Rev. 8/27/09

Survey FAQs 
 

When does the survey start and end? 

The survey commenced on August 25, 2009.  It will continue until at least August 31, 2010.  We have a goal of recording data on at least 500 dogs.  The term of the survey may be extended if we feel doing so will help us meet that goal. 
 

Where can I find the survey? 

You can access the on-line version via ASHGI’s website home page.  If you would like to receive a paper copy, request one from 4_survey@ashgi.org or phone 559-485-2136.  If you phone please leave your name and mailing address. 
 

How can someone participate if they can’t do it via the Internet? 

Call 559-485-2136.  Request a paper copy of the survey and leave your name and address; we will mail a copy to you.  If you can e-mail, send a request to 4_survey@ashgi.org. 
 

Who may enter dog data? 

Data should be entered by the owner of the dog. 
 

What abut co-owners? 

If a dog has multiple owners, the one who has the most thorough knowledge of the dog’s health and breeding history should be the one to enter the data.   
 

What dogs are eligible for the survey? 

Any purebred Australian Shepherd born from January 1, 1990 through December 31, 2005. 
 

Does the dog have to be alive? 

No.  If your dog was born from Jan.1, 1990 to Dec. 31, 2005, it may be entered whether living or dead. 
 

May non-US dogs be entered? 

Yes, we encourage participation by Aussie owners around the world. 
 

May Miniature Aussies be entered? 

No.  It is ASHGI’s belief that while there is still a considerable degree of relationship between Aussies and Minis, the two populations have diverged sufficiently that the gene frequencies for many of the traits being tracked by this survey will be different from one to the other.  ASHGI feels that it would be in the best interests of the Miniature Australian Shepherd if its breed community pursued a Mini-specific survey for their dogs. 
 

I checked one of the boxes to participate in research.  When will I receive a response to that? 

You should have an response within a week.  If you do not, contact 4_survey@ashgi.org or phone 559-485-2136 and let us know what it was you wanted us to send you.   

How many dogs do you expect to have entered in the survey? 

Our goal is to have at least 500 dogs entered.  The ASHGI cancer survey, conducted in 2006-7 received 535 entries, so we feel this goal is reasonable. 
 

When will reports on survey results be issued? 

Once the survey is closed we will begin statistical analysis of the data.  This process may take several months.  Once analysis is complete we will prepare a report on that data.  Copies of a written report will be provided to the Australian Shepherd Journal, the Aussie Times and the ASC Netherlands.  After publication the report will be posted on the ASHGI website.   Publication of the reports could occur in the spring of 2011, but may take a few months longer than that.  If USASA or ASCA so desire, we will prepare and present a PowerPoint presentation on he survey results at their respective national specialties. 
 

Who designed the survey? 

The general survey format was developed by Elements Software Engineering.  ASHGI’s committee used that format and developed Aussie-specific content.  The committee included the H&G Chairs of both ASCA and USASA and the health liaison for the ASC Netherlands, an FCI club, a geneticist and other ASHGI volunteers. 
 

How did you decide what questions would be asked? 

The committee reviewed diseases and conditions found in ASHGI’s IDASH health data and the findings of the 1999 ASCA health survey.  We included the questions on tail conformation because the data will be helpful to breeders in countries where docking bans are in effect.  Members of the committee suggested some of the topics. 
 

Why the birth date limitation? 

We wanted a set of dogs among which the youngest will be old enough that something will be known about their health and what they have produced and which will also include dogs that have completed their life spans.  Ideally, breed health surveys should be repeated at intervals because the choices breeders make will change the frequency of particular gene forms within the population.  ASHGI’s long term plan is to repeat the survey in 2019. 
 

Who monitors the survey? 

Elements Software Engineering maintains the software on its server and will deal with any technical or operational issues.  If users click one of the boxes that indicate they want to participate in something beyond the survey, like a research project, that information is transmitted to ASHGI and we will provide the user with the requested information or materials. 
 

Who has the data? 

Elements Software Engineering stores the data on a secure server.   ASHGI will maintain back-up copies on a secure server. 
 

Is survey information confidential? 

Yes, ASHGI and Elements Software Design will maintain the confidentiality of the data you submit.  The only reason ASHGI might release detailed data would be to assist a scientist working on legitimate health research that might benefit Aussies.  If this were to take place, the scientist would be required to agree to release only summary data should the research be published. 
 

Who will have access to the data? 

The data is owned by ASHGI.  Upon completion of its contract with ASHGI, Elements Software Engineering will delete its copies of the data.  No detailed data will be released to non-confidential sources.  We will share summary data only with national breed clubs upon written request.  We will share summary and/or detailed data with legitimate scientific research teams focusing on topics pertinent to Aussie genetics and health.