GENETIC TESTING IN SAMOYEDS
Updated: Jan 26, 2023
This post is mainly for myself, so that I can have all these links in one place, but I figure its a great opportunity for anyone who wants to read this to learn about genetic testing and why I do what I do as well!
What a lot of people don't understand is that certain tests can only apply to certain breeds. It takes a lot of research to identify a genetic marker in the DNA that causes a specific disease, and to make things even more complicated, these genetic markers can vary from breed to breed. There are only a few genetic markers that have been identified in the Samoyed. It is my job as a breeder to test for everything that I can in order to produce healthy puppies. There are different sources I need to use to do so.
First is a genetic panel. There are a couple places that do this such as Embark, Optimal Selection, and Pawprint Genetics. Optimal Selection is the cheapest and what I used in the past but no longer has public profiles for dogs, which is important to be because I want my dogs information available for anyone to look at. Pawprint genetics has a public profile but is the most expensive option and does not include other fun things like traits and COI that is found in the Optimal Selection and Embark. That leaves Embark as the all around winner with public profiles, traits and COI testing, and a middle of the road price point.
https://embarkvet.com/breeders/ ($20 off from GoodDog with Code GoodDog129)
Degenerative Myelopathy
Oculoskeletal Dysplasia 2 (CHIC Requirement)
X-Linked Hereditary Nephropathy
X-Linked Progressive Retinal Atrophy 1 (CHIC Requirement)
The final genetic test that can be done on a Samoyed is only available through one source and unfortunately does not have a public database for people to check results.
Familial Enamel Hypoplasia
Since these are all high quality tests accepted by the OFA, once the results are in for these DNA tests, they can be submitted to be listed on OFA along with the other more phenotype based health testing.
Puppies who have both parents cleared of a genetic disease can not inherit that disease and is therefor considered to be clear by parentage, and can be listed as such by OFA, though this is only allowed for one generation. Any further and it becomes to difficult to track and be certain that something didn't sneak back in. I personally test every generation anyway because it is more convenient and guarantees nothing is slipping past you.
Now let's talk results! Although a clear result is always ideal, a carrier or even an affected dog isn't necessarily a reason to eliminate an otherwise good dog from the gene pool so long as they are bred thoughtfully to not produce any affected puppies, which can be achieved a few ways as listed above.
Now not all diseases work like this so it is important to know what ones can and cannot be bred this way. However, especially as new tests become available in the breed, eliminating all carriers or affected dogs can be detrimental to the breed as it reduces genetic diversity and creates a bottlenose effect that can bring more and potentially worse health issues to the surface that were never an issue when genetic diversity was higher.
I hope this helped you to understand what genetic health tests are, why I do them, and what I take into consideration before a breeding to provide you with healthy, happy puppies.