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Breed Value Procedure for HD
by Fred Lanting
Copyright June, 1998 -
From the July, 1998 SV HD News:
(Primarily for Veterinarians) translated by Fred Lanting
The delegates at this year's SV National Meeting in May unanimously decided on the introduction of the "Breed Value Assessment" for the fight against HD.
Wide implementation of the method of Breed Value Assessment has been effective in the commercial animal breeds (food & fiber). This includes, in an electronic record, all available data of the ancestors and any available progeny as well as of the personal phenotype of the animal concerned, and can work authentically and exceedingly effectively in the purebred dog.
In cooperation with the Institute for Breeding Animals and Animal Genetics at the University of Gießen, the SV developed a breeding program that becomes obligatory as of 1 July, 1999. Before that, from September 1998, the process was made accessible to the members on a voluntary basis.
Each breeder currently and henceforth knows about the inheritance risk of his bitch through this HD breed value. The breed value (Zuchtwert or ZW) numbers of all stud dogs are likewise disclosed. From both of these comes a greater knowledge of the HD risk for the progeny. Considerable breeding progress in the area of decline of HD incidence can be had by implementing this measure.
Further information on the HD breed value process is available from the SV's Augsburg headquarters.
The HD Program of the SV:
The success speaks for itself! The SV has had a protocol for HD control since 1966, which was recognized at an international technical convention in l974 as "the best in the world". Nothing has changed about it until today:
To date, over 260,000 German Shepherd Dogs have been x-rayed in the HD scheme, and about 240,000 dogs received that coveted "a" stamp. Moreover, approx. 13,000 new "a" stamps are awarded annually. The percentage of dogs with medium and severe HD was drastically reduced by initially 27%, until today there are only around 6%!
Decisively involved with the success of the battle are the SV-certified HD radiologists and HD veterinarians! Nearly 3,000 veterinarians have become authorized by the SV as acknowledged HD veterinarians.
Without your cooperation and your joint effort this result would be hardly possible therefore we would like to take this opportunity to express to you our thanks!
Requirements & Preliminary Check List for the HD Procedure:
Not every owner of a GSD is allowed to participate in the SV's HD program. To be able to quickly ascertain whether the admission requirements are fulfilled, we have developed the following check list for you:
- Minimum age: Is it 12 Months? Verify the whelping date on the Ahnentafel (pedigree/registration certificate)!
- Is the document an acknowledged SV Ahnentafel? For foreign dogs, the exhibitor must be a member of an FCI club!
- Is the tattoo number correct? Tattoo number is in the right ear - compare it with the number indicated in the Ahnentafel!
- Is it a second (repeat) radiograph? The Ahnentafel must already carry
- the stamp of a HD radiology specialist or an SV-authorized HD veterinarian, the stamp having been recorded in the SV Headquarters!
In the case of any objection about a "medium HD" entry, a record is to be made available only by the central HD evaluation office in Hannover!
HD diagnostic report: Instructions for the Administration:
Over l5,000 HD findings are processed annually in the SV's HD office at headquarters. For the most efficient and quickest possible processing, the HD report was developed by the SV.
Only certified "HD veterinarians" can supply the diagnosis to the SV headquarters. Other diagnostic reports are not acknowledged by the SV!
Please note the following instructions when filling out:
- Fill out the diagnosis form clearly and legibly (done best with typewriter!).
- Pressure should be strong enough so that the 5th carbon copy will be still readable!
- Please identify in the heading, the complete name of the dog (example: Visum vom Arminius).
- Always indicate the owner's full name and address (the person who brings in the dog is not always necessarily the owner!).
- The owner must also sign the diagnostic form (on the left above, under the TA - stamp)! It must agree with the information on the x-ray film regarding ownership acknowledgement from the SV.
- Your stamp should be individually on each of the carbon copies!
- The date of the radiograph is essential!
- The last (pink) page of the report is kept for your records - please send all other copies along with the film to the SV!
One more point for your own interest: You are not obligated to give the owner any diagnosis or judgment! Only the finding of the central HD office in Hanover is official.
For the sake of the quickest possible processing, we will return the yellow copy (reverse side to the certified HD veterinarian); if the finding from Hanover deviates from yours, you have it for understanding!
The HD radiograph: What is to be considered?
Delays in processing lead to the owner's annoyance and uncertainty. Help us to guarantee the quickest possible handling. The owners will thank you and us for this!
We have listed therefore the two most important points about the radiograph for you:
Following statements must be on the film at time of exposure:
- Tattoo number (2 letters/4 numerals)
- Complete name (example: Visum vom Arminius). Labeling with stickers or markings after developing the film is not accepted as proof of identification! Any received without proper identification are returned.
Asymmetrical pictures (poor positioning) are unfortunately a frequent quality problem. Avoid sending such films if possible. You will quickly be told to supply the specified information!
After the Radiograph
You should be aware that those reports with affixed revenue stamps are treated preferentially by the evaluation office in Hanover. HD revenue stamps in the value of DM 50.00 can be supplied to you at any time from the SV headquarters; so you can always have opaque labels available for your customers!
If the film is prepared properly
- please check whether the HD - exam stamps with the necessary information from the Ahnentafel was placed on the film
- send the radiograph along with the report (pages 1 to 4) immediately to the SV headquarters!
A last request: Answer also any confirmation requests and inquiries of the HD Records & Evaluations office in Hanover immediately or as soon as possible, and take note of the necessary fees of that office!
Early X-ray
We do not want to forbid for any conceivable reason the early radiography of a GSD under 12 months age; however, the identity of the dog must also be ensured via use of the Ahnentafel in such cases. Therefore, a GSD should not be admitted to the early X-ray, without the tattoo number in the ear of the dog having been conscientiously examined and compared with the registered number in the Ahnentafel.
The early result is not of interest to the SV, however; therefore no such preliminary HD-exam stamp will be placed on the pedigree. Also no SV diagnostic report may be used. Such x-rays are not received or accepted by the SV.
Re-tattoos
If the dog can not be identified:
Sometimes it occurs, that a dog can not absolutely be identified using the tattoo number in the right ear. It only remains then for the re-tattoo by the veterinarian. For what is to be considered, see our check list:
- The pedigree must exist naturally! (not marked over an old one)
- The responsible breed warden or tattooer must be at the re-tattoo. He must confirm the identity of the dog!
- Re-tattoos with the tattoo instrument of the tattooers utilize the same tattoo designation ("number") used at the first tattooing [or]: with your tattoo clamps and the tattoo mark, in which the current number must be inserted beside the design (mark) assigned to you.
- Re-tattoos only in the left ear!
- Local anesthesia or tranquilizer (short-action) for dogs that are older than 12 weeks!
Send to the SV HQ, along with the Ahnentafel,
confirmation of:
- Who has presented the dog ?
- Who has confirmed the identity (see AT)
- Reason for the repeat tattooing?
- With which letter/number was dog tattooed?
- Date of the re-tattooing?
- Your stamp and your signature!
Dr. Reiner Beuing
University of Gießen
Fred Lanting is an internationally respected show judge, approved by many registries as an all-breed judge, has judged numerous countries’ Sieger Shows and Landesgruppen events, and has many years experience with SV. He presents seminars and consults worldwide on such topics as Gait-&-Structure, HD and Other Orthopedic Disorders, Anatomy, Training Techniques, and The GSD. He conducts annual non-profit sightseeing tours of Europe, centered on the Sieger Show (biggest breed show in the world) and BSP.
All Things Canine -- consulting division, Willow Wood Services Phone: 256-498-3319 Fax: 256-498-3311 E-mail mr.gsd@netscape.com
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