Understanding coat, color, & and genetics
Here at Cooper Ridge Aussies all of our dogs are health tested both genetically and physically, by OFA evaluations for Hips/Elbows and OFA eye CERFs to preserve the breed standard, and maintain a healthy bloodline. We have been acknowledged by Good Dog for being an excellent breeder when it comes to health testing!
WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU AND YOUR DOG
Genetic DNA testing is important and should be done on all dogs in a breeding program to help insure the health and longevity of all puppies produced. If you do not know what genetic issues are present in your dogs, there is no way you can prevent these health issues from being passed on from generation to generation. Testing isn't a sure thing. There are always those instances where things happen no matter what precautions are taken.
All breeding dogs have their hips/elbows evaluated with the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) prior to being used in our breeding program.
Possible results of the testing are listed below.
Each gene tested has 3 potential outcomes which are clear, carrier or affected:
CLEAR – means they are not at risk for the disease and can’t pass on any genes to their puppies where the puppies would be at risk.
CARRIER – means they are not at risk for the disease but if they’re bred to another carrier for the same disease, their puppies have a 25% chance of being affected, a 25% chance of being clear and a 50% chance of being a carrier for the disease
AFFECTED – means they are at risk for the disease and even if they’re bred to a dog that’s clear for the disease, their puppies will be carriers.
There are 9 diseases that Australian Shepherds are susceptible for AND for which tests are available:
CEA – Stands for Collie Eye Anomaly. The gene tested is NHEJ1.
Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), also known as choroidal hypoplasia (CH), is an inherited disease affecting several dog breeds including the Australian shepherd. The choroid is the layer of tissue in the eye responsible for supplying blood and nutrients to the Retina. In dogs affected with CEA, the choroid does not develop properly and is therefore thinner than normal.
CD – Stands for Cone Degeneration. The gene tested is CNGB3.
Cone Degeneration (CD) causes day blindness; affected dogs can’t see in bright light but have normal vision when the light level is low. Affected dogs develop day blindness (blindness in bright light) and Photophobia (light sensitivity) between 8 to 12 weeks after birth due to degeneration of cells in the eye called cone photoreceptors which are responsible for vision in bright light
DM – Stands for Degenerative Myelopathy. The gene tested is SOD1.
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a progressive disease of the spinal cord in older dogs. The disease has an insidious onset typically between 8 and 14 years of age. It begins with a loss of coordination (ataxia) in the hind limbs. The affected dog will wobble when walking, knuckle over or drag the feet. Affected dogs usually present in adulthood with gradual muscle Atrophy and loss of coordination typically beginning in the hind limbs due to degeneration of the nerves. The condition is not typically painful for the dog, but will progress until the dog is no longer able to walk.
HC – Stands for Hereditary Cataracts (Australian Shepherd Type). The gene tested is HSF4.
Hereditary Cataracts (HC) are a leading form of blindness in the dog. During 2006 our researchers identified a genetic mutation in a small number of Australian Shepherds affected with Hereditary Cataract (HC). The results show conclusively that the mutation is a risk factor for the development of cataract in the Australian Shepherd. Light cannot pass through the parts of the lens affected by cataracts and vision becomes blurry. Dogs with hereditary cataracts (Australian shepherd type) most commonly present between 2 to 7 years of age with small cataracts that are visible on a veterinary eye exam.
HUU – Stands for Hyperuricosuria. The gene tested is SLC2A9.
Hyperuricosuria is an inherited condition affecting Australian Shepherds. The SLC2A9 gene codes for a protein that allows the kidneys to transport uric acid from the urine. Dogs with mutations in both copies of the SLC2A9 gene are predisposed to have elevated levels of uric acid in the urine, hence the name hyperuricosuria. Uric acid can form crystals and/or stones (uroliths) in the urinary tract. Dogs with hyperuricosuria most commonly present with symptoms of recurrent urinary tract inflammation, which include frequent urination, blood in the urine, and straining to urinate. They may also have loss of appetite, lethargy, weakness, vomiting and pain. Urinary stones in the bladder can cause urinary tract infections or more seriously, blockage of the urethra.
MDR1 – Stands for Multidrug Resistance 1. The gene tested is ABCB1.
MDR1 Multidrug Sensitivity gene, or multi-drug resistance gene, codes for a protein that is responsible for protecting the brain by transporting potentially harmful chemicals away from the brain. In certain breeds, including Australian Shepherds, a mutation occurs in the MDR1 gene that causes sensitivity to Ivermectin, Loperamide, and a variety of other drugs. The defective protein inhibits the dog's ability to remove certain drugs from the brain, leading to a buildup. As a result of the accumulation of these toxins, the dog can show neurological symptoms, such as seizure and even death. The MDR1 mutation does not cause adverse effects in dogs unless the dog is exposed to these drugs. Therefore, veterinarians should be notified when a dog is at risk for MDR1 prior to administration of any medications.
*Drugs known to cause neurological signs related to the MDR1 mutation: ** SEE OUR DO NOT USE DRUGS PAGE**
CMR1 – Stands for Multifocal Retinopathy 1. The gene tested is BEST1.
Multifocal Retinopathy 1 is an inherited disorder of the Retina affecting Australian Shepherds. Affected dogs typically present between 11 and 16 weeks of age with multiple discrete circular areas of retinal detachment with underlying fluid accumulation that are visible on an eye exam performed by a veterinarian. These blister-like lesions are typically found in both eyes and can appear gray, tan, orange or pink and vary in number, size and location. Progression of retinal changes is usually slow and new lesions are not noted after 6 to 12 months of age. Occasionally as affected dogs age, lesions appear to heal and are no longer visible on an eye exam. Generally the dog’s vision is not affected
although vision loss has been described in some cases of multifocal retinopathy 1.
NCL6 – Stands for Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 6. The gene tested is CLN6.
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 6 (NCL6) is a lysosomal storage disease affecting Australian Shepherds. Affected dogs lack a specific Enzyme necessary for normal metabolism. As a result, there is an abnormal accumulation of waste compounds primarily in the cells of the nervous system, leading to a range of nervous system disorders. Affected dogs present around 1.5 years of age with progressive neurologic disease. Symptoms include loss of vision, behavioral change, anxiety, lack of muscle coordination and abnormal gait. Affected dogs are often humanely euthanized by 2 years of age due to progression of the disease.
PRA-PRCD – Stands for Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration. The gene tested is PRCD.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a group of eye diseases featuring the gradual degeneration of the retina. Each type has a different genetic cause. Aussies are known to have a form of PRA called progressive rod cone degeneration (prcd.) Evidence of retinal disease in affected dogs can first be seen on an Electroretinogram around 1.5 years of age for most breeds, but most affected dogs will not show signs of vision loss until 3 to 5 years of age or later. The rod type cells are affected first and affected dogs will initially have vision deficits in dim light (night blindness) and loss of peripheral vision.
Coat Genetics and Pairing:
There are 4 acceptable colors in the Australian Shepherd breed. Blue Merle, Black, Red Merle, and Red all with or without white and/or copper trim. Breeding merle to merle is unacceptable as each puppy has a chance of being born blind and deaf as a result. Breeding tri to tri produces all tri's therefore, the preferred color crosses are blue merle to black tri, blue merle to red tri, red merle to black tri, and red merle to red tri.
In addition, red to red yields all reds so breeding a red merle to a red tri produces ONLY red merle & red tri puppies. And since tri to tri yields all tri's, breeding red tri to red tri yields all red tri's. To produce red puppies, either red tri or red merle, BOTH parents must be red factored, not red in color, but one that carries a red gene.
In a breeding where one parent is red, such as blue merle to red tri or red merle to black tri, typically there are more red's in the litter.
In a breeding where one parent is NOT red factored, the litter will only produce blue merle and black tri as, again, BOTH parents must be red factored to produce red puppies. For instance breeding a blue merle that is not red factored to a black tri that is red factored will yield only blue merle and black tri. Also breeding a blue merle that is not red factored to a red tri or breeding a red merle to a black tri that is not red factored will only produce blue merle and black tri ... no red's.
Furthermore, any puppy that has a red parent IS red factored as a red gene is all a red parent has to offer so even in litters where there are no red puppies, if one parent is red in color, ALL the puppies in the litter are red factored meaning they can produce red puppies when bred to a red or red factored mate. Puppies from a blue merle/black tri cross where one or both parents are red factored have a 50/50 chance of being red factored.
Here’s how red factoring works:
Blue merle and black tri’s that are NOT red factored carry a black/black gene receiving a black gene from each parent.
Blue merle and black tri’s that ARE red factored carry a black/red gene receiving a black gene from one parent and a red gene from the other parent.
Red merle and red tri’s carry a red/red gene and ARE red factored. Because a red dog is a red/red and a red gene is all a red parent has to offer his or her puppies so any puppy with a red parent IS red factored.
Blue merle and black tri puppies with a red factored blue merle parent AND a red factored black tri parent have a 50/50 chance of receiving the red gene from only one parent. Puppies in the litter who receive the red gene from BOTH of their parents in this color cross are in fact red in color because red dogs carry a red/red gene so the red puppies in the litter received a red gene from BOTH parents.
Blue merle and black tri puppies from a red factored blue merle (black/red) and NON red factored black tri (black/black), or red factored black tri ( black/red) and non red factored blue merle (black/black), still have a 50/50 chance of receiving a red gene from the red factored parent but will receive a black gene from the non red factored parent making the puppy either black/black (NOT red factored) or black/red (red factored) on the gene scale.
If the blue merle or black tri puppy is black/black, receiving the black gene from both parents, he/she is NOT red factored. If the blue merle or black tri puppy is black/red he/she received the red gene from one parent and IS red factored and can produce red puppies when bred to a red or red factored mate.
Copper trim is recessive. In a breeding where one parent has copper trim and one parent does not have copper trim, some puppies will have copper trim and some will not. In a breeding where both parents have copper trim ALL the puppies in the litter will have copper trim. In a breeding where neither parent has copper trim, none of the puppies will have copper trim. A black & white puppy with no copper trim is a black bi. A red and white puppy with no copper trim is a red bi.
Most of our dogs here at Cooper Ridge Aussies are red factored (RF) and most planned breeding pairs will produce all colors.
