And how many, if any, that DO NOT test 'at risk' develope it due to some other unforeseen injury or hapenstance etc. That would be something else that I would want to know.

That and what contributes to these dogs testing 'at risk'? What are the common factors that contribute to these dogs testing that way. Is there something that can be changed or way of altering their DNA on a cellular level or something else that can turn this around in these dogs? I don't know....I am not a biology major or have any education in these areas at all. But it is something else that may be looked into for answers.

 Quote: Betty Waldron

It would probably scare the heck out of you guys if you knew how much time I spend mulling over things like this......ROFL My poor husband has a chronic condition of rolling eyes syndrom....

Is RES (Rolling Eye Syndrome) genetic? Because I think my husband has it too.

Now for the time spent mulling:
Is at risk for DM a disease or a condition? IMO "No" I would not expect you to do anything. Even if I had purchased the dog for breeding purposes, this would be a consideration but not a deal breaker.

Now if at age 2 the dog was having symptoms and diagnosed with presumptive DM that would be a different ball game.

I guess Betty, as a puppy purchaser, if a puppy developed a debilitating genetic disease, I would expect the breeder to work with me to resolve the situation.

Genetics are one component of disease but there is also the environment the pup would be raised in that you as a breeder can not control such as possible exposure to toxins or an unhealthy life style...diet, exercise etc. I can not think of one genetic disease that I would hold a breeder accountable for after a dog has hit maturity.

But then again this could all be avoided if you were only one of those breeders who have no genetic faults in their lines. ROFL, but that would require you know absolutely nothing about your breed or the dogs you produced. Too bad you're so smart!

I have been wondering about this test for a while too. I think that I would like to know as much as possible if I were purchasing a puppy. And, in fact, wonder why a breeder wasn't testing for a genetic problem if it was available. And, as buyers search for a kennel, they will become aware of the fact that this is a test some breeders are doing. While I understand that these tests are not "written in stone" at this time, another buyer might not. And, avoid a breeder that was not testing. Also, if they were purchasing for breeding purposes could be even more insistent on looking at kennels providing this kind of additional information to potential purchasers of puppies. If I were a breeder (never!!), I believe that I would do the DM test and explain to any potential buyers what is currently known about the accuracy and value of the test. Perhaps, you would not want to post the results on your web site, but rather say they are available on request and that way you would have a chance to inform and educate your potential buyers. And, have the results for your dogs to use in making breeding choices.

I think RES is something that all males are at risk for Sheila but for some reason it does not manifest until after the vows are exchanged. I believe I saw the first indication of it at our reception.

But I may be mistaken. The next morning I had a broken toe but only a vague memory of who stomped on it.

I think more and more buyers will demand that the dogs be tested and I can't really see a downside to that.

I know a few breeders who said that they will not test until more info is known and a couple of them surprised me. But one of the vets at my practice was very involved with the program that identified the marker and her and I have some really good discussions about it.

I like your suggestion Mary and I think I will do that. I xray spines when I do hip and elbows, and while I do that more for my knowledge every once is a blue moon someone will ask about it.

I bet much of the "desirable" phenotype is coupled to "trouble".
EG-Many Danes develop bone cancer. Well, the ability to grow from a 1 lb pup to a 100 lb yearling is something like cancer, that rate of long bone growth. The whole dog grows like a tumor, really.
If you could select for the dog who looks the part w/o baggage it will be terrific.
I would think selecting GSD w/o the low and feeble hind end would go a long way toward eliminating DM.