Lee Pieterse, a dedicated Australian breeder of Griffon Bruxellois -- another breed which seems to have a higher incidence of CM/SM -- gave me permission to share these two posts she made recently to one of the discussion lists. She was immediately very proactive when it began to appear that griffons also had a degree of SM showing up on scans, and has been pivotal in raising awareness internationally amongst griffon breeders and in supporting research projects.
Some may recall that griffons are part of the Canadian genome work as the control group clear of both CM and SM, because not enough cavaliers clear of both could be found.
Lee is very excited about these successes and her experience with her breed is in line with what the Dutch cavalier breeders also have been seeing too over several generations. 'A' dogs produce more 'A' dogs and add more 'A's to the overall breeding pool. This offers much hope for both breeds!
Here are her two posts. Incidentally, neurologist Dr Child is the same neurologist who did the presentation about the 60 club breeder cavaliers in Australia, where 50% had SM on scans.
Some may recall that griffons are part of the Canadian genome work as the control group clear of both CM and SM, because not enough cavaliers clear of both could be found.
Lee is very excited about these successes and her experience with her breed is in line with what the Dutch cavalier breeders also have been seeing too over several generations. 'A' dogs produce more 'A' dogs and add more 'A's to the overall breeding pool. This offers much hope for both breeds!
Here are her two posts. Incidentally, neurologist Dr Child is the same neurologist who did the presentation about the 60 club breeder cavaliers in Australia, where 50% had SM on scans.
Just recently we had 2 more griffons MRI'd, and have received their gradings back from Dr Georgina Child (specialist neurologist in Australia) both are A's.
They are mother & son.
Going backwards in the pedigree,
They are: BIS Ch Statuesque Pumpkinpickle - "A" now 2.5 yrs
his mother BIS Ch Statuesque Pumpkin Pie "A"
her mother Ch Statuesque Muscadelle "A"
her mother Statuesque Lizabeth "A" (had D graded mother)
her father BIS Ch Beagriff Boeing "A"
his mother Ch Beagriff Stargazer "A"
This gives us great faith in MRI ing -and Dr Rusbridge's methods.
And if you saw the continual improvement in the MRI's themselves, it would make your heart warm.
It is a relief to know we are pretty unlikely to produce an affected and symptomatic dog by knowing what we are putting together.
Yes, it is possible we may produce a dog with SM - but it's not 'likely' -
No there are no guarantees, but wow, I'm happy.
Again, a large thank you to Clare & Penny, they have supported and encouraged me at EVERY turn.
Lee Pieterse
www.statuesquedogs.com
Thank you everyone for writing in - it's a long road, but it is proving very worthwhile.
To answer you David,
Yes, there is absolute direct improvement on each MRI, each A graded dog that was bred to a better one.
The D graded bitch in there (the worst MRI anyone seems to have seen) really downgraded the quality of the MRI's for that next generation - 2 were MRI'd from that litter.
1 was a D (not bred on with)
the other was an A - (only just - she has a tiny syrinx)
but then back to good A grades and each generation is
an improvement from here with no syrinxes, AND less chiari like malformation
Regarding the inbreeding:
http://www.griffonplaza.com/griffon-health/
you can see all these dogs on this site,
and the site has the ability to work out any co efficients etc.
Regarding their siblings etc - Griffons often only have small litters.
Pumpkinpickle has one brother only - Ch S Pumpernickel he will be MRI'd as soon as I save my pennies again!
Pumpkie Pie was a singleton.
Muscadelle had 3 littermates, all were A graded ( of varying quality, all with significant problems))
Lizabeth had a D graded brother and mother (the one with the truly horrible MRI)
regards,
Lee Pieterse