|
HEREDITARY
DISEASES.
|
|
Hereditary
disease is only one of the factors to consider in selection of breeding
stock, but it is an important one. Hereditary diseases are due to
random gene alterations (mutations) occurring as accidents in nature.
Once the gene mutations occur they may be passed on from parent
to offspring, sometimes hidden but sometimes becoming apparent,
resulting in hereditary diseases in the unfortunate affected animals.
Because these mutations occur naturally one may ask why we should
be concerned about them? Natural selection has been replaced by
breeder selection within the limited gene pool of any one breed.
As well as taking control of selecting for good traits the breeder
must accept the responsibility of selecting against hereditary diseases.
|
Concerns
about hereditary diseases.
|
There
are real reasons for concern about hereditary diseases:
(a) They affect the health and welfare of the unfortunate dogs that
are affected.
|
- Some
hereditary diseases are life-threatening,
e.g. heart and kidney diseases and many are debilitating, e.g.
hip dysplasia and blindness;
- Others
are at least discomforting and
aggravating, e.g. entropion, distichiasis;
- F
or the sake of future generations
we should aim to breed dogs that are not likely to pass on defective
genes causing hereditary disease.
|
(b)
Concern for future buyers of puppies.
|
- It
is distressing to see the effects of an hereditary disease on
a loved pet;
- The
cost of treatment is often
high;
- Buyers
become disillusioned with purebred
dogs when their puppies develop hereditary diseases.
|
(c)
Financial risk to the breeder.
|
- A
breeder who produces a puppy that subsequently becomes affected
with an hereditary disease must act responsibly in dealing with
the buyer on the matter;
- Breeders
are prone to risk of litigation if an affected puppy is produced;
a defence is to be able to show that all reasonable care has
been taken to avoid hereditary diseases in the breeding program.
|
Obligations
under the Code of Ethics and Code of Practice
.
|
The
Australian National Kennel Council has a Code of Ethics and a Code
of Practice for Hereditary Diseases that provide solid guidelines
for breed clubs and breeders in relation to hereditary disease.
Breeders are obliged to conform to both Codes. The Code of Ethics
includes a clause whereby breeders are required to breed only for
improvement of the breed. The Code of Practice for Hereditary Diseases
has three main thrusts directed at:
|
- R
educing the incidence of hereditary
diseases;
- Protecting
the purchaser of a puppy;
- P
rotecting the breeder who has made
all reasonable efforts to minimise the risk of hereditary diseases.
|
Legal
advice is that the Code of Practice for Hereditary Diseases should
be adhered to for the protection of both buyer and seller. Provided
the information given is not misleading or deceptive, adherence
to the Code should substantially reduce members' exposure to claims
such as breach of contract and negligence
.
|
Recommended
action for breeders in relation to hereditary diseases
.
|
National
Breed Councils and Breed Clubs are recognised as the guardians of
their breeds and, for the long-term benefit to the breed, breeders
should participate in any hereditary disease control programs conducted
by these bodies within their breed. Ignorance is no excuse.
|
- Find
out what hereditary diseases, if any, are known to be problems
within your breed – ask responsible, experienced people
within your breed.
- Find
out if there is any known incidence of these diseases within
the lines of your dogs, particularly among their parents and
siblings.
- Before
breeding from your dogs, find out what testing should be done
in relation to hereditary diseases.
- Comply
with the requirements of the Codes.
- Select
against hereditary diseases for the benefit of future generations
of the breed, to protect prospective puppy purchasers and to
reduce the financial risk to you as a breeder.
|
PRODUCING
A PUPPY AFFECTED BY AN HEREDITARY DISEASE IS NOT A CRIME, PROVIDED
YOU HAVE MADE ALL REASONABLE EFFORTS TO AVOID HEREDITARY DISEASES.
THE OFFENCE IS IN DOING.
|
