2019
DNA-testing and Nordic Biobanking (item 7, 2019)
Statement: During the last years, the Nordic kennel clubs have been approached by various commercial interests regarding sampling, storing and analysis of DNA and tissues, as well as collection of phenotypical data. The NKU DNA group, composed of scientists as well as kennel club staff, have recognized the complexity of the issue, and want to emphasize the importance for the kennel clubs to maintain the ownership of these resources. The kennel clubs should be cautious and aim to protect the long-term interest of the dogs, owners and breeders. They should ensure that the DNA, tissues and phenotypical data are handled in a way that benefits these stakeholders. They should also avoid unnecessary cost for them. Relying on gene tests/storage of DNA from commercial interests have the risk of introducing unnecessary cost for dog owners.
It is also crucial to enable the samples and data for research. In the Nordic countries there is a long tradition of collaboration between the kennel clubs and universities, including the sharing of samples on specific diseases/breeds/projects for the benefit of the dogs and their owners. Universities will also ensure impartial quality control of disease diagnostics/classification using a limited number of highly qualified specialist/clinician/pathologists which is necessary in most projects. Too much commercial interest could hamper efficient sharing of samples across borders and have a negative effect on research for the benefit of dog welfare.
DNA profiling (DNA “fingerprinting”, parental testing) (item 7, 2019)
Statement: In general, there are currently more cost than benefit to perform mandatory DNA profiling (parental testing). The NKU/DNA group agrees that DNA profiling on a routine basis should not be mandatory. This statement is supported by the NKU/VK.
DNA test for diseases/conditions with unclear inheritance (item 7, 2019)
Statement: The general approach of NKU/DNA-group and NKU/VK is to advice against the use of genetic tests for conditions where the inheritance is unclear. Tests for diseases that are influenced by many genes should be applied only in cases where evidence based on scientific publications has established that the mutation or mutations cause a considerable and defined risk of disease, and provided that the condition is of clinical relevance in the breed concerned. If risk tests are recorded in the databases, the results should not be recorded as “affected” or “free”, but rather a grade/letter associated with a relative risk estimate.
Laboratories approved for DNA-testing in the Nordic Kennel Clubs (item 7, 2019)
Statement: The Nordic kennel clubs approve of the IPFD harmonization project and value this as important for developing more specific quality indicators for laboratories. However, the Nordic kennel clubs may have additional requirements. The quality verification of laboratories is time consuming, and the Nordic kennel clubs may therefore reject new laboratories according to lack of recourses. If a laboratory is approved for one test in one of the Nordic countries, as a general principle, the lab should also be approved for this test in the other Nordic countries, if applicable.
Recognition of new breeds – from the NKU/AU-meetings (item 20c, 2019)
Statement: NKU/VK would like to stress the expressed view from March 2018 that our general opinion is that the negative effects of small populations should be taken into consideration when recognizing new breeds. The first choice should always be considering the new breed as a variety of an existing breed or permitting crossbreeding with related breeds. When new breeds (non-FCI recognized breeds) are recognized by NKU/AU on national basis, crossing with closely related breeds should be considered.
2022
Limitations in breeding with respect to coat colour (item 16, 2022)
Statement: NKU/VK would like to emphasise that improper coat colour should not be considered an eliminating fault that excludes dogs from breeding. Except for colours associated with health issues, e.g. merle.
Genetic diversity (item 17, 2022)
Statement: NKU/VK would like to emphasize the importance of genetic diversity in dog breeding. Selection for desired traits as well as management of genetic diseases require enough genetic variation in the gene pool of each breed. Hence, genetic diversity is a prerequisite for long-term sustainable breeding and considered by the NKU/VK to be the single most important issue in dog breeding.
Recently published scientific studies, based on analyses of molecular genetic information, indicate that levels of genomic inbreeding are very high in many breeds. In addition, several breeds suffer from welfare problems related to inbreeding, such as impaired fertility or health issues. This highlights that shortage of genetic diversity is a highly relevant topic in many breeds.
The committee has identified a need to develop recommendations and strategies related to management of genetic diversity, e.g. guidelines for application of new tools such as genomic inbreeding coefficients and estimates of average relationship (släktskapsindex). Moreover, NKU/VK would like to stress the importance of breed clubs working together to broaden the gene pool and exchange experiences and information.
Breed crosses and open studbooks (item 18, 2022)
Statement: Breed crosses and open studbooks is an important topic considering the low genetic diversity and health issues in some breeds. Many dog breeds could potentially benefit from having new genetic material added to their gene pool, either to increase genetic diversity in general, and/or to improve the situation with respect to specific diseases or morphological traits that are hard or impossible to improve within the existing population. Inter-breed matings have been used throughout the history of dog breeding. Despite this, outcross projects are considered very controversial by some breed clubs and breeders. Even in breeds where the potential for improvement is obvious, outcrossing is avoided. NKU/VK intends to continue work with this matter to support breed clubs and increase the acceptance for controlled and well-planned inter-breed matings and open studbooks, aiming at improved health and longevity in dog breeds.
2023
Limitations in breeding with respect to coat colour (item 11, 2023)
Statement: NKU/VK would like to stress the expressed view from March 2018 that our general opinion is that the negative effects of small populations should be taken into consideration when recognizing new breeds. The first choice should always be considering the new breed as a variety of an existing breed or permitting crossbreeding with related breeds.When new breeds (non-FCI recognized breeds) are recognized by NKU/AU on national basis, crossing with closely related breeds should be considered.
In addition to this statement, NKU/VK would like to emphasize the that the negative effects of small populations should be taken into consideration also when dividing already existing breeds into sub-populations. It is highly desirable to maintain a gene flow (exchange of breeding animals) between sub-populations.
Clear by parentage (item 23a, 2023)
Statement: NKU/VK recommends a harmonised procedure with respect to clear by parentage (hereditary free dogs) in all the Nordic countries, implying a limitation of three generations. All Nordic countries have experienced several cases where parentage turned out to be wrong, test results have been wrong or dogs have been mixed up at the clinic or laboratory. These cases are very time consuming and often affect many dogs and dog owners. In addition, these inaccuracies imply a risk of affected offspring. So far, this procedure has been implemented in Sweden and Finland.
DNA tests to determine breed ancestry (item 23b, 2023)
Statement: Molecular genetic analyses of breed ancestry can be of scientific value to study the genetic makeup of a breed and the relationship between breeds. However, the tests currently offered cannot be applied to determine with certainty whether a dog meets the FCI's requirement of three generations of the same breed and should not be used as basis for definition of a breed. Breed affiliation is traditionally based on phenotype and should not be equated with the individuals in the pedigree not showing any traces of any other breed based on DNA analyses.
Recently created breeds, breeds with an open studbook or breeds where crosses have been made in the recent past can be expected to exhibit genetic variation from more than one breed. Moreover, NKU/VK would like to emphasize that breeding of pedigree dogs is facing challenges related to closed stud books and low genetic variation. This should be taken into account when applying new molecular genetic tools. In the case of suspected fraud, it is advised to use parentage testing to verify parentage when possible, rather than applying tests for breed ancestry.