HEALTH - GUIDELINES FOR BREEDING
Guidelines For Breeding
Guidelines For Breeding And Purchasing Cocker Spaniels
Revised October, 1996 - Revised from April, 1989 A release from the A.S.C. Health Registry Committee - Judy Iby, R.V.T., Chairman, and Kerry L. Ketring, D.V.M. Diplomate American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
Preface
In April of 1989, Elizabeth H. Durland and Thomas J. Kern, D.V.M., offered the first guidelines for
breeding and purchasing cocker spaniels. Since that time, genetics of cocker spaniels have advanced with the discovery of new disorders, further understanding of some disorders, and identification of some disorders at least thought to be inherited. The current editors have
graciously put together a large number of these changes. With the recent emphasis placed on geneticdefects by the American Kennel Club, changes will continue to come at a more rapid rate and further revision of the guidelines will be necessary. Probably some changes have already occurred prior to the publication of this revision. This, however, can serve as a guideline to
those people interested in breeding cocker spaniels and purchasing cocker spaniels. If these
recommendations are followed substantial progress can be made in improving the overall health quality of our breed.
Introduction
Many cocker spaniel breeders are justifiably concerned about the problems posed by certain hereditary defects to the future of their breed. Their requests for information on how best to handle these problems in their breeding programs prompted the preparation of these guidelines.
These recommendations will stress eight different categories: (See links to left)
1. eye defects;
2. blood disorders;
3. endocrine disorders;
4. skeletal defects;
5. metabolic disorders;
6. heart disorders,
7. skin disorders,
8. neuromuscular disorders.
These guidelines will in no way de-emphasize the importance of breed type and basic soundness. In fact, by reducing the incidences of debilitating and life-threatening defects, we should improve type, soundness, and the general health of our cockers. There is much concern and disagreement over the precise way in which the various defects are inherited.Two modes of
inheritance are probably responsible for most genetic defects:
1. SIMPLE AUTOSOMAL (simple dominant/recessive): a specific pair of genes on matching
chromosomes control the expression of a particular trait.
2. POLYGENIC AUTOSOMAL (multiple gene influences): more than one pair of genes controls the
expression of a particular trait. In autosomal inheritance, the ability to selectively eliminate a defect is possible by planned breedings, but even in this mode of inheritance individual variation as well as environmental factors may affect expression of the causative gene. In both modes of inheritance the prevalence of these defects can be reduced by selective breeding. The key to reducing the frequency of heritable defects is the accurate identification of unaffected dogs from lines of dogs in which these
defects are uncommon. The chance of even apparently unaffected dogs developing one or more of the important genetic defects is potentially predictable based upon knowledge of the numbers of affected related dogs. Therefore, a database of information derived from examination of every cocker spaniel (active and retired breeding dogs, show dogs, and their pet littermates) must be developed--and used--to make accurate predictions. The ASC Health Registry is an invaluable aid because it provides this type of information. The ASC Health Registry currently lists dogs that are certified as unaffected with cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), Von Willebrand’s disease (vWD), Factor X, hypothyroidism, and/or hip dysplasia. Several other eye defects of potential concern are not as yet listed in the Registry. Many of these problems do not have a definitive clearance test. Unaffected dogs are determined by the following:
1. Examination by veterinarians who are diplomates of the American College of Veterinary
Ophthalmologists (ACVO) for cataracts, PRA, retinal dysplasia/folds, and other eye defects
2. Blood test results reported in percentages of normal levels provided from diagnostic laboratories for von Willebrand’s andFactor X levels
3. Normal thyroid function
4. A certification number from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for hip dysplasia.
© American Spaniel Club Foundation, Inc. 2010 - All Rights Reserved
Improving the health, welfare and general advancement of Flushing Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels in particular.
Give Back to the breed that has given so much to you!
Part One
