21/06/2021
It is my pleasure to report that there is finally a TEST for dwarfism in Great Pyrenees. After 24 years of gathering DNA, mapping genomes (a dwarf’s DNA was the 5th dog ever mapped completely in the world), and much hard work by world class researchers at the University of MN, we have a test. The technology involved in finding this DNA information has only existed for a few years and we are lucky that it was available to us.
I have obtained a grant from Good Dog that will assist with the cost of testing, targeting breeders who test multiple dogs and make those results public on OFA. More information on this will be provided shortly.
I would like to show my appreciation to all who have contributed DNA and supported this long project, to the AKC Canine Health Foundation and the GPCA Health Committee, who contributed funding for the research, to Dr. Mark Neff who initiated the DNA research, and to the team at University of Minnesota, Katie Minor, RN, Dr. James Mickelson, and Dr. Kari Ekenstedt (Purdue University), who has piloted and completed this research and now, test. I’d also like to thank all those that trusted me with their dog’s DNA that contributed to the completion of this project.
A special thanks to Willow, my Great Pyrenees dwarf, born in 1997, who was the impetus that drove me to pursue this project for so long – Framboise Live and Let Live, CD, DD, TDI.
Here are some links:
To test your dog at the University of MN: To test your dog at the University of MN: https://vetmed.umn.edu/research/labs/canine-genetics-lab/genetic-testing/neuronal-degeneration
Good Dog Breeder Grant link https://www.gooddog.com/good-breeder-center/breed-club-partnership-program
AKC Canine Health Foundation link: https://www.akcchf.org/.../research-portfolio/02400-MOU.html
Poster for research from University of MN 2018 https://conservancy.umn.edu/.../UROP%20Poster%20.pdf...
Dwarfism report from 2007 http://gpcahealth.org/PDF/GPCA2007DwarfMarkerUCDavis.pdf- DwarfMarkerProject1206a (gpcahealth.org)
Research from 1994 Dr Ron Sande at University of Washington:http://sonic.net/~cdlcruz/dwarfs/chondrodysplasia.pdf
To complete a dwarfism Health Survey:https://vetmed.umn.edu/.../great-pyrenees-dwarfism-health...
page to support Great Pyrenees dwarfism: https://m.facebook.com/Great-Pyrenees-dwarfism-Research-and-Information-116872714989914/
An inherited neurological disease, called “Neuronal Degeneration” or NDG, has been reported in Great Pyrenees dogs. The age-of-onset of this disease is very young, well before an affected dog’s first birthday, but begins quite mildly. Initial signs include slipping, sliding, and difficulty man...
