CONTROL OF HERITABLE DISEASES
Autoimmune Hypothyroidism
A clinically affected dog or bitch should not be bred from.
Where a dog or bitch, proposed for breeding, has a known incidence of hypothyroidism in its previous 5 generations, the breeder should take the actions noted in the ‘Breeding from a Saluki with genetic history of Hypothyroidism’ code.(Appendix 1). You should contact your Breed Health Coordinator (email : salukibreedhealthcoordinator@
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
Only breed from stock that has a sound heart.
DCM can be inherited or idiopathic (ie: no known cause). You should have a dog and bitch, proposed for breeding, heart tested [echo cardiogram, and extended ECG (minimum 3 minutes)] by your veterinarian, prior to breeding.
.Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL)
Most affected Salukis with this condition will not survive more than 24 months.
Because carriers of this disease are more widespread (and unpredictably so) than when this code was first produced, all salukis, proposed for breeding, should be NCL tested. The breeder should take the actions noted in Appendix 2.You may contact your Breed Health Coordinator (email : salukibreedhealthcoordinator@
27th August 2020
APPENDIX 1
Hypothyroidism in Salukis – A Voluntary Code for Salukis with known history of hypothyroidism in their previous 5 generations
A number of Salukis have been identified as being either affected by hypothyroidism, or have produced affected offspring.
Hypothyroidism in dogs is considered to be a complex condition, affected by multiple genes and environmental factors. It appears to be highly heritable and therefore sensible breeding strategies should help to reduce its incidence.
Therefore, The Saluki Club (SGHC), The Northern Saluki Club (NCS) and Saluki Welfare (SW) are working towards DNA testing to identify the risk of developing hypothyroidism ahead of breeding from a dog or bitch. However, this test will probably take some time to achieve. In the meantime a voluntary code of practice has been developed and agreed to help control the spread of hypothyroidism in the breed whilst waiting for the DNA test to be developed.
In the absence of the DNA test, it is recommended that testing for the presence (including severity), or absence of hypothyroidism in individual Salukis is undertaken ahead of breeding from them. Based on research it has been determined that the best test for the disease is a TgAA test.
You should ask your vet to send a blood sample for testing to:
Nationwide Specialist Laboratories
Unit 2 Sawston Park, London Road
Pampisford, Sawston
CAMBRIDGE CB22 3EE
The TgAA Test shows, to a reasonably high degree of accuracy, if autoimmune hypothyroidism is present . It may also show that the disease is about to develop. The disease normally presents in a saluki between 4 to 8 years of age. However, the test cannot show that the saluki is, or is not, likely to produce affected offspring in the absence of active or developing hypothyroidism. Only DNA testing can achieve complete predictability. This is not yet available.
The Saluki Club, The Northern Saluki Club and Saluki Welfare, recognise the need to preserve the maximum gene pool. This means recognising the risks inherent in excluding large numbers of salukis from breeding. Accumulation of data on the presence and severity of hypothyroidism in individual dogs will enable the calculation of prevalence within the breed. This in turn will guide breeding advice, and hopefully enable genetic analysis which can further improve selection against hypothyroidism. The Kennel Club will assist with genetic analysis once sufficient data have accrued.
Immediately however, where dogs are identified as being at higher genetic risk, for example all those bred from affected dogs, they should not be bred to another higher genetic risk dog. They should also not be bred to one that has produced affected offspring, as it thought that this is likely to produce more affected Salukis.
The following code is recommended to help control the further spread of Hypothyroidism in the breed:
1) Dogs and bitches should not be bred from before 4 years of age.
2) Dogs and bitches should not be bred from more than 3 times.
3) Both the dog and bitch should have a TgAA test to determine whether they are likely to develop imminently Hypothyroidism. If both are clear on the panel test, then breed. If either fails, do not breed. The test should be repeated before any future pairings.
4) If the proposed sire or dam is known to have produced affected offspring, or to otherwise be at higher genetic risk (e.g. progeny of an affected dog or bitch), then this is considered acceptable provided the partner has no history of hypothyroidism in it’s previous 5 generations, but rigorous testing of the resulting progeny should be conducted. The purchasers of these progeny should be given a document that clearly explains the position and it’s implications for the new owner. (NSC SGHC SW to agree and publish advisory pack in due course).
Please contact the Saluki breed health coordinator , by email , at salukibreedhealthcoordinator@
Date 1 October 2019
APPENDIX 2
NCL in Salukis- A Voluntary Code for Salukis with known history of NCL in previous generations
Both UK and some European lines have been shown to carry NCL.
It is an autosomnal recessive disease, and is therefore heritable. Fortunately the gene mutation causing the disease has been identified. There is a test for it. ALL salukis should be tested prior to breeding, along with the proposed partner. The test will show if each saluki is clear, affected, or carrier. If both dog and bitch test clear, then you can breed with full confidence. No further action is required. Any progeny may be classified as clear with no known history.
If either is affected, or both are carriers, do not breed.
If one is a carrier, then you may breed, provided the partner is clear. All progeny should be tested. Any found to be a carrier should be registered ‘ not for breeding’. It is actually desirable that breeding should still go ahead to maintain the genetic diversity of salukis.
The DNA test for NCL is available from
Laboklin (UK)
125 Northenden Road
Sale
Manchester M33 3HF
(Tel 0161 282 3066)
They require a swab sample which you can take yourself. Please let the laboratory have your KC Reg number and microchip number. They will confirm the result to you and (in confidence) to the Kennel Club.
http://www.laboklin.co.uk/laboklin/showGeneticTest.jsp?testID=8075
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Date 1 October 2019