CCA| Health and Genetics - Chinook Club of America

Links to:

Research Updates

Chinook Seizure Info

Chinook
Coat Color
and Coat Length
Genetic Testing

CCA Health and Genetics Committee 2011-2012
Britain Hill, Amanda Bays, Wendy St. George, KJ Krammes,
Nancy Bartol, Deb Meese, Patti Richards, Mary Schatz

Chinook Dog Genetic Studies for 2011-2012

A Chinook dog genetic study by Dr. Mark Neff, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI is looking at Chinook temperament and collecting samples on shy, reserved, and solid temperaments. See more info under “Research Updates” on left sidebar. Please contact intervalechinooks@charter.net if you’d like more information. Van Andel’s Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Canine Behavior:

http://www.vai.org/Research/Labs/NeurogeneticsCanineBehavior.aspx

Dr. Roe Froman of the Van Andel Institute is collecting samples from canine cancer survivors. If your dog is a survivor, please help the research and submit a sample! Click here for info on how you can help this important research: http://www.tgen.org/research/canine-hcc-frm.cfm

Vetgen, L.L.C. of Ann Arbor, Michigan is offering DNA testing for certain coat traits in the Chinook. Breeders may use these tests to help identify coat color and coat length in the sire and dam of a potential breeding, allowing them to better predict coat traits in the offspring. Breeders can use this information to breed Chinooks with disqualifying colors and produce tawny offspring. As new information is learned, additional testing may become available but for now the following tests are offered: “E” series, “A” series, dilution, and short or long coat length.

How to order: Kits are comprised of tiny brushes for collecting DNA from your Chinook’s cheek. As you place tests in your shopping cart, any applicable discount will appear but you must assign the same animal number to the tests to get the discounted pricing. When you are done with your selections, proceed to the check out. Appropriate sample collection materials will then be sent to you, or to a “SHIP TO” address. Once submitted, you will receive your results via email in a PDF document or by US mail. Please review your results carefully and contact Vetgen with any questions. Vetgen continues to explore coat color and length in the Chinook, and it is possible that additional mutations may be found.

To order coat color and coat length kits for Chinooks:
http://www.vetgen.com/ordertests.aspx?id=Chinook
See sidebar for link to coat color and coat length research.

The Chinook Club of America, and our CCA Health and Genetics Committee encourages and supports research into health related issues that impact the Chinook Breed. The following core canine health and genetics organizations have had a positive impact on the health of the Chinook and are organizations CCA would like our members and our breeders to support.

The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation (CHF)

The CHF, founded in 1995, funds canine health with an emphasis on genetic research. CHF is the largest non-profit funder of exclusively canine research in the world. The Chinook was the recipient of a CHF ACORN Grant - Completed grant number 847-A: "Mapping and Identification of the Mutation Responsible for Epilepsy in the Chinook" by Gary S. Johnson, DVM, PhD at the University of Missouri.
The CHF website provides information on current and competed research projects sorted by disease, institution, breed, researcher and grant number. CCA has established a Donor Advised Fund with the CHF where contributions donated specifically to CCA's "Chinook Donor Advised Fund" will be used for Chinook Dog health and genetic research. These funds also earn interest, are tax deductible, and are often matched by CHF. Your donations to the Chinook Club of America's Chinook Donor Advised Fund are appreciated!

CHF provides educational services to parent clubs and dog owners including sponsoring health events, informational booths at major AKC conformation shows, and conducting canine health and genetics breeders' symposiums across the United States. Watch the Chinook Club of America website for notices on CHF events.

The Canine Health Information Center (CHIC)

CHIC is a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by the AKC CHF and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). CHIC's mission is: "to provide a source of health information for owners, breeders, and scientists that will assist in breeding healthy dogs". CHIC provides an open database that allows parent clubs to identify and track major health concerns within their breed so that breeders and buyers may have accurate information on which to base decisions.

To obtain a CHIC certification your Chinook must be permanently identified. CHIC testing for certification is individualized by the parent clubs for each breed. For Chinooks, testing is required for hips through the OFA or PennHIP, and eyes through the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF). At least one of the following elective exams is also required: an OFA cardiac evaluation, an OFA thyroid evaluation, or an OFA patellar luxation evaluation. A CHIC number is issued when a Chinook has completed the required tests including one elective test. Your Chinook dog will receive a CHIC number regardless of test results (passing or not passing). CHIC certified Chinooks can be found listed on the CHIC website.

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)

The OFA was originally founded in 1966 to investigate canine hip dysplasia but since this time the organization has expanded its goal to "improve the health and well being of companion animals through the reduction in the incidence of genetic disease". Some of the health databases maintained by the OFA include hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, autoimmune thyroiditis, congenital heart disease, shoulder OCD, as well as several DNA based databases. The OFA website provides health and genetics information, forms for testing and testing information, reports on breeds and individual dogs, and a list of coming health clinics.

OFA records can be searched by breed, name, and registration number: Over 800 Chinook evaluations may be researched on the OFA website.

Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF)

CERF maintains a health registry of dogs that have been certified free of known heritable eye disease that are specific for each breed. CERF issues reports on the prevalence of eye diseases by breed and publishes articles on various canine eye conditions such as cataracts, persistent pupillary membranes, and retinal dysplasia.

To receive a CERF certification, a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist exams your Chinook's eyes, advises you on any findings, and completes and mails a customized CERF form back to CERF. The owner fills out the back of the CERF form given by the vet, and mails the form along with the appropriate fee to CERF. The vet's form provides breed information to the CERF database while the owner's form is used to issue a one year eye certification to the owner. This certification is good for 12 months from the date of exam. Recertification requires additional exams.

CERF maintains an online verification page where Chinooks can be searched by their name, CERF number, or their registration number. CERF clinics are listed on their website (and on the OFA website) as well as a listing by state of board certified veterinary ophthalmologists.

The Chinook Club of America encourages all Chinook owners and Chinook breeders to participate in genetic research, health testing, and health certifications as they relate to their Chinook Dogs!