OFA is one of the few places you can look up a Chesapeake Bay Retriever’s pedigree. Most, of the well breed conformation and field dogs will have multiple generations listed. Unfortunately, it’s also common to find holes or missing dogs in the lineage because owners failed to report test or just didn’t have them done. The real value in the OFA pedigree is when all health test conducted are reported.
CHIC Numbers
Today only hips, elbows and eyes are required to be “awarded” an Canine Health Information Center, CHIC number. You’ll seldom see a dog with a questionable genetic issue and a CHIC number together. This is due to owners intentionally excluding test results by not allowing OFA to publish them. It seems everyone is trying to avoid the unfair stigma associated with a dog or kennel for having a flaw no matter how minor. As a result, the only news displayed is good news!
Thus, the current CHIC rating for Chessies gives the impression this is a badge representing solid stock. I’ll maintain this is deceptive because there are a number of physical and genetic tests which a Chessie can be checked for at this time which are excluded. Some of the more serious DNA tests not included in the CHIC program include: Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC) and Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Time for a Change
Years ago, many of the DNA test were new and very expensive. The degree of of serious genetic issues within the breed pool was unknown. As time has gone on, we’ve become presumably smarter, yet there doesn’t appear to be an overwhelming call to require more genetic tests to be included in the CHIC requirement. PRA was a hot topic a decade ago but surprisingly the roar has died down. Did PRA disappear? I don’t think so. Today, Degenerative Myelopathy conversations over shadow all other genetic testing to the point of ostracizing DM carriers, while ignoring the possibility the dogs you shove aside today might be free of the next genetic defect uncovered tomorrow.
The extremely shortsighted and unscientific call to eliminate DM carriers from the breeding pool is a major compelling reason the ACC to move to include ALL genetic test in CHIC. Breeders/buyers should be reviewing all DNA test. When ALL DNA is considered, there’s a good chance a reversal in attitudes toward DM carriers will occur. Whereby, an exceptional dog with good genes, other than DM carrier status might now be sought after for breeding vs. drowned out of the pool.
In closing, the time has come to all use all the DNA Tests at our disposal and openly share them through CHIC to ensure the vitality of future generations of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.
Do test results have to be normal?
“No, CHIC is not about normalcy. CHIC is meant to encourage health testing and sharing of all results, normal and abnormal, so that more informed breeding decisions can be made in an overall effort to reduce the incidence of genetic disease and improve canine health.”