Dog Show Animalabs

Visit us at European Dog Show 2016 in Brussels, Belgium

After 4 Summer Night Shows in Split, our next stop is an even bigger dog lovers and breeders event: FCI-European Dog Show 2016, in Brussels, Belgium, held on 26.-28. August.

As Belgium was the first country in history to organise a dog show, we expect this show to be very interesting and a lot of dog breeds to be seen. More than 12 000 dogs are expected to be shown in these three days.

dog genetics

Dog Genetics – Introduction to Modes of Inheritance

In previous years, big advances have been made in understanding of dog genetics. Different traits or inherited diseases differ among each other in modes of inheritance. Progress in the field of dog genetics, the CanMap project and recognition of a dog as a model for a number of inherited diseases in humans led to identification of mutations associated with many different diseases and traits found in various dog breeds.

Now breeders can take care of their breeding stock by DNA testing for neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, sensory, renal, metabolic and other numerous disorders. A lot of information of dog disease genetics was acquired in a short amount of time. Although it will take time to fully come to understanding all of the findings, it is necessary for breeders to understand the DNA tests results they get for their dogs. To be able to put the results to use in practice, basic knowledge of modes of inheritance is needed.

Cooperation with breed clubs

As one of our working goals, AnimaLabs© is focusing on assisting breeders in their future breeding with the use of DNA tests in order to breed healthy animals. Due to high interest, AnimaLabs© decided to suggest cooperation with breed clubs in order to fulfill that goal. We are very pleased that the breed clubs recognized the benefits and importance of our cooperation, and that we provided breed club members timely recognition of their animals’ susceptibility to developing inherited diseases; all at affordable and reasonable prices.

German shepherds - DNA tests for genetic diseases

German shepherds – DNA tests for genetic diseases

German shepherds as we know them today is a relatively new breed. This breed is the result of a vision of a man named Max von Stepanitz. His vision was to create a superior German herding work dog. He pictured an athletic, intelligent dog that was fast, capable and had a good sense of smell.  In 1899 during a show Von Stepanitz came across a dog named Hektor Linksrhein, which was just like the one he had imagined. Von Stepanitz bought the dog immediately and changed its name to Horand von Grafrath. Soon after that he founded The German Shepherd Association to establish a breed from Horand’s descendants. Rapid industrialization reduced the need for shepherd dogs, so the future of this breed was focused on police and military work.