[pyrnet] Consider breeding carriers (a proposal)

[Patric Lundberg <pyrsrgr8@yahoo.com>]

Joe,

> The incentive is to not breed affected stock or even stock
> that is very possibly affected.  Since it is simple recessive
> we can easily eliminate it by not breeding animals who have it.

I'm really not sure it is best to "throw out the dwarf carrier with the
bathwater"...  If we categorically stopped breeding any dog that
has the possibility of being a carrier I bet we would end up with a
short list of Pyrs indeed (and suffer the consequences of an
intellectually-induced genetic bottle-neck for the breed).

Until we can positively identify a carrier I think we may have to
resign to pedigree analysis to minimize the risk as responsible
breeders currently do. That said, if an actual test is actually
developed, the sanity of the selection process becomes rather inverted:
you would be free to breed carriers!

Here's how I see it (hypothecially): You breed a test-verified dwarf
carrier in which you see sufficient desireable Pyr qualities to a
non-carrier (also tested).  Now, you end up with a litter where ca. 50%
of the litter are carriers - these guys you spay/neuter at an early
age.

The remaining half which is tested clear now can carry on all the good
qualities of the breeding without the dwarf-causing gene.  The strength
of this approach is that we would not lose all the diversity and
strengths of all the carriers/potential carriers.

To categorically not breed *suspected* (or even verified) carriers at
this point would not be in the best interest of the breed as a whole
(not genetically or otherwise).

Sincerely, Patric.

PS  The development of such a test can actually have a rather fortunate
side-effect:  BYB and farmed-for-cash-crop/puppy-milled pyrs would be
at an immediate disadvantage - even if such a breeder lies and tells
you that the dog is healthy (in this case dwarf-free), a simple blood
draw and you can sue their pants off for lying to you (however much I
am against such mentality, I may consider an exception in this case).



=====
"Sage Advice Improves with Thyme"

Patric Lundberg, PhD
patric@pyrealm.com
Department of Virology
City of Hope National Medical Center
(626)359-8111 x2612

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