News and updates

Proposal

ANKC Ltd is seeking the views of Golden Retriever owners if they wish to have Litter Registration Limitations in respect to Elbow Dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy and Hereditary Cataracts.

Rationale

Elbow Dysplasia:

Heritable elbow dysplasia is an orthopaedic disorder that results in the abnormal development of the elbow joint. These developmental anomalies can be associated with pain, forelimb lameness, and reluctance to extend or flex the elbow joint.

Several large studies have examined the genetic basis of elbow dysplasia, which appears to be inherited differently in different breeds. To complicate matters further, there is evidence that the different diseases of elbow dysplasia could be inherited independently. The differences in inheritance suggest that elbow dysplasia is a common end point for a variety of genetic disorders which disturb elbow development through various mechanisms.

Because of the complexity of inheritance and the effects of environmental variables in disease expression, it is unlikely that genetic testing for elbow dysplasia will be possible in the foreseeable future. Despite the ability to treat affected dogs, there is no satisfactory medical protocol or surgical procedure to significantly alter the progression or cure the disorder. This makes it increasingly important to reduce the incidence of the disease through selective breeding. Selectively breeding phenotypically normal individuals has been shown to reduce the incidence of the disorder.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a group of inherited eye disorders that is characterised by vision loss due to degeneration of the photoreceptor cells in the retina, eventually leading to complete blindness.  The mode of inheritance appears to be consistent with autosomal recessive and the age of diagnosis is most commonly at approximately 5 years of age. The Golden Retriever is on Schedule 1 of ACES and has more than one genetic form of PRA and it is thought that PRA can be caused by at least four different mutations three of which have been reported and account for approximately 91% of the cases in the breed (prcd-PRA (<1% of cases), GR_PRA1 (61% of cases) and GR_PRA2 (30% of cases) The genetic explanation for approximately 9% of cases remains to be identified.  Patented commercial genetic tests are available for prcd-PRA, GR_PRA1 and GR_PRA2 forms of PRA. These tests identify those dogs with one copy of the mutation (carrier) and dogs with two copies of the mutation (affected). By ensuring that at least one parent is Normal/Clear of GR_PRA1, GR_PRA2 or pcrd-PRA then no GR_PRA1/pcrd-PRA/GR_PRA2 affected offspring will be produced in a mating.  Because genetic tests are not available for approximately 9% of PRA cases in the Golden Retriever a yearly eye examination by a veterinary ophthalmologist is important to reduce the incidence of the disease through selective breeding.

Hereditary cataracts

Cataract is defined as any opacity of the lens or its capsule. There are many reasons for cataract formation, fortunately, the age of onset, appearance and evolution of hereditary cataracts are quite specific, enabling inherited cataracts to be distinguished from other non-inherited types of cataract.

Hereditary cataracts are a Schedule 1 disease for the Golden Retriever. Studies suggest that hereditary cataracts might be a complex disease, possibly involving several genes that might act independently or together with the environment to influence the development of hereditary cataracts. Since non-hereditary cataracts also occur, an examination by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist is necessary to determine if the cataract is suspected to be hereditary.

Quite apart from the undesirable perpetuation of abnormality within breeding lines, a proportion of inherited cataracts progress to produce visual impairment and blindness. Selective breeding of clear stock is important to lower the incidence of hereditary cataracts in the golden retriever.

Breeders of litters whelped on or after 1^st January, 2020, will be required to comply with the above requirements as a prerequisite to registration of any litter on the ANKC Ltd Main Register. Dogs must be positively identified by microchip prior to being x-rayed and examined. Litters which do not meet the above requirements will only be able to be placed on the Limited Register and will be flagged not to be upgraded.

The survey can be undertaken here

A survey was conducted by ANKC Ltd earlier this year to ascertain the feedback from all owners of registered Labrador Retrievers in relation to the Minimum Breeding Age for Labrador bitches being 18 months at the time of mating (unless a veterinary certificate is produced stating that for health reasons the bitch should be mated before 18 months).  The response received indicated support.

As this was an amendment to current regulations, the result of the survey was referred to the ANKC Board of Directors for consideration at their October 2019 Special Board meeting where it was endorsed.

As a consequence the following new clause will be added to Regulations Part 6 – The Register & Registration which will be effective from 1 January, 2020:

8.12.2  The Minimum Breeding Age for Labrador Retriever bitches must be 18 months at the time of mating (unless a veterinary certificate is produced stating that for health reasons the bitch should be mated before 18 months).  Breeders of litters whelped on or after 1st June, 2020, will be required to comply with the requirements as a prerequisite to registration of any litter on the ANKC Ltd Main Register. Litters which do not meet the above requirements will only be able to be placed on the Limited Register and will be flagged not to be upgraded.

Tracey Barry

Administrator

In light of the recent and current bush fires that are ravaging NSW, please take the time to put together a survival plan in case of emergency. The weather is not set to improve in the near future, in fact CATASTROPHIC CONDITIONS are forecast for today, Tuesday 12 November. Taking the time to discuss a plan, can save you, your family’s and your animals' lives.

For advice on a plan of action, please visit click here.

To view fires in your area, and regular updates from the Rural Fire Service, please click here. 

If you and your dogs find yourself in need of emergency assistance, the Australian Dog Community group may be able to assist. Please click here. 

Please be aware that Evacuation points are located at DOGS NSW grounds at Orchard Hills Showgrounds and we are currently working on identifying other suitable locations for safe zones in Country Regions. Advice on this will be circulated as soon as it comes to hand.

Plans include future fundraising activities are under consideration, however this is not a priority at present. It is important that the assistance we offer is strategically targeted to assist members and is effective and timely in its deliverance.

DOGS NSW RELIEF DONATIONS
We have been advised that one of our members has been devastated by the current bush fires, and lost everything they own. DOGS NSW is appealing to members for assistance with monetary donations or donations of non-perishable items, dog food, crates, bowls, dog beds, along with any items which would assist our members with their dogs at this time of need.

Please email the office at [email protected] or call on 02 9834 3022, and the office staff will take your name and details. All donations will be gratefully received and can be dropped off at DOGS NSW Office at Orchard Hills. These will be stored until distribution can be arranged to those in need.

It would also be advantageous to develop a stockpile of these type of items in preparation for any future needs that may need addressing in future emergency situations.

FIRES! FROM AN INDIVIDUAL'S PERSONAL EXPERIENCE!

The following was a FB posting from Anne Sorraghan reprinted here with her permission.

• Do you have your woollen jumper, jeans, boots, mask, hat and goggles at the door? Covering up can save you.
• Fuel driven fire pumps may not work as the fire sucks the oxygen away 1/2 a kilometre ahead of the front!
• Windows melt!
• Spot fires erupt 15kms ahead of the front!
• The horrific winds blow trees over the roads so you can't escape.
• Visibility is zero in thick smoke.
• Burning logs and a million embers land on the roof carried by the fire storm!

While we patrolled the house as it burned, spraying against window ledges and the roof, outside the fire would go out, then erupt again, then go out, as the oxygen was used up. Inside kept us alive. Our neighbour asphyxiated beside his pool.

Have you tested how long it takes to pack the kids and dogs in the car?
Your dog trailer will NOT save your dog’s escaping through a fire! Fit them all in the car if you have to leave through flames.

YOU CAN"T BE TOO PREPARED, BECAUSE ONE MISTAKE CAN KILL YOU!