I know there's much in Margaret's latest blog post about the recent presentations on CM/SM in cavaliers, and the incoming grading scheme, that is of interest to breeders because they are the ones scanning and breeding. But I think there's much there for all cavalier owners, as buyers will be seeing new certificates with their puppies that may be indicating the new grades very soon. Also there are some very interesting research and breeding figures for CM/SM.
One thing worth flagging is that certificate results will now give two separate grades: one for CM and one for SM:
This is also quite sobering (though also compelling evidence that breeding using scanned, graded dogs *makes a difference*):
(My emphasis.)
If you are unfamiliar with the existing grading scheme behind these figures, it is explained here: http://sm.cavaliertalk.com/breeding/breeding/advice.html
Dr Rusbridge and Penny Knowler have decided that for the foreseeable future, Rupert's Fund money should only go towards scanning males as these are more influential genetically and having stud results would most benefit the breed and breeders generally. Going on these figures, and from what I hear from breeders themselves, too many scanned females are being bred to unscanned males because breeders cannot even find scanned males. This isn't good for the breed's future so it is hoped the availability of full funding for scans via Rupert's Fund will help bring forward some males -- there is money there right now to scan a dozen or more dogs.
Margaret's blog post is here: http://www.cavaliertalk.com/forums/...Chiari-like-Malformation-Syringomyelia-Scheme
She has some other really interesting posts so her blog here is worth following.
One thing worth flagging is that certificate results will now give two separate grades: one for CM and one for SM:
It appears that the scan would be graded for CM by alphabet grades and numbers would be used for SM grades.
This is also quite sobering (though also compelling evidence that breeding using scanned, graded dogs *makes a difference*):
Clare Rusbridge's update on SM research had some good news and some bad.......
There has been a well regulated study that shows that the breeding guidelines do work, and we can breed away from early onset SM........
- A x A matings produce 75.9% of offspring that have no SM.
- A x D,E or F ( affected Cavaliers ) only 41.9% of the offspring have no SM
- A x unscanned dogs 50.0%
- D x D, E or F...There were no offspring that are free of SM.
The bad news......55% of asymptomatic breeding cavaliers being scanned through the low cost centres have SM.
The number of scanned SM free males over five years of age can be counted on one hand.
Once again there was an appeal for owners to come forward and volunteer their over five year old stud dogs.
(My emphasis.)
If you are unfamiliar with the existing grading scheme behind these figures, it is explained here: http://sm.cavaliertalk.com/breeding/breeding/advice.html
Dr Rusbridge and Penny Knowler have decided that for the foreseeable future, Rupert's Fund money should only go towards scanning males as these are more influential genetically and having stud results would most benefit the breed and breeders generally. Going on these figures, and from what I hear from breeders themselves, too many scanned females are being bred to unscanned males because breeders cannot even find scanned males. This isn't good for the breed's future so it is hoped the availability of full funding for scans via Rupert's Fund will help bring forward some males -- there is money there right now to scan a dozen or more dogs.
Margaret's blog post is here: http://www.cavaliertalk.com/forums/...Chiari-like-Malformation-Syringomyelia-Scheme
She has some other really interesting posts so her blog here is worth following.