on Enhancement of Genetic Health in Purebred Dogs Arranged by SKK on - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The 1st International Workshop

• n Enhancement of Genetic

Health in Purebred Dogs

Arranged by SKK on June 2-3 2012, in Stockholm, Sweden

Background

• Health problems in pedigree dogs have received

increased attention

• Many initiatives are underway to examine issues at

local, organizational, national, international and governmental levels

• To move forward in the most effective and efficient

way, coordinated and collaborative actions are needed to deal with existing and future issues influencing the health and well-being of dogs

Main objectives of Dog Health Workshop

• Providing an opportunity to exchange experiences

and views on the enhancement of canine genetic health

• Initiate a continuous international collaboration

between various stakeholders that share a responsibility for dog health and welfare

Attention Awareness ACTION

It is time for actions

rather than more attention

Organizing Committee

• Åke Hedhammar, prof. Swedish University of

Agricultural Sciences

• Sofia Malm, PhD. SKK, geneticist
• Annika Klang. SKK, PA to the managing

director

• Ulf Uddman. SKK, managing director
• Helena Skarp. SKK, head of department of

breeding and health

Top science news at Dog Health Workshop

• Almost one third of the participants (mostly

researchers in field of canine genetics) were also attending the 6th International Conference on Advances in Canine and Feline Genomics and Inherited Diseases during the week before in Visby, Sweden

• Top science news and competence

were thereby brought into the discussions of several issues related to canine genetic health

Attending stakeholders

• Kennel clubs (FCI and 15 national clubs)
• Scientists/researchers
• The veterinary profession
• Foundations
• Breed clubs and individual breeders
• Animal welfare organizations
• The pet industry
• Authorities/legislative bodies

Comments on attending stakeholders

• The attendee represented a wide variety of

competences related to the enhancement of canine genetic health

• The cynological “world” was well represented by the

FCI board and its Breeding, Standard and Scientific commissions and the presidents of several European kennel clubs including Professor Steve Dean, Chairman

• f the KC (UK)
• Among numerous veterinarians, the OFA foundation

and the AKC Canine Health Foundation was well represented by their board

• International welfare organization were there

Countries represented

• 135 participants from 24 countries
• Europe: 110
• North America: 18
• South America: 3
• Oceania: 4

Workshop outline Before the workshop

• Material and references available online

At the workshop

• Seven key issues were introduced in plenum by

appointed introducers

• Each issue was discussed in specific sessions

– Approx. 20 persons per group – Time for discussions: 3.5 h

Workshop outline, cont.

• The discussions were summarised and presented in

plenum by appointed facilitators

• Future perspectives were presented at the end of the

workshop

After the workshop

• More extensive notes were prepared by especially

appointed note takers

Key issues

• Prerequisites and procedures for recognition of

breeds and varieties

• Harmonisation of screening procedures and

certifications

• Validation and utilization of genetic tests in dog

breeding

• Interventions for anatomical soundness and

avoidance of extreme phenotypes

• Development of breed-specific breeding programmes
• Selection for behavioural traits
• Formation of platforms for collaborative efforts

Workshop Follow up

• The presentations held by the introducers and

facilitators have been made available at the workshop web page (www.doghealthworkshop.com) hosted by SKK

• Based on presentations and extensive notes, the

workshop organizers will

• 1. Propose strategies and actions to be taken for

each issue

• 2. Have them ”circulated” to the participants
• 3. Have them ”posted” on the web page for the

workshop

Prerequisites and procedures for recognition of breeds and varieties Proposal from workshop

Stricter regulations for international recognition

• f breeds are strongly recommended with respect to

genetic variation:

• Separation of breed varieties (i.e., differences in

colour, coat, size and function) by rules and regulations that do not allow interbreeding between the varieties should be counteracted

• New breeds created out of already existing breeds

should not be recognized

• National varieties of already existing breeds should not

be recognized as new breeds

• Outline procedures for evaluation of the health

status in dog populations

• Outline procedures for how to apply molecular

genetic tools for the evaluation of dog populations

• An international databank for storage of molecular

genetic material and data on individual breeds should be encouraged

Prerequisites and procedures for recognition of breeds and varieties, cont.

Achieved

• New rules for recognition of breeds by FCI under

preparation by its Scientific and Standard Commissions

Prerequisites and procedures for recognition of breeds and varieties, cont.

Harmonisation of screening procedures and certifications Proposal from workshop

A working committee should be created to

• initiate, harmonize and validate screening procedures
• identify and prioritize issues to put in a database
• suggest a uniform terminology for use in the database
• inform, educate and motivate stakeholders
• implement screening procedures and breeding

programs in veterinary educations

• initiate and harmonize web based health

questionnaires for dog owners

Validation and utilization of genetic tests in dog breeding Proposal from workshop

• Outline procedures for technical validation of tests

and testing laboratories for molecular genetic tests to be used in screening of dogs for breeding, including laboratory quality control and new test validation procedures

• Outline recommendations for proper use of genetic

tests in various populations, in close collaboration with kennel clubs and breed clubs

• Create a site were the scientific community can

comment on newly developed genetic tests

• Establish uniform guidelines for sample and dog

verification

Achieved

• A web resource on available DNA tests for canine

hereditary diseases have been established by WSAVA

http://research.vet.upenn.edu/Default.aspx?TabId=7620

Validation and utilization of genetic tests in dog breeding

Interventions for anatomical soundness and avoidance of extreme phenotypes Proposal from workshop

The Cynological organizations are urged to review their

• rules and regulations
• breed standards
• education of breeders
• education and training of show judges

in matters related to exhibition and evaluations of individuals to be selected for breeding

Achieved

• The Scandinavian kennel clubs have established a

working group to coordinate Breed Specific Instructions (BSI) as a basis for further work within FCI and eventually also KC and AKC

Interventions for anatomical soundness and avoidance of extreme phenotypes

Development of breed-specific breeding programmes on national and international levels

Proposal from workshop

• National breed clubs are encouraged to create breed-

specific breeding programs taking into account the health of individuals as well as size and structure of existing populations

• The international and national cynological
• rganizations are asked to assist in the creation of

breed-specific programs on an international level

• Development of education tools for breeders, judges,

veterinarians etc.

Achieved

Ongoing discussions between SLU in Sweden, AgroParisTech in France and AHT in UK about possibilities for a joint PhD project on international genetic evaluations for improved health in dogs

Development of breed-specific breeding programmes on national and international levels

Selection for behavioural traits Proposal from workshop

• The cynological organizations are suggested to take

an initiative and support the creation of a working group to establish guidelines for terminology and evaluation of mental characteristics in dogs

Achieved

• Researcher at the Swedish University of

Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has taken on the role and the initial work is funded by SLU

Selection for behavioural traits

Formation of national and international platforms for collaborative efforts Proposal from workshop An international platform for collaboration should be assembled This group should

• represent the common ground and shared goals of

all key stakeholders

• support and link the working groups from the Dog

Health Workshop together

• define the next steps necessary to establish an

international platform for collaboration

Achieved

• Further discussions about international

collaboration and creation of a platform have been held within FCI

Formation of national and international platforms for collaborative efforts

Further collaborations

• Each issue called for further collaborations

internationally as well as nationally

• Each issue called for further collaborations between

the cynological organisations, geneticists and veterinarians as well as with representatives for governmental bodies and welfare organisations

• Further work on each of the issues is proposed to be

lead by one stakeholder but also to involve the

• thers

Proposed leader of initial work The Cynological organisations are suggested to have the prime responsibility for

• Prerequisites and procedures for recognition of

breeds and varieties

• Interventions for anatomical soundness and

avoidance of extreme phenotypes

• Development of breed-specific breeding programmes
• n national and international levels
• Formation of national and international platforms for

collaborative efforts

Proposed leader of initial work The Veterinary profession is suggested to have the prime responsibility for

• Harmonisation of screening procedures and

certifications

Proposed leader of initial work Geneticists are suggested to have the prime responsibility for

• Validation and utilization of genetic tests in dog

breeding

Proposed leader of initial work The Swedish Kennel Club was asked at the workshop to host/take the prime responsibility for

• The creation of a working group to establish

guidelines for terminology and evaluation of Behavior characteristics in dogs

Summing up

At the summing up session several points worth to carry on further were indicated, for example:

• The need for a web-based platform for exchange of

information between stakeholders on an international basis was emphasized The proposed web-based platform for collaboration is closely related to The FCI Dog Health, Well-Being and Welfare Initiative that was described by Dr Brenda Bonnett in her introductory talk

Summing up

• The need for a working group and a clearing house

to carry on the work was indicated for all the issues dealt with at the workshop A multidisciplinary and international body to govern and handle this was proposed The kennel clubs were indicated as initiators of such a process but collaboration with additional stakeholders is essential for its success

Suggested coordinated efforts

• The FCI Dog Health,

Well-Being and Welfare Initiative

• Follow ups of The

1st International workshop on Genetic Health in purebred Dogs

Next Dog Health Workshop

The 2nd International Workshop on Enhancement of Genetic Health in Pedigree Dogs

will be arranged in Dortmund, February 14-15 2015, by the German Kennel Club