Since March 2008, we have been able to test for Cerebellar Ataxia through the Animal Health Trust.  We are now reaching the time when tested dogs may appear further back in pedigrees so the Health Committee would like to remind all breeders and stud dog owners of the recommendations for testing.

 

Any dog used for breeding (this includes all imported dogs and bitches, British dogs that are used at stud abroad or whose semen is used for AI) should have all lines tested no further back than 3 generations.  So when looking at a 3 generation pedigree, you should not be able to trace a path through that dog’s pedigree without hitting a tested dog (think of the UK TV game Blockbusters).  Click Read More for some examples

 

If a carrier is to be bred, IT MUST BE MATED TO A CLEAR DOG OR BITCH.  This must be a TESTED CLEAR dog and not a dog cleared by deduction.  All puppies in the litter must be tested, while the litter is still with the breeder. 

 

Breeders must make available copies of the certificates for both parents of the litter for inspection by prospective owners.  In the case of dogs cleared by descent (i.e. progeny of two clear dogs) breeders must have available a copy of the certificates for the appropriate ancestors. 

 

Example 1  this dog is ok to breed from without being tested as there is no path through the 3 generation pedigree without hitting a tested dog.  The breeder should have copies of the test certificates for Harry, George, Jane and Diana to show to prospective owners

 

Tom	Harry (tested)	Bob
		Sue
	Lizzie	George (tested)
		Jane (tested)
Diana (tested)	Dick	Roger
		Joanna
	Wendy	John
		Helga

 

Example 2  this dog should be tested before breeding as there are 2  paths through the 3 generation pedigree with no tested dogs. 

Diana … Wendy … John

Diana … Wendy … Helga

Tom	Harry	Bob (tested)
		Sue (tested)
	Lizzie (tested)	George
		Jane
Diana	Dick (tested)	Roger
		Joanna
	Wendy	John
		Helga