The 1st International Workshop on 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
It is time for actions rather than more attention Attention Awareness ACTION
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 6 th 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 of 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 of 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
Prerequisites and procedures for recognition of breeds and varieties, cont. • 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
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
Validation and utilization of genetic tests in dog breeding 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
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
Interventions for anatomical soundness and avoidance of extreme phenotypes 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
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 organizations are asked to assist in the creation of breed-specific programs on an international level • Development of education tools for breeders, judges, veterinarians etc.
Development of breed-specific breeding programmes on national and international levels 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
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
Selection for behavioural traits Achieved • Researcher at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has taken on the role and the initial work is funded by SLU
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
Formation of national and international platforms for collaborative efforts Achieved • Further discussions about international collaboration and creation of a platform have been held within FCI
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 others
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