Gene for ARVC found

[bruinsBoxers]

While these new tests will not guarantee if a dog will show signs of the disease if at risk , they will tell you which dogs are clear and can not pass along the mutated gene .That in itself is a big thing. A clear dog can not pass along a gene it does not have , we can make better breeding decisions by using these test to help not double up on the mutated genes .

I agree 100% that environment plays a part in some health issues . But when a disease is seen only in certain breeds while never in others I would have to think that genetics play a bigger role in that particular disease . If all dogs in a certain area come down with the same condition , or all dogs being fed the same food have the same condition then I would say there is more of an environmental issue .

These tests are able to be done on puppies , before they have their bodies pumped full of vaccines and toxins that are around in everyday life .

While 80% may have the gene it will depend on what % are in the at risk group . A carrier can be bred to a carrier and produce clears , carriers and at risk dogs . While 2 at risk dogs will produce all at risk dogs . As of right now there is nothing saying to eliminate all dogs who are either carriers or at risk . That would wipe out the gene pool and that will open up the breed to new problems . What is being advised is to try and breed clears and carrier to produce more clears . All the researchers are being realistic by saying this will take years even a decade before the disease is eliminated or a significant reduction in at risk dogs is seen .

But this disease will never get better if all breeders do not test . It is better to do all we can and breed with all the information we can to help eliminate the worst affected dogs from the breeding population .