Interpreted by Honey Gross-Richardson

Official Interpreter for the

Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) and

German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia (GSDCA)

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The first success- taking stock!

All encompassing agreement and great understanding: The breeders and members commented entirely positively on the introduction of the Breed Value Assessment for HD in the SV!

Countless phone calls and requests in the Head Office document the great interest, that the members of the SV, have in this scheme. The decision of the federal general meeting of the SV to introduce the Breed Value Assessment for HD is generally welcomed. The SV thereby fulfils ist great responsibility towards the welfare of the German Shepherd breed!

The result of the last few weeks makes it clear, however, that there is still a very great need for education. As a matter of fact only a very few of the callers know what this procedure is all about. It shows, that the articles on the Breed Value Assessment published so far in the SV Zeitung, were clearly given little attention, or were not understood properly. Rumours went around and produced a feeling of uncertainty.

The Breed Value Delegates of the Regional Groups (Landesgruppen) are now very much in demand, and also of course, the Regional Breed Wardens, and those of the Branches. (Ortsgruppen) It is now their responsibility to inform the members and breeders of the SV of the procedure of the Breed Value Assessment for HD and its strengths and virtues, and to completely and comprehensively clarify the matter.

The announced decision of many breeders, to adopt the Breed Value Assessment

even before this becomes mandatory, (during July 99) and to adhere to this, until then not mandatory breeding plan, is very pleasing. With such wide spread support, the first successes in breeding towards a reduction of Hip Dysplasia in the German Shepherd Dog should soon be apparent!

BREED VALUE ASSESSMENT : HD What is it?

The right answers to the most prevalent questions.

"Where can I take my dog to have his breed value assessed?" , or "Which Breed Value is better, over 100 or under 100?" These are the questions about the Breed Value Assessment HD, that are put to the Head Office time and again.

That's why we have again compiled the most frequently made queries and Herr

Dr. Beuing, the administrator of the project, answers them for you.

1. How is the Breed Value HD worked out for my dog? What is the formula for it?

There is no precise formular in these calculations. The Breed Value of every animal is considered "unknown" at the beginning of the calculations. Then an equation is put up for every animal, of the formular:

HD = the breed average + Breed Value of this animal + variation of sex + other influences.

In this equation the breed average, breed value and the effect of the sex are formulated as the "cause" of HD. In the SV, 450,000 equations are formulated for 450,000 animals, with the 450,000 unknown Breed Values. Then some supplementary conditions (stipulations or prerequisites) of the laws of inheritance and heredity are mathematically formulated. Following this, the computer has to solve the 450,000 equations with the 450,000 unknown factors. The answers are the assessed (estimated) Breed Values. This means that there is no formular, in which a dog's breed value is worked out on its own.

2. What role does its own HD score play in my dog's HD Breed Value?

The dog's own HD grade modifies that, which was already known about the line (sire and dam). Siblings, (same father and same mother) may differ through their own HD status. If an animal has progeny, its own HD status slips more and more into the background. With 30 - 40 progeny, it is practically of no consequence.

3. How is a foreign "a" evaluated for the Breed Value Assessment?

At the this time, dogs from abroad with the "a" are evaluated in the formulations as though they were not x-rayed. Their Breed Value Assessment is gained only through their x rayed relatives. As these animals can no be clearly termed as "free" or "still Acceptable", an assumption in this case, would be unfair.

4. How can a dog, that was not x -rayed, have a Breed Value for HD?

In the system of equations (see Answer 1), there is a lateral clause, that the father (and the mother) give half of their genes to the progeny. Therefore the Breed Value of the progeny can be assessed or estimated, if nothing is known about the animal ( un x-rayed), as well as the breed value of the sire and dam are known. In the same way, a parent can be assessed if the progeny is known, because progeny have one half of their genes from their parents. Siblings on the one hand help to characterise the parents, the knowledge about the breed value of the parents helps on the other hand, to assess the breed value of the untested siblings.

5. How accurate can the Breed Value Assessment be, if for more than half of the whelps, no HD information is available?

In the Breed Value Assessment, the percentage of the pups does not matter, but the absolute number. The last Sieger has at this point in time, 71 x-rayed progeny, who characterise his heredity well. In the breed Value Assessment it is not the percentage of the whelps that counts, but the total number! The last Sieger, at this point in time, has his heritage well demonstrated by 71 progeny.

6. My bitch has passed on the "a" well up to now. What happens if I mate her to a dog that has a HD Breed Value over 100?

If the bitch has produced well, this must be seen in her Breed Value. Good progeny however, can also be the result of good matings. If the bitch, for instance, is mated to a dog with a value of 100, then the risk for the puppies is higher. The bitch is only "accredited negatively" if the pups are worse than could be expected with that dog.

Generally it is a fact that the stud dog owner would be well advised if he also accepted "poor" bitches, because with the poor bitches a dog can show plainly that he "improves"

With HD, where there is no freer than free, it is difficult to prove a positive heritability of the top bitches.

7. How do dogs that have no HD findings flow into the HD Breed Value calculations?

At this stage un-x rayed animals are neutral for the Breed Value Assessment, they are not taken into consideration.

8. What does the mean Breed Value of 100 mean, and the stated deviation of the standard of ten points mentioned in the breeding plan?

The Breed Value of 100 means, that the animal's heredity is typical for the breed. At this time the breed mean is 1,71, that is between HD free and slight HD. What is passed on, can be better or worse than 100.The average deviation above or below this, will be set at 10 points for the mean.

9. What does a Breed Value over 100 mean for my dog?

The Breed Value for one's own dog means that he passes on poorly. As the breed average itself is still unsatisfactory, matings should be strived for, that lie under 100. With this, "you must not throw out the baby with the bath water." The first priority is working ability, Temperament and so on. If one finds a stud dog who brings the expectations for the pups (the average of father and mother) below the 100 value, that is sufficient.

10. Conversely, what does a breed value below 100 mean for my dog?

A Breed Value below 100 means, that there is a greater freedom in the choice of dogs firm in character, strong in performance and of good construction, even if their breed value is around 100. With a bitch value of 83, one can even accept a dog of 117!

11. Can a Breed Value be worked out for criteria other than HD, and if yes, for which ones?

A breed value Assessment can be taken for other characteristics. For this, it is important, that the characteristic is accurately defined. The inheritance of size, it is thought, will be described next. These breed values would then be purely for the breeders' information in their breeding plans. There will be no editions published for this.

Dr. Reiner Beuing

University of Gießen

HD-Breed Value Assessment figures:

Where are they available?

All options at a glance

One of the main prerequisites for the success of the scheme to combat HD is naturally, that the HD Breed Values are available to all breeders members of the SV, and that they are generally known.

In the SV Zeitung of August 1998 the many opportunities available for breeders and members to access information on one or several HD Breed Values, were described. In spite of this, many members still don't know which of these possibilities could come under their consideration.

Here follows therefore, again, an overview of all alternatives.

1. If a PC is available:

Internet:

The quickest way to find out up to date Breed Values - provided there is an internet connection! Simply connect under "www.schaeferhund.de", then click on " HD Breed Value" in the SV Homepage, and follow the directions given. To be recommended if only a few Breed Values are quickly needed.

Virtues: Quick availability

Very up to date.

Faults: Costs. (Provider, telephone)

Low search comfort

Only a low utilization

Only for animals with HD findings.

Equipment: PC (from 486, Pentium I or II recommended) or a Macintosh PC

Modem (Analogous from 28.8 kpbs or ISDN)

Windows 95 or higher (from System 7.6 for Macintosh PC)

Microsoft Internet Explorer from version 4.0 or higher

(Shortly also possible with Netscape Navigator,

please watch for our notice in the internet.)

CD-ROM: "SV-GENETICS":

The professional software on the HD Breed Value Assessment Scheme, developed by the EDV Specialists of the SV Head Office. Quickly and in comfort, the HD Breed Values of over 400 dogs can be obtained from the CD-ROM. User friendly search modes, progeny lists with the click of a button, pedigree search, statistical interpretations, and many other functions are offered by this power software at a special price of only DM 20,00 per issue for annual subscriptions (Single version available for DM 25,00) The PC configuration should be of todays standards in order to achieve a reasonable performance. LG-Breed Value delegates, by the way, receive the "SV genetics" free of charge!

Advantages: Rapid availability via DC ROM

Very user friendly

numerous evaluating possibilities

The development of the HD Breed Values can be followed.

Low cost

Disadvantages: None!

Equipment: PC (from 486, Pentium I or II recommended)

CD-ROM player (10fold or faster recommended)

Windows 95 or higher

2. When no PC is available:

Postcard.

Simple, fast and conveniently, a HD Breed Value can be requested from the SV Head Office by post card. The self addressed post card must be sent, in an envelope, to the SV. On the back of the envelope please give the SV-number and name of the dog for whom the HD BReed Value is requested. In the Head Office, the actual HD Breed Value will be annotated and validated on the post card, and sent back on the same day.

Multi-Form

In the beginning of the scheme, the SV Head Office still issued print out lists for HD breed Values. It was found very quickly, however, that this method was not very practical. Apart from that, the majority of breeders know quite well, for which dogs they are going to request the HD Breed Values.

For this reason, from this moment onward, the HO will no longer make lists available. A form was developed instead, which enables the enquirer to obtain 10 HD Breed Values free of charge from the H.O. A sample, to be used for copying, is enclosed with this info letter. Usage of the system is as ever, uncomplicated: Simply fill in the name and SV number of the wanted dogs, give the sender's address, include stamps in the value of DM 1,10 for the return mail and post to the SV H.O. There the HD Breed Values will be completed on the same day and posted back.

Through the Ortsgruppen (Branches):

Here the SV has a tremendous potential, the infrastructure of which should definitely be utilized! In some of the branches, a PC is already available, and in most of the branches there are Executive members who own a computer.

Implement therefore a HD Breed Value service for your members and order the subscription to "SV-Genetic" from the SV Head Office today! With this your branch members will always be "up to date". Perhaps you can put into effect a small community fund with which to cover the subscription expenses.

Landesgruppen- (State) Breed Value delegates.

The State Breed Value delegates can naturally answer your questions. Primarily however, it is their task to give out information and education about the system itself. Of special importance herein, is the principle of the "Strategic Mating" (see the Article by Dr. Beuing, SV Zeitung 9/98)

Herein lies one of the very important advantages of the procedure: Every animal is breed worthy if, with a suitable breeding partner, it can produce below average hereditary disease factor progeny!

Together we have to create the awareness, that even animals with a HD Breed Value of more than 100, can be utilized significantly in breeding,if a correspondingly low hereditary disease factor partner can be found!

Under no circumstances should such animals, that are of an excellent type for instance, be barred from breeding! Otherwise the advantages of this breeding system would be wasted!

The Breed Value Delegates of the Landesgruppen (States) too, must gather experiences in the next few weeks. After all this procedure is new for all of us. Therefore please show some understanding if not all questions can be answered immediately and in an all encompassing manner.

Apart from that, the Head Office is still pleased to be available to deal with your questions. The addresses of the LG delegates are found on Page 7.

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How are the HD Breed Values documented?

This is how a Breed Value becomes plain to see:

At the beginning there is only a figure in place: the HD Breed Value, without explanation and sometimes also difficult to obtain again. If the HD Breed Value is under 100, there are rarely queries. It is quite different with Breed Values over 100: here one would want to know how exactly this value is obtained!

Working together with Dr. Beuing of the University of Gießen, the SV Head Office therefore developed a "Documentation of the mass of information in the HD Breed Value Assessment." (See illustration on next page.) In this page of statistics, all the data and factors are given, on which the calculations are based, starting with the values of the sire and dam, down to the values of the progeny. The HD findings and their percentage of distribution into the individual HD categories, are shown, with their respective departures, in comparison to the mean values of the breed.

In this manner, a HD Breed Value quickly becomes easy to see. This understanding also brings the necessary faith in the long since recognized scientific procedure of the Breed Value Assessment. Because it is so important, the documentation of the EDV-Specialists of the SV Head Office, was already built into the "SV-Genetics" : With the "press of a button", one can have such a statistic created on any animal! In one of the next Updates of the "SV - Genetics" the programme will also give a help line, on how the obtained result can be interpreted. Apart from that, the SV H.O. is happy to produce HD Breed Value statistics free of charge to SV members, on request. The request must just have a stamped self addressed envelope included.

Many requests for Breed Values

FIRST STATISTICAL OVERVIEW

The many inquiries on the scheme and for the HD Breed Values, clearly document the acceptance of the scheme on the part of the breeders and members.

That's why we have produced a small statistical list on the requests for HD Breed Values:

Since the 1st of September 1998 over 4.000 Breed Values have been asked for via the Internet.

During the same time frame more than 600 enquiries have been answered on post cards by the Head Office!

More than 400 members and breeders have since then ordered the Profi-Software " SV-Genetics" on the HD-Breed Value Assessments.

EXPERIENCES WITH BREED VALUE ASSESSMENTS

By Dr. Reiner Beuing of the Institute for animal husbandry and domestic animal genetics of the University of Gießen

The HD Breed Value Assessments, which depict the risk factor for the heritability of Hip Dysplasia (HD) are now generally available in the SV. On the internet (www.schaeferhund.de) as well as on CD-ROM (SV-Genetics) these findings on hereditability, given as relative figures, are there for the world to see. The opinions expressed so far are overall positive, there are two main reasons for this:

The application of the BV Assessment is very simple for the breeder. A Breed value of 100 characterises an animal whose heredity is typical for the breed.

Dogs with a breed value under 100 reduce the HD risk in the progeny, animals with breed values over 100 would intensify the problem of HD.

The breeder can select a stud dog for his bitch, whose breed value he knows, from the huge selection of breed surveyed dogs, who also conform to his wishes in respect of anatomy and performance.

The breeding plan to combat HD is comprehensively formulated and easy to apply.

The aim is to breed puppies with a value of under 100, that is with an under average HD hereditability. This value is gained from half the Father's breed value plus half of the mother's breed value, just as the genetic makeup of the puppy comprises half of the father, and half of the mother's genes. With the clear understanding of the HD findings that is created through the publication of the breed value of all animals, and updated every 3 months, the bitch owner now has the opportunity to breed, meeting his responsibilities. The SV has joined the avant garde of cynology by implementing the Breed Value Assessment.

Modern breed value assessment for HD in the dog, taking into consideration all related animals, was commenced in 1983 with the German Spaniel. (D.Wachtelhund) The German Hunting Terrier followed suit with the Breed Value Assessments for the hereditability of lense luxation. (LL) This eye defect, typical for Terriers, had a frequency of around 2%. Together with this, the breeders were offered the Breed Value for hereditability of size and of four hunting attributes. (Nose, giving tongue, working under ground and love of water)

With the availability of a Breed Value Assessment, there arose insecurity in the application of the findings. As the breed value figures are only an assessment, an estimation, and therefore depend largely on the current documented findings, a selection with the view of a general disqualification from breeding for animals burdened with a hereditary disposition towards the defect does not make sense. It is not feasible that a bitch is barred from breeding today, and readmitted with the next breed value assessment, and then barred again. The manner of dealing with this, must be made more flexible.

The concept, of not depending on the suitability of breeding animals (parents) as prerequisite, but to build on the suitability of a mating, was absolutely new in animal breeding. The principle of a "strategic mating" was born. Every animal is suitable for breeding if, with a suitable partner, it preduces below average hereditary disease factor progeny.

The principle of this breeding plan was adopted by the German Retriever Club (DRC) for Golden Retrievers, and was also adopted by the Hovawart Breed Club as their breeding strategy. While the Retriever breeders have altered their mandatory clause to "recommendation to responsible breeders" after the first (successful) year, the Hovawart breeders have strictly adhered to their breeding plans.

The positive principle fell upon fruitful ground in the Retriever club, because even though they only bred with HD free dogs, the up till then positive trend dropped back from 1984 onwards. Fig. 1 shows that the number of HD-free animals went steadily down. With introduction of the Breed Value Assessment 1989, taking the HD grades of all relatives into consideration, it was now possible to differentiate between those HD free dogs that are producers of good hips, and those that are not.

The flexible breeding plan, that leaves all bitches in the kennels principally untouched, and therefore maintains the breeding potential and the continued breeding programme in the kennels, immediately reversed the trend. Today, the 90% mark for HD free animals has been surpassed with pride, with an x-raying quota of 70%!

The Hunting Terrier breeders however, found it more difficult. Lense Luxation appears between the 3rd and 5th year of life, and was often kept secret. The honest ones felt deceived, and the diagnosis was not always made by competent ophthalmologist. That's why a breeding plan had to be formulated that as well as the Breed Value Assessment also had supporting conditions in regard to the obtaining and accuracy of information.

A network of appointed veterinarians was created, entrusted with giving the concerned owners competent advice and help. A communal treasury was put into effect, into which every breeder paid DM 10.00 per puppy. From this treasury, assistance to the tune of DM 500.00 was paid to owners to soften the cost of the necessary eye operation. DNA testing ensured that the affected puppy was not accredited to the wrong parents.

Overall a campaign of education with articles and breeder seminars, has led to this hereditary defect being dealt with in a responsible and less emotivemanner. How strongly the breeders now feel the responsibility towards their breeding aims, is shown in fig. 2. When the Breed Values were published, and the principles of Strategic Matings were begun to be understood, ( limit for matings not higher than 105) the yearly average for LL dropped from year to year. The breed standard that has swung up to 112 in the beginning, has dropped, today, down to 95. The frequency of affected animals lays at 0,8% even though the reporting of cases has risen through the guarantee certificate that is issued with every pedigree.

The fact that through the Breed Value Assessment, a measurable criterion is within reach, and a breeder can now document his efforts towards producing soundness, seems to me, to be the driving force. Successful breeding in respect to conformation and performance was honoured, up to now, with the Sieger title, Championships and trophies. Now it will certainly become attractive to present animals free from hereditary disease. How important a breeding programme such as that of the SV is, and how important it is to put it into effect unwaveringly, shall be demonstrated with the Club Berger des Pyrenees (Pyrenean Mountain Dog), who. as a new club instituted the Breed Value Assessment with Strategic Matings (limit 102). The first x ray campaign did not give a rosy picture with less than 10% of free animals. The Breed Value Assessment however immediately placed the finger on the root of the problem, and already in the next year there was a rise in the HD free animals. (Fig 3) As a result of this breeding strategy no longer being mandatory from the year 1992, but "only" as a recommendation, the number of HD free animals dropped again. The club was well advised in 1995, to decree that the breeding regulations were to be mandatory again. Fig 3 shows the ensuing rapid rise. In the graph, it is to be noted, that the year 1997 x-rays have just begun to come in.

Today, HD is practically no longer a restricting problem in the Pyrenean Mountain Dog. Through a bond for x raying, a figure of around 60 to 70 % of submission is achieved. Almost every bitch finds a sufficient number of breeding partners which safeguard the upper limit-value for the mating.

Further breeds could be named, whose successful breeding is supported by breed value figures. The SV will score its own successes when the plates of the year 1999 enter the x ray programme. up to then there is no other way for the breeders, but to put their faith in the experiences of other clubs, and to see how the breeders accept and utilize the offered programme.

The image of the SV in the public eye, will profit from it because Champion and Working Dog Breeding will not be practised at the expense of, but in unison, with soundness.

Brochure ON BREED VALUE ASSESSMENT

For all those who are interested in the scientific side of the Breed Value Assessment, we here recommend the brochure "Breeding Strategies of cynology" by Dr. Reiner G.Breuing.

This volume was produced in order to give the breed clubs an overview of the methodology, their scientific classification, and their application in dog breeding. The articles, commentaries and statistics are meant at the same time, to give the breeders an insight and therewith the understanding of their contributions and responsibilities that they take on towards the welfare of the dogs and their owners.

Finally the compilation is meant to serve the conscientious breeding directors and breeders by motivating them to turn towards liberal, constructive and effective breeding methods.

The brochure is available from the SV Head Office for DM 10.00 towards covering expenses.

ATTENTION: As we have just been informed, the volume is presently out of print.

Work has already commenced on a new edition. We shall place

notification in the SV Zeitung, as soon as the new edition is available!

Interpreted by Honey Gross-Richardson

Official Interpreter for the

Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) and

German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia (GSDCA)