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In early 2004 a new DNA test for prcd-PRA was made available by OptiGen in the United States. We are pleased to say that our small kennel were the second UK kennel to OptiGen test all our dogs in May 2004. Since that time we have tested all our dogs (apart from the ones that have two Normal/Clear tested parents.) Although we have tested all our dogs, only the dogs forming part of our breeding programme are listed on this page, for our other dogs results please see their own pages. With recessive conditions like PRA, there are 3 genetic categories, affected, normal and carriers. Affected animals have two copies of the faulty PRA gene, one inherited from each parent. Carrier animals have one faulty copy of the PRA gene but appear perfectly healthy and cannot be distinguished from normal dogs by eye screening. Normal animals are entirely free of the faulty gene.
The
problem with relying on the KC/BVA Scheme is that breeders have no way of identifying which category their
breeding stock falls into as the BVA Panellist examining the dogs eyes can
only determine if a dog is clinically
clear of the disease at the time of examination. If the dog is
not showing any signs of PRA at the time of the examination, the KC/BVA test
cannot determine whether the
dog is a carrier or whether the dog is affected and will go on to develop the disease at
some time in the future. All our dogs are tested & we are pleased to say that we have no affected
dogs. Clear/Normal (A1) dogs will never develop the disease and
are not carriers of prcd PRA & can't pass this disease onto their offspring.
Carrier (B1) dogs will also never develop this disease & provided they are mated
to Normal/Clear dogs, none of their offspring will develop the disease either. Breeding with "carrier" dogs has been only undertaken with
"normal/clear" partners, this has ensured that no "affected"
offspring have been produced. Puppies resulting from this
combination have been OptiGen tested.
With the WISE use of this test, mating "carriers" to "normal/clear" is
not a problem.
Every breed needs genetic diversity, restricting
breeding's to "normal/clear" x "normal/clear" will result in the
loss of many otherwise beneficial bloodlines. The OptiGen
test enables breeders to rid their lines of the possibility of
producing affected animals without losing other desirable
attributes, it is vitally important not to lose
quality within the gene pool whilst eradicating any disease. Offspring resulting from the mating of two "normal/clear"
parents will automatically be "homozygous normal" for prcd-PRA. For more information about OptiGen, please click
here!
Results
using the OptiGen prcd test
For a list of results for all dogs (all Cocker Spaniels, not just Powerscourt cockers) tested please click here! Please note, the results currently listed for our dogs are only the results of dogs still connected to our breeding programme and have been submitted voluntarily). From the 1st July the Kennel Club will automatically update the list with test results. The information contained on this page is copyright to Powerscourt Cocker Spaniels. It must not be reproduced in any shape or form. |
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