We test our breeding dogs for many things.
DNA Health
We do a complete DNA panel for each of our breeding dogs. There are multiple sections and a total of more than 200 diseases that they check for.
Full Embark Panel, Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1A), DNA Coat/Trait Panel, DNA Profile, DNA Disease Panel, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Generalized, Primary Lens Luxation (PLL), Genetic Diversity Test.
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).
AKC DNA
AKC DNA refers to the American Kennel Club's (AKC) DNA Profile Program, which uses DNA samples to verify parentage and establish genetic identity for purebred dogs.
How does it work?
- Owners or breeders collect a DNA sample from the dog's cheek
- The sample and a $55 check is sent to Neogen the AKC's DNA Program service provider
- Neogen processes the sample and enters the genotype into the AKC DNA Database
- The dog receives an AKC DNA Profile with a unique DNA Profile number
Why is it important?
- The AKC DNA Program helps ensure the accuracy of the AKC Registry
- It helps breeders and owners identify and avoid concerns about parentage
- It helps strengthen breeding programs
Serum Bile Acid
A relatively newly discovered disease is MVD. This is a liver disorder that mainly affects small breeds and has been identified in a few AHT’s (none of mine). The American Hairless Terrietr Club of America is currently gathering data from individuals that show elevated liver blood levels for further research. Currently, the test being done is called a Bile Acid Test. It is recommended by several breeders, but is not currently on the list as required for CHIC certification.
OFA
| Cardiac Evaluation | One of the following: Standard Congenital Cardiac Exam. Results registered with OFA. Advanced Cardiac Exam Basic Cardiac Exam |
| Hip Dysplasia | One of the following: OFA Radiographic Hip Evaluation PennHIP Evaluation. Results registered with OFA. |
| Patellar Luxation | Veterinary Evaluation of Patellar Luxation. Results registered with OFA. |
| Legg-Calve-Perthes | OFA Legg-Calve-Perthes Radiographic Evaluation |
| Congenital Deafness | B.A.E.R. hearing test. Results registered with OFA. |
| Primary Lens Luxation | DNA based PLL test from an approved lab |
| ACVO Eye Exam | (Optional but recommended) Annual Eye Examinations until 8 years (96 months) old . Results registered with OFA |
| Elbow Dysplasia | (Optional but recommended) OFA Radiographic Elbow Evaluation |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test | (Optional but recommended) DNA based prcd-PRA test from an approved lab |
UC Davis Breed Diversity Study
Genetic Diversity Testing for American Hairless Terrier Overview The Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL), in collaboration with Dr. Niels C. Pedersen and staff, has developed a panel of short tandem repeat (STR) markers to determine genetic heterogeneity and diversity across the genome and in the Dog Leukocyte Antigen (DLA) class I and II regions for specified dog populations. This test panel is useful to dog breeders who wish to use DNAbased testing to track and distribute genetic diversity as a supplement to in-depth pedigrees. Information on genetic heterogeneity and diversity, along with DNA testing results for desired phenotypes and health traits, can aid in informing breeding decisions in order to improve the overall genetic health of a breed. Genetic diversity testing in the American Hairless Terrier has been established, and almost all existing alleles at the 33 STR loci and 7 DLA class I and II regions have potentially been identified. As of December of 2022, 179 American Hairless Terriers from the United States (n = 147), Czech Republic (n = 21), Finland (n = 6), and Belgium (n = 5) were tested to assess genetic diversity in the breed. Allele and DLA haplotype frequencies will be updated as more dogs are tested. Results reported as: Short tandem repeat (STR) loci: A total of 33 STR loci from different regions of the genome were used to assess genetic heterogeneity and existing genetic diversity within an individual as well as across the breed. The alleles inherited from each parent are displayed graphically to highlight heterozygosity and genetic diversity in individuals as well as breed-wide. DLA haplotypes: Seven STR loci linked to DLA class I and II genes were used to assess genetic diversity within a region that regulates immune responses and self/non-self-recognition. Problems with self/non-self-recognition, along with environmental factors, are responsible for autoimmune disease, allergies, and susceptibility to infectious agents. Internal Relatedness (IR): The IR value is a measure of the genetic relatedness of an individual's parents. The value takes into consideration both heterozygosity of alleles at each STR loci and their relative frequency in the population. Therefore, IR values heterozygosity over homozygosity and uncommon alleles over common alleles. IR values are unique to each dog; two individuals from different sources may have identical IR values, but a quite different genetic makeup.