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C.S.N.B
Congenital Stationary Night Blindness
This is an inherited eye
problem discovered in British Briards a few years ago although it is well
documented in North America and Europe. We are fortunate to have a D.N.A.
test available in this country via the Animal Health Trust (A.H.T.)
www.aht.org.uk
Buccal swabs can be obtained
by phoning the A.H.T. on 0870 0509144 or email
swab.request@aht.org.uk there is really no excuse for not having
breeding stock tested as one test covers a Briard for life. Indeed this is
a condition/rule of membership of our Club.
We have the knowledge to
breed safely and responsibly with regard to C.S.N.B. and the following may
also be of use as a reminder of how the inheritance works for this problem.
Each parent passes on one
gene to its offspring. The status of that gene will be either affected,
carrier or clear. Thus:
1. Affected mated to affected
will produce 100% affected puppies (heaven forbid!)
2. Affected to carrier will produce 50% affected and 50%
carriers (not advisable!)
3. Affected to clear will produce 100% carriers (OK?)
4. Carrier to carrier will produce 25% affected, 25% clear
and 50% carrier. (not advisable)
5. Carrier to clear will produce 50% carrier and 50% clear
(OK)
6. Clear to clear will produce 100% clear (wonderful, and no
need to test the puppies as they will all be genetically/hereditarily
clear.)
The aim is obviously never to breed another affected Briard thus examples
1, 2, and 4 should be avoided.
If
you are not fortunate enough to receive a clear test result with your
current breeding stock do not despair as by following example 3 or 5 you can
breed clear stock in one or two generations, which should be the aim of all
breeders. In fact, in the near future, the Club will be approaching the
Kennel Club with a remit from members that NO carriers be used in any mating
from 2015.
If
you wish to use a dog at stud ask the question "has he been tested?",
likewise expect the owner of the stud dog to ask you the same question
regarding your bitch and to see test results or proof of hereditary status.
PUPPY BUYERS SHOULD ALSO ASK THE SAME QUESTION AND
REQUIRE PROOF
Test results are now published by the Kennel Club
and can be found at
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/1136
C.P.R.A.
renamed R.P.E.D. in 1999.
(although still referred to as the former by the
B.V.A.)
The Club organised a free eye test for Briards on 7th December
2008, in conjunction with the Championship Show, to hopefully re-establish
that our breed is no longer affected by this problem.
Thank you to all those who participated. 62 Briards ranging in age from
young puppies to veterans were tested and all were found to be clear of CPRA/RPED
H.D. Hip Dysplasia
Again it is a requirement of the Club that breeding stock is x-rayed, and
scored BEFORE a mating takes place. It may interest you to know that
Briards were the second breed, after the G.S.D., to be scored so we have
been doing this for approximately 30 years!
The maximum possible score under the KC/BVA scheme is 106. Currently our
breed average has been lowered to 18.
In depth information regarding H.D. can be found
at
http://www.bva.co.uk/canine_health_schemes/Canine_Health_Schemes.aspx
Other Health Issues
Currently I am receiving
enquiries mainly regarding skin conditions and cancer.
I will gladly give advice or
receive information on the above or any other health issues connected with
the breed. All information will be treated in confidence if requested,
although feedback is always appreciated and can be helpful to other Briard
owners.
Please call
Linda
Coleman, Breed Health Co-ordinator,
on 01784
483407.
Please download ,complete and return the
health survey
BRITISH BRIARD CLUB HEALTH SURVEY – LITTER
FORM
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