TarTan Gordon Setter Club, Inc. has taken a leadership role by stepping up to sponsor health research for the Gordon Setter.
AKC Canine Health Foundation Grant
Research, Progress, and Promise
Cerebellar Cortical Abiotrophy (CCA): The first Canine Health Foundation funded research effort by TarTan was as a primary sponsor to AKC/CHF Grant #407. TarTan, along with the Old English Sheepdog Club of America, The Scottish Terrier Club of America, and the American Staffordshire Club of America, supported AKC/CHF Grant #407 The Genetics of Canine Cerebellar Degeneration; Dr. Natasha Olby, North Carolina State University. TTGSC donated $2,500 towards this effort. As reported before: The Gordon Setter was the breed with the least number of DNA samples, having only one family of CCA affected dogs. Based on this research grant, the best hope for identifying the defective gene in the Gordon Setter was to have a successful discovery in the AmStaff or Old English Sheepdog breeds. Dr. Olby noted that it is more important to have complete samples from an affected dog and its family than to have incomplete collections of samples from multiple families. While the Gordon Setter DNA samples from the two related affected dogs and their family was fairly complete, it was not statistically sufficient for genetic screening in the breed. Unfortunately, if the research in the other breeds is not fruitful, more CCA affected Gordon Setters will have to be identified, and blood samples collected from their families for Gordon Setter specific genome screening.
Update CCA: AKC/CHF Grant #407, which was a 2 year grant for Dr. Olby has been closed. The findings are promising for the breeds involved. Dr. Olby has recently been approved for two separate AKC-Canine Health Foundation grants to use the newly available canine genome screening chips (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism – SNP) to search for the defective autosomal recessive gene causing cerebellar abiotrophy in Old English Sheepdogs and Scottish Terriers. If, with this promising new technology, a defective gene is found in either or both breeds, then it can be determined if the same gene(s) cause the disease in the Gordon Setter, and a genetic test for carriers can be developed. Information has recently been brought to the forefront of more Gordon Setters affected with CCA. Dr. Olby has been in contact with these veterinarians and hopes to acquire more GS DNA samples. This is a promising development which we trust will result in more DNA samples of affected GS becoming available for our breed specific research.
AKC/Canine Health Foundation Grant #1006-A: “A DNA Marker for an Autosomal Recessive, Lethal, Neurological Disease of Gordon Setter Puppies”
Researcher: Dennis O'Brien, DVM, PhD, University of Missouri (Columbia).
Sponsors: This AKC/CHF Grant #1006-A is proudly co-sponsored by The TarTan Gordon Setter Club and the GSCA.
Abstract: “A distinct, early onset, fatal, neurological disease of Gordon Setter puppies, referred to as DUNGd, has been recognized by many breeders and veterinarians. Affected pups suffer progressive weakness, mental deterioration, and seizures requiring euthanasia by 5-6 weeks of age. The exact incidence of the disease is unknown, but it appears to be inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. We have recognized some characteristic changes in the metabolic assay of the urine in three puppies with this condition which suggest an inborn error of metabolism as the cause of the disease. The changes are most consistent with a mutation in one of two candidate genes. The main goal of this study is to determine if a mutation in one of these genes is responsible for this disease. If this is discovered we can develop an assay to detect the mutant gene. This can be used as a screening test to identify carriers and the gene could be decreased/eliminated from the breed.”
AKC/CHF Research Petitions: During the month of February 2007, TarTan Gordon Setter Club Health & Genetics Committee solicited the Canine Health Foundation (CHF) to petition researchers to investigate Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and Juvenile Renal Disease (JRD) in the Gordon Setter. To date, we have not had any researchers take up these challenges. We continue our search for qualified researchers into PRA, and JRD. There has been dialogue with potential researchers interested in both of these disorders/diseases.
It is through the generosity of TarTan members and friends that DNA samples and money have been donated, thus enabling this breed-specific research.
TarTanGSC has always taken a proactive position regarding the health issues affecting our beloved breed. We advocate participation in open health registries, encourage discussion of disorders/diseases, and cooperation with health professionals by working with them to eradicate the medical problems that plague our dogs.
We salute you and thank you for your efforts on behalf of our black & tans. We refer our membership to the AKC Canine Health Foundation website www.akcchf.org for more information on Grants.
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