1. A tool to help dog breeders identify genetic risks
The client: The Dachshund Breed Council (DBC) is a community group that works with breed clubs and breeders to improve dogs’ health and welfare.
The client’s problem: Some Miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds suffer from a form of epilepsy called Lafora Disease. 2 DNA tests are available, but are not yet used by all breeders. The DBC wanted a tool to help predict the probability of breeding puppies with Lafora Disease.
The approach: Dr. Sophie Carr (Bays Consulting Ltd.) worked with Ian Seath (Chairman of the DBC) to review the quarterly Kennel Club litter registration and results of the Lafora DNA screening from As such all puppies bred from both tested and untested parents were included. Sophie created Probability Trees for all known breeding combinations. These formed the basis for an Excel tool comprising data entry, calculations and results.
The benefits
DBC has a tool which can be used to help raise awareness of the need for Lafora Screening
Identifying the probability of breeding affected puppies will lead to more informed decisions being made by breeders
The tool can be used to investigate the potential impacts of different breeding strategies, such as removing affected dogs from the gene pool
The tool is robust, simple to use and draws on readily available DNA test and litter registration data
The solution
Review the DNA test data and 12 month litter registration statistics
Develop Probability Trees for different possible breeding combinations
Produce an Excel spreadsheet to predict the probability of breeding Lafora-affected puppies which can be updated as required
“Brilliant – it makes the predictions of risk visible”
“This will be so useful”
(Lafora Screening Co-ordinators)