DNA Control Scheme To Improve German Wirehaired Pointer Health Approved By Kennel Club
The Kennel Club has approved a new DNA control scheme for von Willebrand Disease (vWD) in German Wirehaired Pointers, at the request of the German Wirehaired Pointer Club.
The purpose of this scheme is to eliminate vWD within the breed, setting out the steps that breeders should adhere to, in order to breed puppies that will not be affected by the condition. As a first step towards this, breeders are required to undertake the following protocols, which will come into effect from 1st January 2015:
1. All German Wirehaired Pointers used for breeding should be either proven hereditarily clear of vWD; or have a vWD DNA test before they are used for breeding.
2. Identified carriers may be used for breeding providing that they are only mated to a German Wirehaired Pointer that is either hereditarily clear or DNA tested clear of vWD. Carriers should not be mated to carriers and the Kennel Club will refuse to register any progeny resulting from such a mating.
3. All of the offspring of a carrier mated to a clear must be clearly identified, DNA tested and registered as either tested clear or a carrier.
The Kennel Club continues to work alongside breed clubs and breed health coordinators, in a collaborative effort to improve the health of pedigree dogs. The Kennel Club will consider a club’s request to add a control scheme and would need a formal request from the breed’s health coordinator or a majority request from the breed clubs.
For further information, please contact the Kennel Club Health & Breeder Services Department by emailing hbs@thekennelclub.org.uk.
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