German Shepherd Dog Information Group

UPDATES

By Dorothy A Cullum

Yet another year has passed and it seems to have been a very successful year for our researchers.

This has made all your support and interest really worthwhile. Real progress has been made in certain fields and it is hoped our researchers can continue in this vein .

Work is slowly beginning to piece together the large jigsaw puzzle that can help answer and control the problems that have been seen in our breed.

Help mostly coming from individual owners and those kennels that we can always can depend to support the research .

It is somewhat sad when one sees individual people trying to score points expressing views that are incorrect setting themselves forth as "experts" to ridicule and correct that which is being promoted or supported.

Thus it is with some sadness that we have to see some so called "experts" try and degrade what the researchers are doing for us. It is also a shock to have some individual people try and express points of view that are incorrect.

We have made it a Group rule that we do consult the expert these being of very high standing in their profession and specialized field in which they are experts.

One cannot understand what is trying to be achieved when on chat groups we get persons who do not have the pluck to place their proper name behind the statements they bother to write.

It is both expensive and wasteful for people to ask for information and then do not bother to or are afraid to complete questionnaires and send samples in confidence to the researchers.

Especially when it is then to sabotage that which others are assisting in by stating research is no longer taking place.

Suggestions that we should name participants dogs and their health faults is not allowed by law when the animals are alive. But the offenders take it upon themselves to do this without permission, they announce to the world such versions which they have no scientific proof of this being true. This is hearsay and is in the eye's of the law a very sticky issue.

We are allowed to check and list issues but not to name animals if they are still alive.

The owner of the Sire/ Dam or the owner of the sibling can if they have Veterinary backing and are paying the bill. make this public knowledge.

It has therefore brought us into bad light and this cannot be allowed to happen, for the long term outcome will be there will be no further help for our breed.

Which will be a pity as so many worthy persons have supported this.

The offending matter has been downloaded and placed in the hands of a solicitor before alterations took place, so the parties who have been offended are prepared to take this further.

The statement that assistance/ samples are not required as research has been discontinued is NOT TRUE.

We still required be it from affected animals or healthy ones. The NORMAL healthy animal is wanted to assist in ascertaining healthy correctness, so faulty markers can also be found in the animals with problems.

None of this is a witch-hunt, and because this is so, this is one of the reasons it is important that questionnaires and samples are sent directly to the researcher with such information as who is YOUR VETERINARY SURGEON, so confidentiality is observed

If we all get into the realms of legal procedure we will see the researchers do no more for us.

Surely it is better to go forward than to go backwards.

Some explanation is pointing to a number of the 42 genes having a degree of damage,

and this could be the explanation to only one or two in a litter having certain problems.

Please note these are not as some persons are saying are ROGUE genes. but it appears damaged or miss- formed.

The opinion is that even if breeders have not themselves experienced such health issue they should make a mental note, and be aware of it when another mating of the their lines take place.

The researchers are on our side, as was explained to me they hope that this is not going to be a mass or final elimination of stock and lines carrying certain issuesbut a more responsible selective and carefully chosen breeding programmed.

Sires and Dams would be screened for the failing genes in either animals.

Where the severity of the damaged genes would be assessed which might have the same amounts of damage or different damage could be on different genes this could vary, this being taken into account when further breeding takes place.

So please bare in mind things do not happen over night and research takes time, a fact some are having difficulty in being able to understand.

Those who have participated are in fact preparing and leading the way for better things.

This is the reason why healthy animals are involved so that the results can also see what is normal as well as affected.

When this is all narrowed down further it is hoped a TEST will be then available which will allow breeders to eliminate faulty stock from their chosen and precious breeding programmers.

To use certain animals which have faults in other genes, but also could produce virtues allowing a selection of a mates, which have also been tested, before breeding takes place.

The test is still in its infancy but when it has been developed and is of acceptable standard and value it will be offered to you at a reasonable charge through the GSD INFORMATION GROUP.

This will also INSURE that all the money raised will go to our research and not just be placed in a large kitty.

So fingers crossed that success is near at hand.

The Epilepsy research is covering all breeds they are at present working with a collection of samples, of animals known to have the problem.

Animals participating are grouped as follows:

Animals that have the problem in their lines and animals that do have the problem in the line but so far it has not developed it.

This is a European project and involves animals from UK, Finland, Norway, Spain Sweden and Italy.

Initial analysis of candidate genes as well as the first identification has been set up.

It has involved 300 cases in most breeds some with a higher percentage than others.

15 breeds are participating; further more there are also several new breeds participating.

The project is also involved with the human side as well, for it has been observed that many of the traits are similar.

Beside the Epilepsy being studied there are two other problems being studied, which are breed related.

It is again a long haul to find an answer, but again we have 8 lines none of which are even related and do not go to Quadrille which have been collected and produced this problem.

But to research and see if one can find the reasons, be aware, then take action, will be a great result

This is a very complicated problem; a little home research is better for reputations than to ignore the fact that any problem exists could go amiss.

Again thank-you for your support.

THE EUROPEAN RESEARCH

The research as I have said involves 20 Vet schools and 12 countries that are trying to speed up answers to different conditions from which dogs suffer.

It is with urgency that a tool is found to diagnose such problems so carriers can be detected.

The goal is to detect similar complex diseases in humans with the help of the dog genome, which is less complex.

Again once the responsible genes are detected it is possible to find similar genes in man.

We are indeed lucky for OUR researchers are involved in this project and are named on the listed reports that I have to hand.

DEGENERATIVE MYLOPATHY;

GREAT NEWS

A test has become available here in the U.K. place peoples minds at rest as to if the problem can be present in the animal tested.

For further Information please contact the GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG INFORMATION GROUP for particulars.

The test will be available Free.

PLEASE HELP

In order to further research on all GSD problems we would suggest that a donation is made to the GSD Information Group to help finance further research for our breed on all the listed subjects.

CONTACT GSD INFO GROUP FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. Contacts listed below.

CANCER IN DOGS

Our latest inclusion is for STUDY 1 research into the more common problem of haemangiosarcoma and other tumors irrespective of age and when this took place.

Controls are required, This requires healthy 9 year olds plus with no history of the above.

If you wish your animal to take part you will be sent 4 swabs to obtain genetic material on and instructions as to where it should be taken and when.

It will include instruction as to where to send the samples.

This is a problem which is becoming more common in this day and age.

Please contact the group for details,

this will also assist in work already being done for humans.

FUNDS

So once again in order for the researchers to get the money for our breed which has been given so generously, by those participating, it is most important that the money comes to the GSD Info Group for both pedigree checks and test so that we can insure they GET the money.

It would be a big step forward if GSD CLUBS would help to this end instead of taking a back seat.

Come on now lets have your support, it would be good to see Clubs support this more readily.

Certain sources have queried the fact do we promote health tests listed for the GSD the answer is yes but they are NOT all mandatory at this present time.

This is and will always drawn to the attention of the enquirer regardless of rumors.

Our thanks to the following:

J Mitchell M Friend, Workmen, D Sutcliffe, Thomas and Sivoni, M Smith, PT Punter, CP & LM Cuss, Williams Spivey, Sharon Arnold and K9 Club, K. Courtney for their generous donations.

Please be a little more positive and promote this research and do not try and destroy it.

We all appreciate that some are already trying to do their best for the breed and this is greatly appreciated, but if you are one of the doubter's please do not upset the apple-cart and waste all this hard work

We will work for the betterment of the breed.

All ABOVE TESTS are to be applied for through the GSD Information Group.

All donations Cqs made out to THE GSD INFORMATION GROUP as well please. So the researchers do get the MONIES and it does not go into an all dogs fund.

May we wish you all a very successful season, let us all try and succeed in keeping our breed healthy.

We will never get another chance to be heard and researchers help us so please support the above.

Healthy as well as affected animals are required.

Contacts Dorothy 01277 220933; Chris 01223 208216 Joyce Ixer 01962 776 239

dorothy-cullum@cermar.co.uk sherak25@btinternet.com