HEALTH & GENETICS

Before breeding, we take into consideration the health and well-being of our dogs to ensure they are at their best state before going through breeding, pregnancy, and motherhood.  All of our dogs are up to date on shots and visit the vet routinely.  

As we grow in the upcoming years, we are very particular about the dogs we add to our program because we aim to produce the best of the best.  Because of this, we do lots of research to find reputable breeders that are producing quality dogs in all areas, from genetic testing to the way they are raised before they come home to us, etc.

We intentionally breed our dogs to ensure we are passing on the best temperaments, structure/overall look and DNA from parent to puppy.  We genetically test all of our parent dogs for the most common diseases found in the corgi breed, they are; Degenerative Myelopathy(DM), Exercise Induced Collapse(EIC), Von Willebrand's Disease Type 1(VWD1) and Progressive Retinal Atrophy Rod-Cone Dysplasia 3(PRA-RCD3).  We also test our dogs for coat type.  All of our dogs are AKC registered and tested and can be proven upon request. 

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a progressive disease of the spinal cord in older dogs. The disease has an insidious onset typically between 8 and 14 years of age. It begins with a loss of coordination (ataxia) in the hind limbs. The affected dog will wobble when walking, knuckle over or drag the feet. This can first occur in one hind limb and then affect the other. As the disease progresses, the limbs become weak and the dog begins to buckle and has difficulty standing. The weakness gets progressively worse until the dog is unable to walk. The clinical course can range from 6 months to 1 year before dogs become paraplegic. If signs progress for a longer period of time, loss of urinary and fecal continence may occur and eventually weakness will develop

in the front limbs. Another key feature of DM is that it is not a painful disease.  Although any dog can be tested for DM, it is possible that the genetic background that predominates in some breeds prevents the development of symptoms even in dogs testing affected (at risk). 

CLEAR/NORMAL: These dogs have two normal copies of DNA. Among the hundreds of dogs studied to date at the University of Missouri, only two dogs with test results of ‘CLEAR/NORMAL’ have been confirmed to have DM.

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CARRIER/NOT AFFECTED: These dogs have one copy of the mutation and one normal copy of DNA. Carriers are far less likely to develop DM however; a few cases to date of DM have been confirmed in a small number of carrier dogs.

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AT RISK/AFFECTED: These dogs have two copies of the mutation and will likely develop DM during their lifetime.  Although many dogs tested to date typed as ‘AT RISK/AFFECTED’ have been clinically confirmed DM, recent evidence suggest that there are other causes of DM in some breeds.  In addition, not all dogs testing as ‘AT RISK/AFFECTED’ have shown clinical signs of DM. Research is ongoing to estimate what percentage of dogs testing as ‘AT RISK/AFFECTED’ will develop DM within their lifespan. At this point, the DM mutation can be interpreted as being ‘AT RISK’ of developing DM within the animal’s lifetime.  For dogs showing clinical signs with a presumptive diagnosis of DM, ‘AT RISK/AFFECTED test results can be used as an additional tool to aid in the diagnosis of DM.

Von Willebrand disease (vWD) is a genetic disorder that prevents normal blood clotting and can cause extended bleeding following injury. The disorder results from a deficiency or lack of sufficient von Willebrand factor (vWf) which functions as a binding protein during blood clotting. Three types of vWD have been identified in dogs to date and are known as vWD type 1, 2 and 3. Within these three types there are five different genetic mutations that are currently known that lead to canine vWD.

Von Willebrand’s disease type 1 (VWD1) results in reduction in normal levels of vWf to approximately 5-10% of normal. Since some vWf is produced in dogs homozygous for the VWD1 mutation, this form of the disorder is considered to be less serious than type 2 and 3. The mutation (G>A substitution) has variable penetrance and is recessive requiring two copies of the mutation in affected dogs. Typical symptoms of the disease encompass excessive or abnormal bleeding following injury or the presence of blood in various bodily secretions (urine, feces, etc.).

CLEAR/NORMAL: These dogs have two copies of the normal gene and will neither develop von Willebrand’s Disease Type I disease nor pass this mutation to their offspring.

CARRIER/NOT AFFECTED: These dogs have one copy of the normal gene and one copy of the mutation associated with this disease. They will not develop von Willebrand’s Disease Type I disease but will, if bred, pass the mutation to 50% of its offspring, on average.

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AT RISK/AFFECTED: These dogs have two copies of the mutation associated with this disease and are susceptible to develop problems with blood clotting.

Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC) is a canine genetic disorder that leads to loss of muscle control following periods of extreme exercise.  Episodes generally occur after 5-25 minutes of excessive activity that can include actively running for extended periods of time.  Episode severity ranges between different dogs and often begins with a form of rocking followed by weakening of the hind limbs and eventual collapse.  Attacks are typically brief (less than 20 minutes) and dogs tend to recover.  In a limited number of cases, episodes can be fatal.  Affected dogs begin to show symptoms from a couple of months to 3 years of age and are more susceptible at an age when more intensive training begins.  It is important for owners of dogs affected with EIC to be familiar with activities that may trigger an episode.

A (CLEAR/NORMAL): These dogs have two copies of the normal gene and will neither develop Exercise Induced Collapse nor pass this mutation to their offspring.

B (CARRIER/NOT AFFECTED): These dogs have one copy of the normal gene and one copy of the mutation associated with this disease. They will not develop Exercise Induced Collapse but will, if bred, pass the mutation to 50% of its offspring, on average.

C (AT RISK/AFFECTED): These dogs have two copies of the mutation associated with this disease and are susceptible to collapse following periods of extreme exercise.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a category of different progressive conditions leading to retinal atrophy and potential blindness. Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Chinese Crested and Pomeranian breeds can be affected by a particular type of PRA known as PRA-RCD3. Disease symptoms can present as early as 1 year old or earlier and are typically observed during an eye exam. The rod cells of the eye which are responsible for vision in low-light (night time) show gradual deterioration and the dog rapidly exhibits “night blindness” which is typically seen as a gradual inability for the dog to go outside at night due to loss of night vision. At approximately 2-3 years of age, the dog’s cone cells begin to degenerate. The disease continues to progress leading to a loss of color vision and vision in bright light and eventually results in complete blindness.

A (CLEAR/NORMAL): These dogs have two copies of the normal gene and will neither develop PRA due to the PRA-RCD3 mutation nor pass this mutation to their offspring.

B (CARRIER/NOT AFFECTED): These dogs have one copy of the normal gene and one copy of the mutation associated with this disease. They will not develop PRA due to the PRA-RCD3 mutation but will, if bred, pass the mutation to 50% of its offspring, on average.

C (AT RISK/AFFECTED): These dogs have two copies 

of the mutation associated with this disease which results in night blindness followed by loss of color vision in bright light and eventual complete blindness.

The MLPH gene codes for a protein called melanophilin, which is responsible for transporting and fixing melanin-containing cells. A mutation in this gene leads to improper distribution of these cells, causing a dilute coat color. This mutation is recessive so two copies of the mutated gene (or “d” allele) are needed to produce the dilute coat color. This mutation affects both Eumelanin and Pheomelanin pigments, so black, brown and yellow dogs are all affected by the dilution with the effect being more pronounced in black dogs. The mutation responsible for the dilution phenotype is recessive so a dog can be a carrier of the dilution gene and still appear to have a normal coat color. A diluted yellow (ee) dog is often referred to as a champagne.

A (CLEAR/NORMAL): These dogs have two copies of the normal gene, will have an undiluted coat and will not pass the mutation to their offspring.

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B (CARRIER/NOT AFFECTED): These dogs have one copy of the normal gene and one copy of the mutation associated with dilute coat coloring. They will have an undiluted coat but will, if bred, pass the mutation to 50% of its offspring, on average.

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C (AT RISK/AFFECTED):These dogs have two copies of the MLPH mutation associated with a diluted coat color which results in blue, charcoal, grey, lilac or champagne coat dependent on other coat color loci.

The length of a dog’s coat can vary between breeds with some breeds typically showing short haired coats and other breeds showing long haired coats.  It has been determined that hair length variation is due to a mutation in the FGF5 gene that changes the hair follicle growth termination signal which impacts canine hair length.  The mutation is recessive which means a dog must have two copies of the mutation that will typically result in a long or fluffy coat.

A (CLEAR/NORMAL): These dogs have two copies of the normal gene and will neither develop long hair nor pass this mutation to their offspring.

B (CARRIER/NOT AFFECTED): These dogs have one copy of the normal gene and one copy of the mutation associated with this trait. They will not develop long hair and will, if bred, pass the mutation to 50% of its offspring, on average.

C (AT RISK/AFFECTED): These dogs have two copies of the mutation associated with long hair which results in a long-haired coat.