Saarloos Wolfdog Dwarfism DNA Research
The first thing every Saarloos Wolfdog owner and breeder needs to realise is that dwarfs are probably just the tip of an iceberg. Just like the German Shepherd Dog, the vast majority of hypopituitarism in this breed probably does not show itself as dwarfs but as stillborn and fading puppies. The German Shepherd Dog and the Saarloos Wolfdog share significant common ancestry. The Saarloos Wolfdog has a history of small litters with a significant number of still-born and fading puppies, so breeders may not immediately associate increased losses with dwarfism. It is also quite possible that some normal size relatives may have intermediate (that is low to low-normal) hormone levels similar to the dwarfs, as has been found in the GSD.
The second thing every owner and breeder needs to know is that there now exists a research project based in The Netherlands which is dedicated to finding the defective gene or genes responsible for this crippling condition using DNA analysis. Once the genes have been identified it is then hoped to produce a DNA based diagnostic test which will enable breeders to determine whether their breeding animals carry this serious defect or not.For the last few years we have been asking for blood samples
from dwarfs and their relatives. The time has come when we can now say this is
no longer necessary because we have enough genetic material to complete the DNA
analysis, which has advanced rapidly since the first full family blood samples
first allowed full genome scanning for this important genetic defect. We would
like to thank all the owners and breeders who have sent in blood samples from
around the world over the last few years, with special thanks to those breeders
who provided full family samples including the sire. The chances that this
defect will be formally identified in 2008 are now excellent...
Meanwhile, there is still a need to identify those bloodlines which carry this
mutation so that future DNA screening can be targeted at those lines known to be
affected.
So if you would like to share pedigrees and/or images of Saarloos dwarfs then
please do still get in touch. Any information you provide will be held in total
secrecy for research purposes or you can choose whether to publish any item on
the internet. As we can now be more confident than ever that Sarrloos dwarfism
is a simple recessive mutation, which means that BOTH parents carry the defect,
and that about 50% of their offspring will carry the defect unseen, then it is important that ethical breeders do come forward and identify both
sides of their affected pedigrees - the best way is to publish them on the
internet for all to see...
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© John R. Walker - Sunday, 25 May 2008
