SCORING SYSTEM - The analysis is based on two types of calculations, a risk score for each disease or disallowed color, and a coefficient of inbreeding (COI).
Trait scores are calculated through the fifth generation behind the subject dog. The lowest possible score for any single trait will be zero, which will be noted on the certificate "no known background". The highest possible score is 100.
SCORES ARE NOT A PROBABILITY PREDICTION! They are based on a modified percentage of ancestry calculation, indicating the amount of background for a trait in the pedigree. They provide a consistent method by which you can compare pedigrees. We scan each pedigree for dogs connected to a specific trait, noting whether those dogs are affected or the parents or grandparents of an affected dog. Parents are given half the weight of an affected and grandparents a quarter. We also note in which generation these dogs appear. Each generation farther behind the subject dog is given half the weight of the one before it.
Examples: If an affected dog is a parent of the dog being analyzed, the score would be 100 (the maximum). If the affected dog is a grandparent the score would be 50, a great grandparent 25, and so on. If the parent of the dog being analyzed was also a parent of an affected dog the score would be 50, 25 if it was a grandparent, and so on.
A score of 100 for any dog is equivalent to having an affected parent, 50 to having
a parent that has produced the trait, 25 a grandparent that has produced it, etc.
However, in most cases the scores are a cumulative figure representing multiple
progenitors connected to the trait. Ideally, you would like to see all individual
trait scores under 25, but this is very rarely the case. We also offer provide a
total score for each dog, which represents the sum of the individual trait scores.
Average scores are available HERE.
The COI is a calculation of the level of inbreeding in an individual or cross. Ideally,
this should be kept low, preferably below 10%; however this may be difficult in
practice. If it is not possible to find an appropriate mate that will result in
a low COI, you should avoid exceeding an average of the two parents' COI's. COIs
for individual dogs can be found on the hrdndog.com website. The COI of a litter
cannot be calculated from the COI's of the parents; it must be done individually.
For more detailed information on what COI's are and how to use them click HERE.
BREEDING RECOMMENDATIONS - A score of 25 or higher is reason for
concern. The higher the score is, the greater the level of concern about that trait.
If you plan to breed the dog, select mates that will lower the score in their mutual
pups. The litter's score would be roughly an average between those of the parents.
Avoid crosses that score in excess of 50 for any serious disease. It is advisable
to wait before breeding a dog which scores 40 or higher for conditions that may
arise later in life (e.g. epilepsy, autoimmune disease, etc.) until they are around
4 years old. This way you can be reasonably sure the dog itself is not affected.
Given that the average score for some traits is 40 or above, if your dog exceeds
the average, attempt to reduce the scores for puppies to below the average whenever
possible. If multiple traits are a concern in any particular dog, you are unlikely
to be able to reduce risk on all of them while still selecting for key desired traits.
The higher risk traits should be prioritized based on their health impact.
Example: If a dog has above average scores for epilepsy, hernia and excess
white, first priority should be given to reducing epilepsy risk. Hernias are usually
of only minor health concern and excess white is cosmetic, though disqualifying
in the show ring.
For some traits there are DNA screening tests available. (See the ASHGI Health Screening
Protocol.) If a dog scores 25 or more for a trait for which such a test is available,
we strongly recommend that if you intend to breed the dog, you have the test done
so you will know its genotype for that trait. If a dog has had one of these tests
and does not carry the pertinent mutation, its score would be zero for that trait
no matter what its pedigree is.
How to sign up for pedigree analysis
NOTE: This process is done entirely via e-mail and/or regular mail. You do not need to travel nor present your dog for the analysis to be done.
Until we are able to complete
the computerization of this process, we can only accommodate 110 appointments in
a year. Appointment requests will be accepted starting on December 1 of the prior
year and scheduled, 10 per month, until the available slots are full. No individual
may have more than one appointment per year, however, those who have appointments
may submit as many pedigrees as they wish. Only the owner or co-owner of a dog may
request analysis. It can take up to two months to receive results, though usually
the analysis can be processed more quickly than that. Fees are payable at the time
of appointment and before the analysis is done.
If you would like to set an appointment for pedigree analysis, please click HERE .
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