is an ataxia carrier. When bred to an ataxia clear dam, the risk is low. But it's still present in some level in the pups. Should dogs that show ataxia carrier be bred? It's a horrible affliction. I have been watching Rocky's ataxia progress, slowly, but I feel that it's something that could disappear in the breed with judicial breedings. The test is accurate. Genetics is well understood. Is a breeder that uses a positive or carrier in its program ethical?
Same thing for other known genetic afflictions. Should a breeder that knowingly uses dogs in its program that are passing on, or could be passing on, genetic faults be allowed to show?
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 18, 2015 7:42:36 GMT -5
Luca's sire was an ataxia carrier as well. The problem is there is such a high number of AmStaffs who are carriers, the number of dogs that would have to be eliminated from the gene pool would be so harmful to the breed.
I've found that AmStaff people are pretty open, or at least starting to be, about the disease, carriers, and diligent with testing. I am hopeful that things will improve for the breed as more and more breeders test and think really hard about who and what they breed. It is a devastating disease.
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Post by Dave on Feb 18, 2015 10:37:47 GMT -5
From the Antagene website, they estimate more than 40% are carriers. That's a lot to me. Are there figures showing how many registered Amstaffs are out there? And I'm sure very few Ambully breeders are screening.
Rocky's ataxia may or may not be inherited since he showed symptoms very early on. It could be from injury, or even sickness in the bitch before he was born.
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 18, 2015 11:06:28 GMT -5
I actually don't know offhand how many registered AmStaffs there are, and the AKC page is down.....
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