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Tests and Clearances

Tests and Clearances

Knowing the status of the dog and the status of the dog’s lineage allows breeders and genetic counselors to decide which matings are the most appropriate for reducing the incidence of disease and disorders in the offspring. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals maintains a document called “The Use of Health Databases and Selective Breeding” which explains the importance of utilizing health tests for our breeding stock. The data on public registries can be used by breeders in determining which dogs are best for their breeding program.

The following is a list of health tests currently required or recommended for screening Tollers in a current breeding program:

  1. CARE EYE EXAM: The dog has a Normal Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER) Exam performed
    annually clearing the dog of hereditary eye problems by a board certified ophthalmologist such as Pacific Animal Eye Specialty Services and Western Canada Veterinary Eye Specialists.
  2. HIP DYSPLASIA: The dog`s hips are X-rayed and evaluated by the board certified radiologists at Orthopedic Foundation for Animals when the Dog is at least 24 months of age and/or by PennHIP. OFA maintains the database. It is encouraged to make all results open to the public.
  3. PRA/CEA/CH: The dog is rated Clear or Carrier with the OptiGen PRA and CEA/CH gene marker tests unless the PARENTS are DNA tested and this offspring is deemed Cleared By Parentage (CBP). The owner agrees never to breed carrier or affected dogs that may produce Progressive Retinal Atrophy or Collie Eye Anomaly/Choroidal Hypoplasia. These results can be included on OFA’s public database through submission via this form.
  4. THYROID: OFA Thyroid Panel test levels are within Normal limits by Hemolife, Michigan State University (MSU), OFA, or Guelph. The results of testing by these laboratories are accepted by OFA and can be included on its database. Screen annually from puberty; test females during anestrus.
  5. CARDIAC: The dog is Certified Normal for Heart disease via an OFA Heart certification (to be performed by a Practitioner/Cardiologist/Specialist)
    after 12 months of age to rule out congenital defects. An Echo Ultrasound Heart Analysis performed and/or Holter 24-48 monitoring of the heart’s electrical activity would be the ideal heart evaluation protocol.
  6. DNA TESTS: The dog has been tested to determine DNA status for:
    a) Juvenile Addison’s Disease (JADD) unless the parents are DNA tested and this offspring is deemed Cleared By Parentage (CBP)
    b) Cleft Palate 1 (CP1) unless the parents are DNA tested and this offspring is deemed Cleared By Parentage (CBP)
    c) Cleft Lip/Palate/Syndactyly (CLPS) unless the parents are DNA tested and this offspring is deemed Cleared By Parentage (CBP)
    d) Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) unless the parents are DNA tested and this offspring is deemed Cleared By Parentage (CBP)
    e) Degenerative Encephalopathy (DEN) unless the parents are DNA tested and this offspring is deemed Cleared By Parentage (CBP)
    f) Cerebellar Degeneration-Myositis Complex (CDMC)
    g) Cardiac Laminopathy (CLAM)
  7. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals Certification: The OFFA also offers certification for:
    a) Elbow Dysplasia
    b) Patellar Luxation
    c) Dentition Database
    d) Buff/Dilute Coat Color
  8. MDR1 gene: Washington State University who performs this test has indicated that Tollers are not listed as a breed affected by the mutation because they have not encountered a positive to date.

NOTE – OFA offers a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever – Panel which offers PRA-prcd, JADD, CP1, CLPS, CDDY & IVDD, CLAM, CDMC DM and/or BUFF DNA panels at a multiple test discount.
NOTE – OFA offers a discount for HIP Dysplasia and ELBOW Dysplasia evaluation when submitted together
NOTE – OFA offers a Mixed Soft-Tissue Database Discounted Individual Rate of $7.50 per application when three or more soft tissue applications are submitted together on a single dog (example: Cardiac, Patella, and Eye applications) – this discount does NOT apply to any applications requiring radiographic evaluations

 

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