Chondrodysplasia Certification Committee
Committee Chair
Dan Andreson
5586 Hwy 36N
Bellville, TX 77418
Questions or Corrections should be sent to
the
Chondrodysplasia Certification Committee Chair
Chondrodysplasia
Chondrodysplasia is a genetic disorder in the Alaskan Malamute which
manifests itself in puppies born with crippling deformities, eventually evident
in the abnormal shape and length of their limbs. Chondrodysplasia is present in
adult carriers as an auto-somal or simple recessive gene. Therefore, both sire
and dam must carry this gene in order to produce an affected (chondrodysplastic)
puppy.
As Malamute owners and prospective owners, we have an opportunity to control
the proliferation of chondrodysplasia in the Alaskan Malamute, and with such
control, there is hope of it's total elimination in our breed.
History and Explanation
For a number of years, Alaskan Malamute breeders in both the United States
and Canada were aware of occasional litters that contained deformed or "dwarf
puppies", produced by parents who showed no physical evidence of
the condition. It was not until the early 1970's that these puppies were
conclusively proven to be the manifestation of a genetic disorder. At first,
these affected dogs were known as "dwarves" because of their diminutive size.
This term gave rise to considerable confusion. Veterinarians associated it with
the dwarfism found in Hereford cattle, while owners associated it with any small
Malamute. Since neither is correct, another name, chondrodysplasia
(meaning "faulty cartilage"), was coined and brought into usage.
Chondrodysplasia in the Malamute was originally diagnosed as a form of
rickets. Upon closer examination at various veterinary schools, it was
determined that this diagnosis was incorrect. While it isn't known exactly what
this crippling problem is, it has definitely been proven to be genetic, or
inherited. A more technical description of this gene is "auto-somal," or "simple
recessive." This simply means that the sire and dam must both carry this
gene in order to produce an affected chondrodysplastic puppy.
In very young puppies, under six weeks of age, the deformity is often very
difficult, if not impossible, to detect without x-rays, even to the practiced
eye. But as the puppies grow older, the deformity becomes more evident in the
shape and length of the front legs. However, not all chondrodysplastics
are severely affected. In some adults, the front legs may appear "almost"
normal.
It is not the chondrodysplastics themselves that are the major
problem. The greatest concern is the use in breeding of the completely normal
appearing dogs that possess or "carry" this gene. (A good parallel of this among
humans is two brown-eyes parents producing a blue-eyed baby. In spite of their
brown eyes, the parents both "carry" the gene for the blue eye.) While the
breeding of two carriers can produce a chondrodysplastic, a litter from a
breeding between a carrier and a "non carrier" (or clear) will contain only
normal appearing dogs. Nevertheless, an undetermined number of puppies will
themselves be carriers, having inherited the gene from their carrier parent. The
continued whelping of such litters increase the number of carriers "at large" in
the total Malamute population.
Chondrodysplasia Certification Registry
(CHD CERTIFIED Malamutes)
As of January 1, 1993, CHD Certification
will be available to dogs with one certified ancestor between the applicant dog
and each uncertified ancestor visible within its five generation pedigree. If
proof can be offered that an uncertified ancestor is a full sibling to a
certified dog, the applicant's pedigree will be evaluated via the C.C.C. five
generation pedigree.
It should be noted that certification can be revoked when information is
verified that a dog was mis-classified through subsequent breedings and/or test
breedings.
Certification is done by checking a five generation pedigree of the dog. If
this examination reveals the dog's ancestors are certified (or certifiable) a
certificate is issued to that dog bearing an AMCA number (AMCA-XXXX). Each dog
is assigned an individual number.
Sometimes the pedigree reveals the dog to be non-certifiable with regards to
Chondrodysplasia. In such cases, the AMCA recommends these dogs not be bred. The
owner may feel the dog to be a great asset to a breeding program, or the dog may
already have offspring who are themselves now affected by the un-certifiable
status of the parent. In such circumstances, the owner may choose to apply for a
further screening process known as "Test Breeding".
Test Breeding
The committee will assist the owner in this choice. At present, test breeding
a suspect Malamute to a Chondrodysplastic, or to a known carrier, is the only
means to be reasonably certain the dog is not a carrier of the gene. Should the
owner decide to enter the suspect dog into a test breeding program, a contract
specifying certain criteria is entered into with the AMCA Chondrodysplasia
Certification Committee. The Committee Chairman and Area Representatives are
available for consultation regarding the procedures for test breeding.
Once thought to occur only in Malamute, Chondrodysplasia has now been
detected in other breeds and the AMCA program has become a model for other breed
clubs. Your efforts are needed if it is to continue to fulfill its vital
leadership role. We hope you will join us in the fight to control this genetic
disorder.
It is essential for the prospective
malamute purchaser of potential breeding stock to realize the importance of
these certificates. By purchasing from AMCA Certified stock, the buyer not
only is helping the breed cull out Chondrodysplasia, but is also relieving
himself of the responsibility of test breeding.
For more information or assistance,
contact your CCC Contact.
Contact:
Dan Anderson
5586 Hwy 36N
Bellville, TX 77418
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