10-05-2021
DNA Testing for PRA - Shetland Sheepdogs
I am delighted to inform you that the Kennel Club Genetics Centre is up and running again at the University of Cambridge Department for Veterinary Medicine, and that they are able to offer DNA tests for both variants of Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) that are available for Shetland Sheepdogs. As you probably know, PRA is a very serious condition which always ends in blindness, so it is important to know the genetic status of your breeding stock to reduce the likelihood of producing affected puppies. The KCGC online booking system is not yet available, so for the time being all requests for testing must be submitted through me as the Kennel Club Breed Health Coordinator for Shetland Sheepdogs. The price for each individual test, either BBS2-PRA or CNGA1-PRA, will be £40 per dog. If you would like to have both tests done at the same time the price will be discounted to £60 per dog. I am also pleased to say that for a limited time only the English Shetland Sheepdog Club will be offering a subsidy to ESSC members of 50% per test booked through me. If you would like further information on PRA or to book a test please email me at bhc@essc.org.uk or contact me by Facebook Messenger.
Marion Withers
25-02-2021
The Kennel Club limits 'hereditary clear' status - PBHF OFFERS POSTAL CLINIC TO HELP
Message from the UK KC in conjunction with the Pastoral Breeds Health Foundation (PBHF):
"Warning to all breeders regarding Hereditary Clear statuses.
From January 2022 the UK KC are changing their policy on Hereditary Clear status for DNA tests and will only accept 2 generations of hereditary clear before dogs need to be tested again. Any dogs that have had parents and grandparents assigned hereditary status will need to be retested for this to be reinstated. The status will then be carried out for a further two generations before needing repeating. Or similarly, if DNA parentage can be provided as proof to the KC this status will be reinstated for the individual (but not for future progeny, these will need to be confirmed by parentage too).
If you have a Pastoral breed the PBHF can help you with discounted clinics for all KC recognised official tests for your breed.
Any other breeds please check with your breed club/ breed council for further advice/ help.
The link to the official press release we put out regarding this can be found here: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/.../kennel-club-limits.../ . This goes into better depth the reasoning behind the change.”
I am currently running a PBHF discounted postal DNA clinic using Animal Genetics open to all Pastoral Breeds with a massive discount if you need 3 or more tests that increases the more tests you need.
Border Collies also have a new DNA test for DH/Raines Syndrome which is endorsed and recorded by the KC if anyone needs to test for it. We also have discounts for coat colour DNA tests.
For more information on and prices for the PBHF discounted clinic or more information on this post please contact me via Messenger or email.
COVID pre-cautions will be taken - hand washing before and after handling of swab envelopes and mask worn. All envelopes and stamps will be self-sticking with no need to wet.
Lindsey Bridges kirkbridgend@hotmail.co.uk
PBHF Agility Health Coordinator
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If anyone has previously completed a panel via PBHF before the new DH/Raines Syndrome was added you can just add that one test at a discounted rate.
The PBHF have arranged discounts for litter screening to ascertain status where one parent is a carrier.
Kathie Kinton
Chairman
Contact via the website https://pbhfuk.wixsite.com/pastoral
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10-02-2021
The Border Collie Breed Councils publishes a booklet for potential Border Collie pup owners
In light of the current surge in buying a puppy, the Border Collie Breed Council has produced a booklet which it hopes will help owners understand the breed before buying a dog. The booklet can be seen <here>
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Anyone wishing to download the booklet may view, download or print it <here>
The book is aimed at those new to the breed but it does contain useful information regarding health testing and where to find a puppy.
14-11-2020
The Kennel Club limits 'hereditary clear' status
In a statement dated 4th September 2019, the Kennel club published that it would be limiting 'hereditary clear' status in order to support eradication of health conditions. The following paragraph is a short extract from the statement - read the full article <here>
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From January 2022, the Kennel club will introduced this change to safeguard against the impact that dogs with incorrect 'hereditary clear' status could have on the health issues within a breed. Hereditary clear status is given to dogs that are determined to be free of specific genetic material linked to a particular inherited disease. The KC registration system assigns a dogs this status if their parents are known to be clear, either because they have both been DNA tested as clear, or because they are hereditary clear themselves. As of January 2022, the 'hereditary clear status' will be limited to two generations - Kennel club Genetics and Research Manager Dr Tom Lewis said: "Kennel Club advice has always been that even apparently 'clear' lines should be retested every few generations".
29-6-2020
UK KC Statement regarding the Early Adult Onset Deafness in Border Collies DNA test
Earlier this year, MyDNA Wisdom Panel launched a DNA test for Early Adult Onset Deafness in Border Collies, defining the gene responsible as autosomal recessive (incomplete penetration). Our geneticists have studied the research, as with all DNA tests developed independently of the Kennel Club, with a view to adding it to the range of tests we support.
However, our experts have some reservations about how robust this test is, and indeed the laboratory's own clinical overview states "the actual causative gene and mutation remain elusive, which is addressed actively in an ongoing study at the University of Helsinki".
On the evidence provided to date, our experts are of the view that this is likely to be a more complex disorder than has been proposed, and for this reason we will not be supporting this test at this stage. I understand this will be disappointing to some people, but it is important that our DNA tests provide clear answers to breeders seeking to make decisions that will affect the gene pool for generations to come. We urge the university to complete the study so that a more specific test can be developed.
Please note, this is a different condition to congenital sensorineural deafness (CSD), which is present in puppies <10 weeks old, and is detected by BAER testing of litters.
19-6-2020
BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Testing sessions resume
From the 20th June, BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Testing Sessions will begin to be held again, with the BVA having produced the attached guidance for panellists and clients to be aware of. The criteria for holding sessions may also be beneficial for any clubs looking to hold testing sessions later in the year. The BVA will also be routinely updating their website with a list of available ophthalmologists, which can be found here. There are also Covid-19 FAQs on the BVA website for dog owners.
Guidance for panelists can be found here.
18-12-2019
Hereditary cataracts (early developing) (HC) no longer listed under Schedule B, Goniodysgenesis/primary glaucoma (G) listed under Schedule A
The Kennel Club has been collaborating with the British Veterinary Association and the Eye Panel Working Party to assess the current format of the BVA/KC/International Sheepdog Society (ISDS), particularly with regard to Schedule B. Following this, it has been decided by the Working Party that as of 1st January 2020 your breed will no longer be listed under Schedule B of the eye scheme for Hereditary cataracts (early developing (HC), but will be listed under Schedule A for goniodysgenesis / Primary glaucoma (G). This is due to evidence that Goniodysgenesis/primary glaucoma (G) is a recognised concern in your breed and therefore should be considered prior to breeding, and that Hereditary cataracts (early developing) (HC) is not, at this time, a concern in your breed. Furthermore, Schedule B will cease to exist as of this date of implementation. However, any additional abnormalities not currently recognised in your breed will continue to be collated into an annual sightings report. This sightings report will then be reviewed annually by the Eye Panel Working Party, allowing continued monitoring of the incidence of any conditions in your breed. Should there be an apparent prevalence of a particular condition this will be reviewed by the group, and potentially added to Schedule A. <KC Communication>
17-7-2019
Dental Hypomineralization/Raine's Syndrome
Description: Dental Hypomineralization (DH) is also known as Raine Syndrome. DH is an autosomal recessive disorder that is known to affect Border Collies. This disorder is characterised by extreme wear of the teeth that can be very painful. The only way to treat this condition is by extracting worn teeth. The genetic mutation that causes DH is suspected to be carried by 11% of the Border Collie population. The mutation occurs in the FAM20C gene. This gene codes for a protein that binds together calcium and phosphorylates involved in bone mineralization. Without this protein, normal mieralization of the teeth cannot occur. This means that the teeth are not as strong as they should be and are more vulnerable, leading to excessive wear. While this condition affects the dog from birth, symptoms may not become noticeable for some time. Typically, symptoms will become noticeable before the dog reaches two years old, however, this can vary depending on the severity. A common occurrence in dogs with DH is the browning of the teeth. While many dogs will experience this later in life, dogs with DH develop brown teeth at an early age. Furthermore, a condition known as Pupitis is commonly associated with DH. Pulpitis is characterised by inflammation of the dental pulp. This is located within the tooth itself. Because of the excessive wear on the tooth, the pulp inside can become exposed and lead to inflammation. Although diagnosis of Pulpitis can e difficult, a telltale sign of Pulpitis is intrinsic tooth discolouration. The tooth appears to be coloured pink or purple-grey from within, rather than due to an exterior source. Pulpitis eventually caused tooth death, requiring tooth extraction. As an autosomal recessive disorder, a dog must inherit two copies of the mutation in order to present symptoms of DH. A dog with one copy of the mutation is known as a carrier and does not present symptoms. If two carriers are bred to one another, there is a 25% chance per puppy born that they will develop symptoms of DH and a 50% chance per puppy born that they will also be carriers of DH. Because DH is technically untreatable, the only way to manage DH is through prevention. Genetic testing can reveal the likelihood of a dog developing DH and can inform a breeder of major health concerns.
23-6-2019
GDPR & Retention Update
The PBHF Group is an autonomous body striving to maintain healthy pastoral breeds through education and research. The PBHF do not have any databases but do link to some external sites, but take no responsibility for their content or accuracy. PBHF officers and committee are elected by breed clubs and therefore the PBHF does not maintain any membership lists as these are held by the breed clubs. The PBHF will only share any information provided for research or health screening with people and organisations necessary to carry out research and/or screening, or if individuals have given permission to do so.
Retention: Event, Health & Research data - 2 years after receipt or the date of the event.
Any stored data is monitored by our Data Controller - email pastoralhealth@gmail.com - please not this is a generic email for all PHBHF correspondence and any emails will be answered by the appropriate member of the Group.
7-5-2019
Removal of PBHF maintained databases
3-5-2019: Further to various communications regarding the fitting database, we are working with two contacts who are happy to start a new database in order to progress this. The database will be removed on 6th May. We have also reviewed some old archived links and as these are no longer used, they will be removed.
28-4-2019: Following discussion at the last PBHF committee meeting we are looking for a willing, computer savvy volunteer to take over the entire Border Collie Fitting Database. Including hosting, updating and maintaining the records. A full and clear knowledge of GDPR rules and their application is vital, as is an ability to communicate sympathetically with owners on a sensitive and distressing subject. The PBHF will happily provide a link to this new site.
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This decision has been made by the PBHF bearing in mind our constitutional remit:
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To raise funds for reasearch into the diseases and defects affecting breeds within the Pastoral Group (as recognised by the UK Kennel Club).
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To raise funds for veterinary research by various means, receive funds and donations from other bodies and encourage and promote health testing in breeds which fall within the Pastoral Group.
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To apply such funds for research and educational projects which fall within the purposes of the Foundation.
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We feel our time, effort and money is best spent concentrating on those ideals - for ALL participating breeds in the Pastoral Group.
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Rather than have lots of questions on this page, expressions of interest, please send to the following email address, in order for the "experts" to deal with taking this forward. Please note, comments will be switched off from this posting to ensure time is spent on our moving this to a positive conclusion. Kindly reply by the 5th May 2019.