BREEDING ADVICE TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF VIP
In 2015 a paper was published to describe the clinical aspects of VIP and to provide guidelines for breeding
** The scientists’ core advice was that inbreeding be reduced in order to minimise homozygosity of the risk haplotype and also that the breeding of dogs with immediate relatives with VIP be avoided **
** This advice is explicit and straightforward **
** Should I breed from the First Degree Relative of an Affected Dog ? **
No To do so is to risk directly producing further affected pups – and also unaffected individuals that are nevertheless capable of passing on disease potential for generations to come. Breeders must make it their business to actively investigate the prospecive mate’s pedigree to check for VIP connections and to steer away from these – if found. The followings tools will be helfpul to identify VIP Producers and typical Familial Patterns
** Should I breed from the Second Degree Relative of an Affected Dog? **
Possibly We advise that caution be exercised if breeding from the Second Degree Relative of an Affected Dog. Care should be taken to avoid a mate that also has VIP in their pedigree. The Kennel Club Advice in the matter of breeding from relatives of Dogs affected by complex diseases that cannot be tested for is –
Your dog should only be considered for breeding later on in life, after ensuring that it is not affected and does not develop the condition later. When choosing a mate, you should ensure that they have no record of the condition in their line, paying particular care to close relatives
BREEDERS
Honesty, transparency and DISCLOSURE (about health issues in general) is the only way that breeders can hope to reduce the incidence of illnesses that cannot be tested for. It will take a similar determination on the part of the owners of both the stud dog and brood bitch to make the right choices – and in the long term help to ensure a healthier future for our lovely breed.
OWNERS
We recommend that to reduce the risk of buying a pup with VIP risk potential prospective buyers do a great deal of research before purchase. Please ask the breeder about any family health problems (and be sure you trust the answers)