Terminology Used on DNA Testing Panels
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While the reports from different DNA companies differ, the results for each disease or trait should be reported as:
Normal/Clear - 2 normal copies of the gene. This means that the tested dog is completely free of the disease/trait and does not carrying the mutant gene which will produce the disease. Carrier - positive one copy. This means that the tested dog has one normal and one mutant copy of the gene. The dog does not have the disease but carries a copy of the gene which may be passed on to their progeny (see diagram). A dog that is a carrier of a disease can be mated with another that is clear and all of the progeny from this litter will be free of the disease, however some progeny can be carriers. Carriers are still included in breeding programs as restricting breeding to only clear animals would greatly reduce genetic variability and is advised against by geneticists. Under no circumstances however should a carrier of a disease be mated with another carrier or affected for the same disease. At Risk/Affected - positive two copies. Dogs has two copies of the mutant gene. A dog which is at risk/affected will either have or develop the disease during its lifetime. For CEA and EAOD ONLY can be bred with another dog that is clear of the same disease and all of the puppies from the mating will be not affected but will all be carriers. Clear by Parentage - where both parents have been DNA tested clear for that disease. This should only be relied upon where parentage of the pup has been confirmed by DNA profiling. It is advisable to test all breeding stock prior to breeding. |
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Ask to view copies of both parents DNA reports, and check for a clear result for any carrier/affected result in the opposite parent. Reports will also contain lots of other genetic trait information, particularly related to the coat - see our Coat Colour Genetics page for more information about how dogs pass down the genetic information for all the different coat colours.
