NorthWest K9 Reading Room Canine Genetics Resources Copyright 1996-- by Moc Klinkam; All Rights Reserved Basic Toolkit for Responsible Breeding by Dr. Malcolm Willis, an interview with internationally acclaimed author of The German Shepherd Dog: A Genetic History and several other canine genetics classics. How to Select Against Genetic Disease with Knowledge, Not Hope by George Packard of the Institute for Genetic Disease Control in Animals (GDC) explains how to effectively reduce genetic disease in the breeding program. Berkeley professors Melissa DeMille and C. Denise Wall present the Bare Bones Introduction to Genetics that introduces the major terms and concepts customarily used when discussing canine genetics. In the Canine Genetic Primer, a cadre of genetics professionals collaborate to create an excellent resource for basic canine genetics on the Acmepet web site. Canine Inherited Disorders Database intends to reduce the incidence of inherited disorders in dogs by providing information to owners and breeders, and to facilitate the best management possible of these conditions by providing current information to veterinarians. Featuring general information about inherited disorders and the breeds affected, particularly well done is their section "How Are Defects Inherited?". The site is under development with anticipated completion by 2001. Summary of the color genetics of the German Shepherd Dog In their six-part series, authors Susan Thorpe-Vargas, John Cargill and Caroline Coile discuss how a single breeder's actions may have consequences that are far-reaching. Selective breeding practices may have created a genetic nightmare for many of our breeds today. In the first installment of that series, The Genetic Cul-de-Sac, the genetics task force addresses the origin of the domestic dog with an emphasis on the fundamentals of DNA and gene mutations, and their relationship to vigorous genetic diversity. Prof. Sue Ann Bowling's Animal Genetics page features an excellent library of articles about population genetics, canine coat color genetics, inheritance, inbreeding, and much more. UNE's GENUP software contains a number of learning modules. Each of these is designed to help you master concepts in Quantitative Genetics and its application to Animal Breeding. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Lab presents Equine Coat Color Genetics with fundamental information relevant to canine coat color, including an introduction to basic color genetics. Archive of AKC's Canine Health Newsletters from the Canine Health Institute. "Heritability" is a statistic used to evaluate dogs and selectively breed them for a quantitative trait. Cornell geneticist John Pollack explains how Heritability Measures the Variability of Genes that can control physical characteristics. Genetic Testing: A Guide for Breeders by Mary Whiteley, PhD. Dr. Whiteley believes that we will soon have a test for most of the genetic diseases of dogs. In her article, she discusses genes, DNA, the genetic testing that is available to breeders today, and what the test results mean. Also on this site -- information about subscribing to the CANGEN email list for discussions about canine genetics and related topics. Dealing effectively with any genetic problem requires an understanding of the relationship between the genes (genotype) and the phenotype. In his article, The Nature of Genetic Disease, Dr. John B. Armstrong sheds light on the differences between true genetic diseases and conformational diseases. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals (OMIA) presented by the Dept. of Animal Science at the University of Sydney, Australia includes information about species, genetic maps, traits, and disorders,, such as inherited bleeding disorders, dwarfism, heart defects, and more. Michigan University presents Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Canine Genetics, "using the powerful new tools of molecular genetics to understand, improve diagnosis and treatment of, and ultimately prevent the hereditary diseases that affect dogs and (B) to educate and train veterinary professionals and scientists in molecular genetics and medicine." The Dogs in Canada web site features Siberian Husky breeder Jeffrey Bragg's commentary on the upsurge of genetic problems and his call for action in The Genetic Tide: Will It Leave Us High and Dry? We are seeing a steady increase in genetic defects. Bragg suggests that the answer lies in the well-proven science of population genetics. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Dog Genome Project Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's Current Canine Linkage Map of the canine genome with mapped markers, pedigrees, and resources. The Dog Map is one of several canine genome research projects linked from the Bioinformatics web site. Development and Application of the Canine Genetic Map by Elaine A. Ostrander, PhD, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Developing a Healthy Breeding Program by Jerold S. Bell, DVM, Tufts University The Dog Genome Project is a collaborative study aimed at producing a map of all the chromosomes in dogs. Cornell Canine Genetics Workshop reveals major advances in the field worldwide. Dr. John B. Armstrong's Canine Diversity Project acquaints breeders of domesticated dogs with the dangers of inbreeding and the overuse of pre-eminent males. Control of Genetic Disease is discussed in a summary of information presented at seminars by Dr. George A. Padgett, DVM, a veterinary pathologist specializing in canine genetics. The Open Disease Registry established by the Institute for Genetic Disease Control in Animals is the first open registry in the United States. Learn how the GDC helps the dog-owning public and responsible breeders identify and prevent genotypic and phenotypic disease. Eliminating Genetic Diseases in Dogs: A Buyer's Perspective by Gary Mason. Some Thoughts On the History of Animal Breeding by Dr. Hellmuth Wachtel discusses population genetics in dog breeding. Canadian Jeffrey Bragg details his arguments for achieving genetic soundness in his stimulating brief, Purebred Dog Breeds into the Twenty-First Century: Achieving Genetic Health for Our Dogs. Promoting a balanced, heterozygous breeding system, he focuses on the tremendous amount of work that is required of responsible breeders to preserve and advance canine working abilities. His model for genetic diversity demands a rational balance between working characteristics and the ideals of conformation. Canine Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Resources