Letter in the Dog Press concering Blindness in Gordons

[Carol Gill]

It has come to light that there maybe a problem with our Gordons concerning blindness at 7ys and over the letter was put in the paper by Bonnie Scougal(Shannas) and Yvonne Horrocks (Carek) i am just wondering what happens now? are the 3 Gordon Setter Clubs going to take action and let members know what we are to do? i aim to get my Gordons DNA tested but am unsure where i send the info, i think a certain number of dogs carrying these specific dogs in there pedigree need to be tested before the ball can start rolling, anyone got any further info?

[Marcella]

I haven't heard about this before Carol, but if so it would be great to read more about it
and what to do next

[yvonne]

i have not heard it either .
But if so , like Marcella said it would be great to read more about it , i think it is a good thing to DNA tested the dogs who are use for breeding

[Rachel]

Link to the information here http://www.dogworld.co.uk/Breeds/BreedNotes/8-GSR

We await what next I guess ? Is it only dogs linked to the pedigrees or will all dogs need testing - or is it a case of as many as can be?

[Leen De Leebeeck-Van Genechten]

can't find the info about the blindness on the link
is it me?

would like to know more about which dogs, which lines etc;

[Marcella]

I can't find it either .. or it has to be in one of the other breed notes on Dogworld.
But like Leen I would also like to know more about which dogs etcetera.

[Leen De Leebeeck-Van Genechten]

Found it!
copied it underneath
“Last weekend we received a very disturbing report which we feel should be made public as soon as possible rather than waiting for newsletters to be sent out or worse – the rumour mill to distort the information. If proven, this could have world-wide repercussions within the Gordon Setter breed.
“Wendy Smith (Kewstoke) has undertaken a lot of work investigating this and we unreservedly thank her for bringing the matter to our attention.
“It appears to indicate that two male Gordons bred by us – Shannas Family-Fortune and his son Carek Dark Command – carried an inherited eye disease. Family-Fortune was by Sh Ch Wickenberry Philosopher at Liric ex Sh Ch S Midnight Shadow. Dark Command was ex C Blue Belle.
“In 1998 and ’99, they were mated to two of Wendy’s bitches, Kewstoke Caernie and Kewstoke Kiss Me Kate, who were both by Northinch Briar of Keepersgate ex Sh Ch Kewstoke Bryony Belle.
“The two bitches must also have carried the gene as within each litter, there were Gordons who lost their sight when around ten years old.
“Obviously this gene must have been carried throughout the pedigrees of all four dogs for several generations and lots of affected or carrier dogs would have been bred from without their owners even suspecting there was a problem. Indeed, it could even have been assumed that any deterioration in sight was attributable to old age. Many males within these pedigrees were used extensively and a lot of bitches formed the foundations of today’s breeding lines – which is why almost any Gordon today could potentially have inherited or be carrying this gene. Unfortunately, perhaps because of the late age of onset, there appears to be very little information or records of this.
“We would ask breeders to unite and work together to gather as much information about the incidence of this in the breed today rather than simply having witch hunts and trying to apportion blame. It is only by everyone being open and honest about this that things can be moved forward.
“Wendy has submitted a copy of her report to the breed clubs and we have sent it to Jeff Sampson, KC genetic consultant, who has been particularly helpful and supportive.
“From initial enquiries, this does not seem to be the same mutation that causes PRA in other gundog breeds, although the mode of inheritance is likely to be the same. This means that further investigation must be undertaken by taking blood samples from affected dogs to try to eventually establish a DNA test.
“If you have a Gordon who is around ten years old and is blind arrange a BVA/KC ophthalmologist to undertake an eye test as soon as possible. A blood sample should also be taken. This applies to all lines so do not be complacent.
“It will by no means be easy or straightforward. Remember that the age of onset is around ten years and it does not seem to be possible to detect by eye testing until affected dogs begin to lose their sight at over eight years of age. Even an eye test at this age will not prove that a dog does not carry the gene.”

[Marcella]

Well they're right about the fact that this does affect many many people.. the dogs mentioned above are in most british pedigrees. Just take a look at the breeding history of Nortinch Briar of Keepersgate at
http://worldpedigrees.com.

But I do imagine that most people who might have had a GS at the age of ten loosing their
sight have all thought it was an age thing. So how many people already had this disease without even knowing it.

I'm really interested how this will go on and what plans will be made by the breed clubs. Hopefully everyone is willing to take action and work together to found out how it is inherited and how to establish a DNA test

[Carol Gill]

well seems they are going to do something..it is being organised now thank god

[Ulrike Agne-Draudsin]

Hallo,

I have the report about inherited PRA in Gordon from my friend Wendy Smith. If you are interested I can send it to you directly.

Ulrike

[Leen De Leebeeck-Van Genechten]

Yes, I would ove to have it.
Can you send it o [e-mail]?

Thanks

[Ulrike Agne-Draudsin]

Hi Lee,

I have tried to send it to you but I had a failure notice.

Ulrike

Maybe somebody of you that I already have sent the report to, can put into the forum. I don't know how that works

[Silvia]

Yes pls Uli can you copy it in here ? if not would it be poss to send it to
my email ? [e-mail]
Thank you in advance