This is to inform you about the communication of the Dutch GSD Association - V.D.H. - with Dr.Kooistra, University of Utrecht. The GSD Board of the Netherlands has taken a stand in accordance with Dr. Kooistra. In the April-magazine  (page 9) of the V.D.H. is published an article with official advice of the Board of the V.D.H. to all breeders of GSD.

MEASURES AGAINST THE MUTATED GENE THAT CAUSES PITUITARY DWARFISM IN GSD

The ideal situation to get rid of dwarfism would be testing all breed animals once to check them for carrying the gen. For practical reasons this approach will be difficult. That is why it is reasonable to start  testing  the groups with the most risks. 

The Board of the V.D.H.-Netherlands advises to test for the gene that causes dwarfism: 

1. All males with more than 10  (expected) matings, because they have a genetic impact on the breed population.

2. Related GSD, if it is not proven that both parents are free from the dwarf-gene, to a proven carrier or dwarf within the first four generations of its pedigree. These animals have a chance of 1 to 16 to be a carrier itself. 

Carriers should only be combined  with dogs that are proven free from the dwarf-gene. The results are: dwarf; carrier of the gene; free from the dwarf-gene. You can download the forms beneath to be used by your vet. 

 The opinion of the V.D.H. board is that it is not done to breed with a dwarf . This is  forbidden by the breed specific regulations  in the V.D.H.-NL (you are not allowed to breed with a dog which is suffering from a genetic defect itself). So it is never allowed to breed with GSD dwarfs (mostly they are sterile, infertile). It depends upon the amount of GSD that apparently will be proven carriers to decide whether it is advisable to breed with carriers. If the incidence of carriers is  very low the V.D.H board advices not to breed with carriers. If the incidence of carriers is higher than the V.D.H board advises to use these dogs intelligently by crossing carriers only with dogs which are proven free of the dwarf gene. To exclude carriers of the dwarf gene for breeding would be unwise because the population would loose its genetic variation. This would increase the chances for other genetic defects. 

The V.D.H. board asks politely for your full support and complete openness and transparency. 

THE WAY THE TEST IS DONE 

PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE FORM BENEATH
 

DOWNLOAD:          Pituitary dwarfism in German shepherd dogs

    (triple)                           -Availability of a genetic test- 

 (Send 2 forms + blood sample +copy of  pedigree by your vet to University Utrecht; 1 form for your vet;) 

Name of the owner of the dog:……………………………………………………............... 

Address, country/postal number…………………………………………………………….. 

I declare that the results of the test can be used in a database to eradicate this disease and will be communicated to the breed organisation in the Netherlands 

Signature owner of dog ..……………………………................................................ 

Name of the dog:…………………………………………………………………................

Tattoo number and/or Chip number:………………………………………………......... 

Pedigree registration number ……………………………..Date of Birth……………........      

Name Sire:……….………………………………………........ Reg.Number………………..... 

Name Dam:………….……………………………………….... Reg.Number…..……………... 

For the genetic test, 4 ml. of blood (collected in an EDTA containing tube) is needed. The blood sample + copy of pedigree has to be shipped to:

Dr. H.S. Kooistra (H.S.Kooistra@uu.nl)

Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University

Yalelaan 108 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands 

The costs of the genetic screening for the mutation that causes pituitary dwarfism in German shepherd dogs are Euro 100 (excl. VAT) 

The Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals of  University Utrecht will charge you. After your payment they will sent  the result of the Genetic Test.  If your dog is free from the mutated gene that causes Pituitary dwarfism in German shepherd dogs you will receive an official certificate from the University of Utrecht.. 

BLOOD SAMPLE SEND BY Veterinary surgeon:………………………………………….

Please stamp of veterinarian practise and  signature of vet., 

I hereby declare I identified the dog very carefully