Testing
Testing
Major benefits of testing
Dog owners are usually most excited about finding out what breeds make up their newly adopted dog. DNA test results include your dog’s breed mix by percentage based on a library of anywhere from 250-350 unique dog breeds. For every breed your pup is comprised of, you can get additional information on each breed: temperament, appearance, history, fun facts, and related breed information.
You can also find out about your dog’s ancestry and their “family” tree (what breeds their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents likely were.) Even for purebred dogs, this can confirm exactly how far back their lineage goes.
Other interesting breed information you can get with certain kits includes Wolfiness (ancient genetic traits), maternal line (finding out which regions the mother’s ancestry is traced back to), their genetic age, and trait information. This may include coat color and length, body size, shedding, eye color, genetic diversity (inbreeding), and even altitude tolerance!
How cool would it be to find your dog’s long-lost sibling? With the Doggy DNA Relative Finder, you can connect with other dogs that are related to your pup based on the percentage of DNA they share! Updates are continuous, so if a relative joins years after you do your dog’s test, you’ll still get notified. There have even been some awesome reunions thanks to this super cool feature. This testing is also available upon your request.
Okay Okay Okay you got me here. So in all honesty this isn’t exactly something you get from the DNA test by getting a Christolyst pup, but rather something you can give. When we send in your dog’s DNA, You as a brand new owner is also already contributing to some pretty amazing veterinary genetic research studies. This research is used to help veterinarians better understand things like canine obesity, diseases, behavioral issues, aging, and preventive care.
Getting a Christolyst pup means your pup has been tested for over 200 different genetic anomalies. Here at Christolyst, we didn’t create the process but we do trust and believe in it. In all honesty the origen goes back to 1868 when Darwin, the father of genetics discussed the diversity of physical and physiological traits in dogs of different sizes. It wasn’t until recently that significant attention has been paid to inherited diseases in dogs. Inherited diseases in dogs include metabolic defects, immune system abnormalities, congenital physical deformities, neurological sensory disorders, and blood disorders. It is our hope along with experts , and other individuals that with more time , research , technology and etc that the advancements become available to aid in so much more then just the next generation of pups.
Today the number of canine breeds exceed over 400 different breeds. So what happens in most cases more times than not is that these breeds were created through a very selective process and because of so there are health anomalies that are sometimes over looked most commonly due to the fact of just not knowing better. Although different mutations between breeds are large and widespread it’s important, we take the extra steps to ensure health. The main causing factors are the gene pools that are considered during mating selection time are very key since they (the parents) hold a detrimental role in passing the mutations through to the next generation. One would think with all the amenities available we would see a larger number of minor cases in a mass amount since we can test and treat things. However more times then not instead it the other way around. In today’s breeds you hear more about and witness major health problems but in smaller doses. A reduced gene pool, the tendency to use inbreeding for the purpose of breed standard maintenance and the frequent use of popular sires have all led to the emergence of great number of inherited diseases which is why it is very import to not only test dogs but keep in mind the importance of breed variety as well.
According to some researchers, the greatest number of inherited diseases are found in German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, German Boxers, Labrador Retrievers and English Springer Spaniels. Breeds believed to be least affected with inherited diseases are Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Whippets and Flat Coated Retrievers. It has been noted that immune and musculoskeletal disorders are more associated with taller and heavier breeds. On the other hand, neurological disorders are associated with the shape of the skull compared to other factors. Some things are easily missed or overlooked and because of that there isn’t any reason or excuse you shouldn’t get your dog tested weather you intend to breed or not. In today’s society and here at Christolyst Boerboels inherited disorders in dogs are being researched intensively in our attempt to further educate ourselves, the public and to protect our current and future generations of dogs.
The genetic testing of dogs enables diagnosis of a disease before the development of its first symptoms. Results of genetic tests are accurate and more reliable than conventional methods for disease detection. DNA tests also enable the diagnosis of the disease before reaching mating age. This results in the prevention the possibility passing on a defective trait due to a mating selection resulting the disease-causing mutation from being transmitted to offspring.
The recognition of disease-causing mutations have led to the development of DNA tests for our furry friends that can help disclose the dog’s potential and immunity probability to the development of an inherited disease. As the number of newly identified mutations increase, so does the number of genetic tests available for dogs
Did you know genetic testing in dogs is the only way of revealing whether or not your dog is able to pass on a mutation? A lot of people commonly overlook testing because they think, well my dogs healthy so why test. What a lot of people don’t know is your dog can be a carrier. A carrier is a term used to reference someone or thing that holds a genetic mutation but does not display the traits. Genetic testing happens to be the only way to determine whether or not your Furry pal is a carrier. Dogs can be genetically tested at any age and there is no need for repeated testing which makes genetic tests economically reasonable if you’ve gotten a pup from somewhere else but when you’re joining the Christolyst family DNA testing is on us because we want to ensure your pup has the best chance to thrive.
Overall the goal is to breed healthy, long living, companionable pedigreed dogs that retain the features of the traditional Boerboel that made many want to save and restore the breed back to its greatness. The results of the genetic tests are a useful tool for eliminating inherited disorders and preventing what could have been unforeseen health problems. With knowledge of the presence of a disease-causing mutation, regular surveillance and veterinary aid our pets lives can be secured for a longer and healthier period and the onset of disease can be delayed with appropriate and timely treatment.
As times go on, new features and testing methods are sure to become available. With that being the case , we will continue to do our jobs as breeders as we continue to step into the unexpected and horizons of tomorrow that this journey may hold. It’s one of our biggest concerns that we do our best to ensure we took the necessary and need steps along the way to give our pups the best opportunity possible . I mean the best opportunity to live a healthy life and with loving new owners . We ask if you come to find out anyone is using one of our dogs in a inhumanly way please contact us so we can attempt to remedy the situation to the best of our capabilities however we can.
