Things are Changing.
How to Look at Genetic Test Results in 2020
Things are Changing. Canine genetic science is breaking new ground rapidly. Founded in late 2016, the non-profit Doberman Diversity Project (DDP) partnered with Embark Veterinary, the official research partner lab of Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine to bring to Doberman breeders and owners reduced-cost access to cutting edge genetic testing and analysis, and strongly advises puppy buyers and breeders to reconsider how they understand and utilize today's DNA testing.
Looking for "Good" DNA Test Results? Until recently, most breeders and buyers looked for good results : "negative" or "clear" (free of disease-associated mutations) or at most "carrier" status (the dog carries one mutated copy and one normal copy of the gene) status on DNA tests for Doberman specific DNA tests. Most looked for a dog that tested "clear" on the PDK4 and DCM2 tests (both are tests for mutations associated with Dilated Cardiomyopathy, also known as "DCM"). As we learn more, this view is changing. We increasingly understand that embracing this approach, without considering the fuller picture, might accelerate the problems of disease-associated genetic mutations in the Doberman breed.
Add "Genetic COI" to your list of considerations. It Matters. New genetic testing technologies are focused not merely on the results from DNA tests for specific genetic problems (e.g., PDK4 aka DCM1, DCM2, etc.) but on a much bigger picture including the new Genetic COI which has replaced the old COI math calculations found behind common pedigree COI calculators. Read more about COI and why it matters: COI 101 . Want to read more? Check out this short explanation from our testing partner, Embark Veterinary: https://embarkvet.com/resources/dog-health/oedipus-rex-inbreeding-its-consequences-and-its-quantification/
The new Genetic COI is based on your Dog's Actual Genetics. Sit Down and hold onto your Hat. Today we are able to test for Genetic COI (percentage of inbreeding) and what we are discovering is shocking. Here's one example: A dog with a 7.2% pedigree-calculated COI (based on pedigree calculator that used ten generations) has an actual Genetic COI of 42%. In July 2020, the average genetic COI of all Dobermans tested through the Doberman Diversity Project proved to be an astounding 39% COI, with a range of 17% to 66%.
Why should we care about high COIs? Most states prohibit marriage between cousins, as birth defects in children of cousins are double the rate of non-related individuals. Read more about the risk of high levels of inbreeding: COI 201
But Genetic Diversity Will Save the Doberman, Right? While research into genetic disease and diversity is ongoing, we have far too much to learn before it's a good idea to move all of your eggs from a well-rounded breeder's basket (considering ancestral health and longevity, disease-specific DNA test results, clinical test results, conformation, and temperament) to the genetic diversity basket. While a small group of breeders have jumped into breeding for diversity, and advertise such when they promote litters of puppies (some claiming the two parents are "unrelated'), be careful about adopting this approach. "Unrelated" Doberman matings are not only impossible; such claims are very misleading, at best. The Doberman Diversity Project was able to identify the two least related Dobermans of over 3,000 tested dogs from 54 countries, and found that those two dogs were as related (shared as much common DNA) as pups from a brother/sister mating, a mother/son mating, and a father/daughter mating. Think about that for just a moment -- the two LEAST related Dobermans of thousands tested from 54 countries are VERY related/inbred. So claims of litters of 'unrelated' puppies, based on small DNA test panels created only to assess diversity, are simply false.
The fact is that breeding for diversity, as opposed to breeding for lower Genetic COI and several other considerations, has not been proven to improve the health or longevity of individual Doberman puppies or litters. Respected PhD Veterinary Geneticists have cautioned the Doberman community that breeding for what a very small test panel indicates is a rare genetic marker may be very risky, especially when scientists don't yet know what those genetic markers represent. Only a few years ago, scientists used to think there was a lot of "junk DNA" out there. Today, they know that "junk" DNA isn't junk at all, but actually codes for many critical things. And "rare" markers may turn out to be very common and/or something you might wish the breeder hadn't preserved. Remember that in nature, the strongest survive and sometimes, rare is rare for a reason -- and may not be desirable.
So, what do the experts advise? Until definitive evidence is available, Breeders should maintain a balanced approach to breeding. To date, there is no research demonstrating that breeding for diversity will increase health and longevity in individual Dobermans. We do not yet know if it will positively or negatively impact health and longevity in the Doberman.
So, What's a Breeder to Do? Until more research is done, stick with what is proven and consider science on the edge. Breeders should understand their dog's ancestors longevity and health. And by that, we don't just mean the dogs on their dogs' pedigrees. Investigate siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, great aunts and uncles. Knowing a pedigree requires much more than knowing only those dogs who are on the pedigree; learn about extended family. Longevity in the Doberman breed can appear and disappear fast. If the maternal grandmother of a puppy lived to be 13 years old, don't assume that longevity is heritable (will be passed on). As you're studying extended family, look for significant clusters/strings of long-lived dogs that pass on longevity consistency through generations, but don't be so focused on longevity that you fail to notice the many short-lived dogs. Know each breeding dog's genetic and clinical disease test results, and understand how inbred (Genetic COI, not pedigree COI) they are. Ask the breeder about the results of their dog's test from the Doberman Diversity Project (DDP). Breeders should keep an eye on conformation and temperament and NOT throw the baby out with the bathwater as a result of a genetic test result. If a breeder has a dog with a "defect" they should talk with a PhD Veterinary Geneticist before removing the dog from the breeding pool and keep in mind that most dogs can be bred if they are mated with the correct mate that will not double up on 'defects' but will improve the next generation. With our testing partner's new FREE virtual MatchMaker tool, breeders can usually find a way to keep a dog that might otherwise be excluded from breeding, and pair him wisely with the perfect match so that the puppies gain the parents' strengths but not their defects. As a bonus, this free breeding tool also predicts the litter COI of each potential mating. So you'll know the outcome before actually executing a mating.
Found an Expert? Trust but Verify. There is a lot of 'urban legend' material out there. But frankly, much of it is not remotely accurate. The most outspoken 'experts' are rarely experts at all. In fact, we have found that the more education/expertise someone has in genetic science, the harder it is to get them to commit to any "which is better" answer. If someone claims to be an expert, ask them about where they earned their Ph.D. in genetics. If they are selling access to their advice, run, don't walk away. If you want to speak to a PhD Veterinary Geneticist who DOES know their stuff, let us know. We'll hook you up with one of the world's most respected experts on the subject and/or connect you to a respected geneticist at a university near you. And, it won't cost you a dime. Because we believe that education is only helpful to our breed if it's ACCURATE.
Learn more about the DDP today by visiting www.DobermanDiversityProject.ORG
Looking for "Good" DNA Test Results? Until recently, most breeders and buyers looked for good results : "negative" or "clear" (free of disease-associated mutations) or at most "carrier" status (the dog carries one mutated copy and one normal copy of the gene) status on DNA tests for Doberman specific DNA tests. Most looked for a dog that tested "clear" on the PDK4 and DCM2 tests (both are tests for mutations associated with Dilated Cardiomyopathy, also known as "DCM"). As we learn more, this view is changing. We increasingly understand that embracing this approach, without considering the fuller picture, might accelerate the problems of disease-associated genetic mutations in the Doberman breed.
Add "Genetic COI" to your list of considerations. It Matters. New genetic testing technologies are focused not merely on the results from DNA tests for specific genetic problems (e.g., PDK4 aka DCM1, DCM2, etc.) but on a much bigger picture including the new Genetic COI which has replaced the old COI math calculations found behind common pedigree COI calculators. Read more about COI and why it matters: COI 101 . Want to read more? Check out this short explanation from our testing partner, Embark Veterinary: https://embarkvet.com/resources/dog-health/oedipus-rex-inbreeding-its-consequences-and-its-quantification/
The new Genetic COI is based on your Dog's Actual Genetics. Sit Down and hold onto your Hat. Today we are able to test for Genetic COI (percentage of inbreeding) and what we are discovering is shocking. Here's one example: A dog with a 7.2% pedigree-calculated COI (based on pedigree calculator that used ten generations) has an actual Genetic COI of 42%. In July 2020, the average genetic COI of all Dobermans tested through the Doberman Diversity Project proved to be an astounding 39% COI, with a range of 17% to 66%.
Why should we care about high COIs? Most states prohibit marriage between cousins, as birth defects in children of cousins are double the rate of non-related individuals. Read more about the risk of high levels of inbreeding: COI 201
But Genetic Diversity Will Save the Doberman, Right? While research into genetic disease and diversity is ongoing, we have far too much to learn before it's a good idea to move all of your eggs from a well-rounded breeder's basket (considering ancestral health and longevity, disease-specific DNA test results, clinical test results, conformation, and temperament) to the genetic diversity basket. While a small group of breeders have jumped into breeding for diversity, and advertise such when they promote litters of puppies (some claiming the two parents are "unrelated'), be careful about adopting this approach. "Unrelated" Doberman matings are not only impossible; such claims are very misleading, at best. The Doberman Diversity Project was able to identify the two least related Dobermans of over 3,000 tested dogs from 54 countries, and found that those two dogs were as related (shared as much common DNA) as pups from a brother/sister mating, a mother/son mating, and a father/daughter mating. Think about that for just a moment -- the two LEAST related Dobermans of thousands tested from 54 countries are VERY related/inbred. So claims of litters of 'unrelated' puppies, based on small DNA test panels created only to assess diversity, are simply false.
The fact is that breeding for diversity, as opposed to breeding for lower Genetic COI and several other considerations, has not been proven to improve the health or longevity of individual Doberman puppies or litters. Respected PhD Veterinary Geneticists have cautioned the Doberman community that breeding for what a very small test panel indicates is a rare genetic marker may be very risky, especially when scientists don't yet know what those genetic markers represent. Only a few years ago, scientists used to think there was a lot of "junk DNA" out there. Today, they know that "junk" DNA isn't junk at all, but actually codes for many critical things. And "rare" markers may turn out to be very common and/or something you might wish the breeder hadn't preserved. Remember that in nature, the strongest survive and sometimes, rare is rare for a reason -- and may not be desirable.
So, what do the experts advise? Until definitive evidence is available, Breeders should maintain a balanced approach to breeding. To date, there is no research demonstrating that breeding for diversity will increase health and longevity in individual Dobermans. We do not yet know if it will positively or negatively impact health and longevity in the Doberman.
So, What's a Breeder to Do? Until more research is done, stick with what is proven and consider science on the edge. Breeders should understand their dog's ancestors longevity and health. And by that, we don't just mean the dogs on their dogs' pedigrees. Investigate siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, great aunts and uncles. Knowing a pedigree requires much more than knowing only those dogs who are on the pedigree; learn about extended family. Longevity in the Doberman breed can appear and disappear fast. If the maternal grandmother of a puppy lived to be 13 years old, don't assume that longevity is heritable (will be passed on). As you're studying extended family, look for significant clusters/strings of long-lived dogs that pass on longevity consistency through generations, but don't be so focused on longevity that you fail to notice the many short-lived dogs. Know each breeding dog's genetic and clinical disease test results, and understand how inbred (Genetic COI, not pedigree COI) they are. Ask the breeder about the results of their dog's test from the Doberman Diversity Project (DDP). Breeders should keep an eye on conformation and temperament and NOT throw the baby out with the bathwater as a result of a genetic test result. If a breeder has a dog with a "defect" they should talk with a PhD Veterinary Geneticist before removing the dog from the breeding pool and keep in mind that most dogs can be bred if they are mated with the correct mate that will not double up on 'defects' but will improve the next generation. With our testing partner's new FREE virtual MatchMaker tool, breeders can usually find a way to keep a dog that might otherwise be excluded from breeding, and pair him wisely with the perfect match so that the puppies gain the parents' strengths but not their defects. As a bonus, this free breeding tool also predicts the litter COI of each potential mating. So you'll know the outcome before actually executing a mating.
Found an Expert? Trust but Verify. There is a lot of 'urban legend' material out there. But frankly, much of it is not remotely accurate. The most outspoken 'experts' are rarely experts at all. In fact, we have found that the more education/expertise someone has in genetic science, the harder it is to get them to commit to any "which is better" answer. If someone claims to be an expert, ask them about where they earned their Ph.D. in genetics. If they are selling access to their advice, run, don't walk away. If you want to speak to a PhD Veterinary Geneticist who DOES know their stuff, let us know. We'll hook you up with one of the world's most respected experts on the subject and/or connect you to a respected geneticist at a university near you. And, it won't cost you a dime. Because we believe that education is only helpful to our breed if it's ACCURATE.
Learn more about the DDP today by visiting www.DobermanDiversityProject.ORG
