The Client
The Dachshund Breed Council (DBC) is a community group that works with
breed clubs and breeders to improve dogs’ health and welfare.
The Client's Problem
Some Miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds suffer from a form of epilepsy called Lafora Disease. Two DNA tests are available, but are not yet used by all breeders. The DBC wanted a tool to help predict the probability
of breeding puppies with Lafora Disease.
The Solution
- Review the DNA test data and 12 month litter registration statistics
- Develop Probability Trees for different possible breeding combinations
- Produce an Excel spreadsheet to predict the probability of breeding Lafora-affected puppies which can be updated as required
The Benefits
- DBC has a tool which can be used to help raise awareness of the need for Lafora Screening
- Identifying the probability of breeding affected puppies will lead to more informed decisions being made by breeders
- The tool can be used to investigate the potential impacts of different breeding strategies, such as removing affected dogs from the gene pool
- The tool is robust, simple to use and draws on readily available DNA test and litter registration data
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