If you have two or more dogs in a family in which a clinical diagnosis has been made for the following diseases, you can help. Breeds for which samples are being sought for epilepsy include Australian Shepherds, Beagles, Collies, Dalmatians, English Springer Spaniels, Irish Setters, Shetland Sheepdogs, and Viszlas. Breeds for which samples are needed for hip dysplasia include Airedale Terriers, Alaskan Malamutes, Bernese Mountain Dogs, German Shepherd Dogs, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Mastiffs, Newfoundlands, Old English Sheepdogs, Portuguese Water Dogs, Rottweilers, and Samoyeds. The University of Missiouri needs samples from Keeshonden and Pomeranians for a skin disease called adult onset alopecia. This condition is characterized by a loss of hair on the back of the legs, followed by hyperpigmentation and the skin turning dark.
Hair loss can also progress over the body.
Pedigrees and samples from nucluear families are needed to continue this research. The secondary intent of this project is to determine allele frequencies for each of 21 breeds, representing at least 3 breeds from each of the 7 AKC recognized groups. The database for each breed will consist of a minimum of 50 dogs unrelated within the first generation. This work contributes to the ultimate goal of genome screening for linkage to disease associated genes. The research will provide a most cost-effective and expedient means of screening the markers characterized in this project against affected pedigrees and will be available to researchers pursuing genetic disease research within these and other breeds.