Potentially Eliminating Genetice Diseases

Many diseases in the domestic dog are genetic in origin. Examples are vWD, Collie Eye Anomaly, portosystemic shunt, hemophilia, Scottie Cramp, hip dysplasia, Legg/Calvé Perthes, medial patellar luxation, and craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO) -- the list is very long. So far, over five hundred genetic diseases have been identified in purebred dogs, and over a hundred in mixed breeds. They can affect conformation, health (virtually all systems in the body are subject), and temperament. In Scotties alone there are 36 identified genetic diseases, with similar numbers affecting each of several other terrier breeds.

There is a great deal of scientific research being performed on the identification of the specific causes of genetic diseases. Because some of the diseases exhibited by dogs are also evident in humans -- vWD is the most common human inherited blood disease -- some benefit could derive from canine research which would be of use in pursuing the human form of the same, or related, diseases.

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