BACK
Information below is a direct transcipt from VetGen Veterinary Genetic
Services

Interpreting Your DNA Test Results for
Autosomal Recessive Diseases …


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are three possible test results: Clear, Carrier, and Affected. Below is a description of what each
result means to you as a breeder.


CLEAR   This finding indicates that the gene is not present in your dog. Therefore, when used for
breeding, a Clear dog will not pass on the disease gene.


CARRIER   This finding indicates that one copy of the disease gene is present in your dog, but that it will
not exhibit disease symptoms. Carriers will not have medical problems as a result. Dogs with Carrier
status can be enjoyed without the fear of developing medical problems but will pass on the disease
gene 50% of the time.


AFFECTED   
This finding indicates that two copies of the disease gene are present in the dog. These
dogs always have a potential to bleed given the right circumstance and will always pass on the disease
gene (mutation) to their progeny.



Breeding Strategies…

DNA test findings can be extremely valuable when developing and implementing your breeding plans.
The chart provided below outlines the implications of various breeding pair combinations. Remember, it
is always best to breed "Clear to Clear". If followed by all breeders, these strategies will ensure a
significant reduction in the frequency of the targeted disease gene in future generations of dogs.
However, to maintain a large enough pool of good breeding stock, it may be necessary for some
breeders to breed "Clear" to "Carriers" (see below).


                                             CLEAR  MALE                     CARRIER MALE                     AFFECTED MALE


CLEAR FEMALE                      100% Clear                                       50/50 Carrier/Clear                          100% Carrier


CARRIER FEMALE                   50/50 Carrier/Clear                        25/50/25 Clr./Carr./Affctd.               50/50 Carrier/Affected


AFFECTED FEMALE               100% Carrier                                    50/50 Carrier/Affected                  100% Affected


Ideal Breeding Pair. Puppies will not have the disease gene (neither as Carrier nor as Affected).


Breeding Is Safe. No Affected puppies will be produced. However, some or all puppies will be Carriers.
Accordingly, it is recommended that Carrier dogs which are desirable for breeding be bred with Clear
dogs in the future, which will produce 50% carrier and 50% clear animals, to further reduce the disease
gene frequency. These offspring should be tested, only the clear animals in this generation should be
used.


High Risk Breeding. Some puppies are likely to be Carriers and some puppies are likely to be Affected.
Even though it is possible that there will be some clear puppies when breeding "Carrier to Carrier", in
general, neither this type of breeding pair nor "Carrier to Affected" are recommended for breeding.


Breeding Not Recommended. All puppies will be  genetically Affected.



AFFECTED   This finding indicates that two copies of the disease gene are present in the dog. These
dogs always have a potential to bleed given the right circumstance and will always pass on the disease
gene (mutation) to their progeny.