Dive Deeper into Australian / American Shepherd Genetics
Be INFORMED: Knowledge is POWER: Education is KEY: Be in the KNOW:
🐾 We Genetically Test All of Our Breeders prior to breeding so you can have Peace of Mind!! Please Note: Your puppy will only ever be Clear and or a Carrier (they will be unaffected by the disease traits listed below). Also, litters produced from a single carrier parent are genetically tested for the carrier gene 🐾
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Australian / American Shepherd Genetic Health Conditions
**The chart above is for recessive type gene outcomes and NOT for dominant type gene outcomes.**
MDR1 Medication Sensitivity, (MDR1): causes a defect to a drug pumping protein that plays an important role in limiting drug absorption and distribution (particularly to the brain). Dogs with the MDR1 mutation may have severe adverse reactions to some commonly used medications. Please see the medication list under the New Owner Tab for more details on medications that should be avoided. Best practice is to treat ALL Shepherd breeds as Affected and avoid giving your dog any of the medications on that list.
Canine Multifocal Retinopathy 1, (CMR1): is an eye disorder that can cause retinal decay which may impact vision, but very rarely results in blindness.
Cone Degeneration, (CD): (Discovered in the Alaskan Malamute), also called “day-blindness” is an inherited eye disorder causing light-sensitivity (photophobia) and an inability to see in bright light.
Degenerative Myelopathy, (DM): is a neurological disorder, usually affecting dogs in their senior years. Loss of hind limb coordination is an early sign of disease, and as the condition progresses the hind limbs of affected dogs become increasingly weak.
Hyperuricosuria, (HU): is a condition that predisposes affected dogs to the formation of urinary stones, such as kidney or bladder stones.
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 8, (NCL8): is a progressive disease causing uncoordinated movements, behavioral changes, vision loss, and epileptic seizures.
Chondrodystrophy and IVDD Risk (CDDY-IVDD): genetic conditions related to shortened legs and intervertebral disc disease in dogs. CDDY is a mutation in the FGF4 gene that causes premature calcification of the spinal discs, making them prone to herniation and rupture (IVDD). IVDD, or intervertebral disc disease, is a condition where the discs between vertebrae degenerate and can rupture, potentially compressing the spinal cord and causing pain, nerve damage, and even paralysis.
Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-PRCD): It’s a hereditary eye disease in dogs that causes degeneration of the photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) in the retina, leading to eventual blindness. The disease is typically diagnosed in dogs between 3 and 5 years of age or older, with symptoms including night blindness and loss of peripheral vision.
Hereditary Cataracts (HC): genetic eye condition causing clouding of the lens and potential blindness. It is distinct from other conditions like Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) or Hydrocephalus.
Neuroaxonal Dystrophy Shepherd Type (NAD-SHEP): (Seen in Toy & Mini size), It’s characterized by the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to a range of neurological symptoms. The disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning a dog needs to inherit two copies of the mutated gene to be affected.
Knowing if your Australian Shepherd & or Miniature American Shepherd is a carrier or at-risk for these conditions can help you and your veterinarian plan for your pup’s lifelong care.
Location
Huntington, texas
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