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Health Tests prior to Breeding

UK - Testing Protocols:

The recommendation is that the sire and dam should have the following tests prior to mating:

  • Blood and Urinalysis in accordance with the Testing Protocols

  • 2Eye tested (eye certificate - issued annually).

  • 2Hip scored (this need only be done once in a dog’s lifetime).

  • Degenerative Myelopathy Test (DM) (Optional)

  • Genetic PLN-Associated Variant Genes Test (this need only be done once in a dog’s lifetime). For more information go to the PLN Gene Testing page.

  • PLN - Understanding Breeding Combinations (a Breeders Tool - pdf)

  • DNA Storage, further information on this page:

2 These are part of the British Veterinary Association Health (BVA) Schemes, go to the appropriate BVA page on their website.

The UK Kennel Club offer a facility to check the health tests which the sire and dam have recorded with them. Click this mateselect link for more information

See also Testing Puppies and Hip Dysplasia pages for further relevant information.

 

A valuable resource is the SCWTCA Endowment Inc. pedigree and health database - details of which can be found on this page.

 

USA – Testing Protocols:

SCWTCA members must follow the requirements of the SCWTCA Code of Ethics

  • Blood and urinalysis in accordance with the ‘Testing Protocols – Adult Dogs’

  • PLN-Associated Variant Genes Test (this need only be done once in a dog’s lifetime) - information on SCWTCA website

    PLN - Understanding Breeding Combinations (a Breeders Tool - pdf)

  • Hip & Eye testing (including Microphthalmia optional)

  • Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) optional

 

All Countries - PLN-Associated Variant Genes Test:

No matter the result of your dog’s DNA test, health testing, at least annually is still advised.

  • If your dog’s results are Heterozygous (i.e. having 1 copy of the variant alleles), in addition to regular blood and urine screening tests, beginning at age 2-4 years a UPC (or MA if in USA), might be checked every 6 months. If abnormalities are found, further testing is warranted.

  • If your dog’s results are Homozygous Positive (i.e. having 2 copies of the variant alleles), in addition to regular blood and urine screening tests, beginning at age 2 years a UPC (or MA if in USA), is recommended minimally every 6 months. If abnormalities are found, further testing is warranted.

  • If you have not had DNA testing done, it is recommended you follow the guidelines for a Homozygous Positive dog. For more information on DNA testing visit the DNA testing page

  • If your results are Clear By Parentage – This means that if both parents have been DNA tested clear for a disease, Breed Clubs and the SCWT Endowment Inc., Pedigree and Health Database will follow guidelines which will declare offspring clear by virtue of the fact that the parents tested clear. However, the Policy as given on the SCWTCA Endowment Health and Pedigree database. is on this link (pdf opens in new tab)

    December 2021 - Further details from OFA can be found on SCWTCA Endowment Final Newsletter on this pdf link (appears on Page 4)