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Canine DNA testing is now availablein Australia and appears set to bemandatory for all pure bred dogs

used as frequent studs and donor sires forartificial insemination from January 2006.

Endorsed by the Australian NationalKennel Council (ANKC) in May 2004, theAustralian Canine Pedigree AssuranceProgram is being conducted by GeneticTechnologies Limited (GTG) at itsMelbourne laboratory.

GTG, (through its molecular geneticsdivision), has been performing commercialgenotyping since the late 1980’s and all thecanine DNA results are ANKC certifiedwith dog owners being issued with acertificate to establish their animal’spaternity and pedigree.

The innovative program allowsauthorised collection officers includingveterinarians, to gather non-invasive buccalswab samples for DNA analysis. TheANKC insists all dogs must bemicrochipped or tattooed prior to havingthe sample taken to ensure that the dogbeing tested is positively identified andcorrect.

Veterinarians need to obtain collectionkits from GTG before collection and cancharge a nominal fee for providing theservice. While many breeders haveexpressed their desire to test throughveterinarians, GTG also plans to trainmembers for each of the major breedassociations to collect at state and nationalbreeding shows.

“If someone does question a sibling andits parentage, it will be on a DNA databasefor them to verify,“ says George Sofronidis,GTG’s Manager of Animal Diagnostics.

“Families buying pure bred puppies willhave peace of mind when they take thenewest family member home with a DNAcertificate, attesting that it is pure bred andfree from disease.”

In Australia the Greyhound RacingAssociation and pure breed horseassociations already have mandatory DNAtyping programs for parentage testing andby January 2008 all stud sires will need tobe DNA profiled.

If the owner/breeder desires, the dog canalso be checked to see whether it has, orcarries, an inherited disease. Mr Sofronidissays the testing provides an effectivemethod of disease prevention without theneed to cull any breeding stock.

GTG are working in close associationwith ophthalmologist Dr Robin Stanleywho has been taking samples from PRA(Progressive Retinal Atrophy) affected dogswith owner consent and Professor Bruce

Parry at Werribee Veterinary Clinic who’sassisted the company to gather samples forCanine von Willebrand in Dobermans andScottish Terriers.

“So far all forms of von Willebranddisease type 1-3 have been evaluated in ouroffering, PRA and Clad in Irish Setters andwe’re still developing the linkage based testson PRA and VRCD in cocker spaniels,”said Mr Sofronidis.

“What we’re hoping is that a breed willcome to us with a disease they see as beinga big issue and then we’ll discuss this withvets and the ANKC and animal healthcommittees and if people are in agreeancewe will develop tests for the disease.”

“We’re trying to ensure that everythingwe offer is relevant to Australian pedigreesand that’s why we want to develop our owndatabase for all these diseases.”

There are currently genetic tests forapproximately 50 canine hereditary diseasesacross various breeds, but to date fewAustralian dogs have been tested due tolargely inconvenient and expensive overseastesting.

The new Australian Canine PedigreeAssurance Program test costs comparefavourably with its American Canine DNAtesting equivalent. Clients can expect to payup to $65 for a DNA profile or parentageand from $154-$297 for hereditary diseasetesting depending on the test to beperformed.

DNA Testing goes to the DogsBy Mark Thornley