Ichthyosis is a disease characterized by scaley skin and dandruff. It is not a disease that causes itching, scabbing, or hot spots. In Golden Retrievers, it is usually very mild, though in other breeds it can be much more severe. It can be so mild that there are no clinical symptoms or it can be as severe as a constant flaking of skin. The disease isn’t curable, but is usually well controlled with brushing, mild shampoos and conditioners, and a diet high in fatty acids.
Ichthyosis is more common in Golden Retrievers with European backgrounds with only 30% testing clear of it. 40% are carriers and 30% have results that indicate that they are “affected”. However, it is usually so mild that many dogs are being tested as being “affected” by it when not a flake has been seen. I have talked to several breeders who have dogs with no symptoms whatsoever but who have received an “affected” DNA test result on those same dogs. The worst symptoms I have heard of are light flaking except for one dog who did developed a lot of flakes when he had a compromised immune system because of cancer. As prevalent as this condition seems to be according to the DNA test, few breeders are seeing it in their dogs. Few breeders are testing for it. Most see the test as unreliable with too many dogs testing positive for it with no symptoms.
The gene for Ichthyosis is a recessive gene. Therefore, when one parent is clear, none of the puppies will be affected by it no matter what the other parent is. If both parents are carriers, 25% of the puppies will be affected (not necessarily clinically, but will have a DNA test that says they are affected). If one parent is a carrier and the other is affected, 50% of the puppies will be DNA affected. If both parents are affected, all puppies will be DNA affected.
The DNA test for this condition just became available in the past year and it has been suggested by the Golden Retriever Club of America that breeders make use of the test in the following situations: when there is a sibling or parent who has symptoms of the disease, when there is a sibling or parent who has been DNA tested as a “carrier” or “affected”, or when the dog is an import. GRCA says that Ichthyosis is rare in American Goldens.
Very few breeders of English Goldens are testing for it either because they are unaware of the test, because they have heard how few dogs are passing the test, because they just don’t want to spend the money, or because they have talked to other breeders and realize how few dogs actually have clinical symptoms. As of the writing of this article in May 2012, there are only 7 clear studs in the U.S. and not a whole lot more clear females. If having a puppy clear of Ichthyosis is important to you, go to www.goldendna.org for a list of the clear dogs in the United States. Remember, only one dog needs to be clear for all of its offspring to be unaffected. You will have to wade through the list pulling up the pedigrees to find the imports. By far, most of the dogs on the list are of American lineage.
There are no perfect dogs but we want to breed the very best. Any test can provide information that should be taken into consideration but when there are so few dogs with a clear Ichthyosis test result to choose from, we believe other things are more important. Proof of testing for tight hips and lack of Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, yearly CERF examinations, OFA heart clearance, and PRA-1, as well as talking to breeders about dogs’ temperaments, and making sure there is no evidence of other genetic issues that can’t be tested for such as allergies is of highest importance to us. One of the reasons we prefer the English Goldens to American Goldens is for their health. Unfortunately, English Goldens do have a higher incidence of Ichthyosis in genetic tests, but with the severity of the disease being so mild, we still prefer the overall health of Golden Retrievers with European lines. A bigger chance for light dandruff is something I would accept in exchange for a lower cancer rate and an average life span more than a year longer.
This part is Kristy take on it---Because of the unreliability of the test, because Ichthyosis in Golden Retrievers is rarely a condition that affects the quality of life of the dog, and because there are so few English Goldens who have tested as clear, I think it would still be a good idea to test for it and make that information available to potential buyers. Basically to take Ichthyosis test results into consideration, but to make other issues a priority in a breeding program. Also, in testing I could provide potential puppy families with complete openness and honesty about the background of a puppy same with potential breeders who'd like to breed with Xander. I can ask his breeder if any of his family have shown clinical symptoms as well. I think after reading this, do as much testing as possible so that the buyer can make their own well-informed decision.
Here are some references if you'd like to do further reading on Ichthyosis in Golden Retriever:
Golden Retriever Club of America on Genetic Health (including Ichthyosis) - Some good info
Antagene - The testing company
Golden Retriever Club of Australia on Ichthyosis - Some good info
Purina Pro Club - A good article to read
"Two of the puppies had moderate to severe flakes, or dandruff. Scales could be seen when the hairs on their coat were parted. "When the puppies were 19 weeks old, the signs had disappeared, and eventually, there were no clinical signs,"
Optigen - A place to test
Animal Genetics - A place to test
Golden DNA - A website database of those dogs who have been tested and whose owners have sent in the required paperwork to have their dogs listed
Ichthyosis is more common in Golden Retrievers with European backgrounds with only 30% testing clear of it. 40% are carriers and 30% have results that indicate that they are “affected”. However, it is usually so mild that many dogs are being tested as being “affected” by it when not a flake has been seen. I have talked to several breeders who have dogs with no symptoms whatsoever but who have received an “affected” DNA test result on those same dogs. The worst symptoms I have heard of are light flaking except for one dog who did developed a lot of flakes when he had a compromised immune system because of cancer. As prevalent as this condition seems to be according to the DNA test, few breeders are seeing it in their dogs. Few breeders are testing for it. Most see the test as unreliable with too many dogs testing positive for it with no symptoms.
The gene for Ichthyosis is a recessive gene. Therefore, when one parent is clear, none of the puppies will be affected by it no matter what the other parent is. If both parents are carriers, 25% of the puppies will be affected (not necessarily clinically, but will have a DNA test that says they are affected). If one parent is a carrier and the other is affected, 50% of the puppies will be DNA affected. If both parents are affected, all puppies will be DNA affected.
The DNA test for this condition just became available in the past year and it has been suggested by the Golden Retriever Club of America that breeders make use of the test in the following situations: when there is a sibling or parent who has symptoms of the disease, when there is a sibling or parent who has been DNA tested as a “carrier” or “affected”, or when the dog is an import. GRCA says that Ichthyosis is rare in American Goldens.
Very few breeders of English Goldens are testing for it either because they are unaware of the test, because they have heard how few dogs are passing the test, because they just don’t want to spend the money, or because they have talked to other breeders and realize how few dogs actually have clinical symptoms. As of the writing of this article in May 2012, there are only 7 clear studs in the U.S. and not a whole lot more clear females. If having a puppy clear of Ichthyosis is important to you, go to www.goldendna.org for a list of the clear dogs in the United States. Remember, only one dog needs to be clear for all of its offspring to be unaffected. You will have to wade through the list pulling up the pedigrees to find the imports. By far, most of the dogs on the list are of American lineage.
There are no perfect dogs but we want to breed the very best. Any test can provide information that should be taken into consideration but when there are so few dogs with a clear Ichthyosis test result to choose from, we believe other things are more important. Proof of testing for tight hips and lack of Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, yearly CERF examinations, OFA heart clearance, and PRA-1, as well as talking to breeders about dogs’ temperaments, and making sure there is no evidence of other genetic issues that can’t be tested for such as allergies is of highest importance to us. One of the reasons we prefer the English Goldens to American Goldens is for their health. Unfortunately, English Goldens do have a higher incidence of Ichthyosis in genetic tests, but with the severity of the disease being so mild, we still prefer the overall health of Golden Retrievers with European lines. A bigger chance for light dandruff is something I would accept in exchange for a lower cancer rate and an average life span more than a year longer.
This part is Kristy take on it---Because of the unreliability of the test, because Ichthyosis in Golden Retrievers is rarely a condition that affects the quality of life of the dog, and because there are so few English Goldens who have tested as clear, I think it would still be a good idea to test for it and make that information available to potential buyers. Basically to take Ichthyosis test results into consideration, but to make other issues a priority in a breeding program. Also, in testing I could provide potential puppy families with complete openness and honesty about the background of a puppy same with potential breeders who'd like to breed with Xander. I can ask his breeder if any of his family have shown clinical symptoms as well. I think after reading this, do as much testing as possible so that the buyer can make their own well-informed decision.
Here are some references if you'd like to do further reading on Ichthyosis in Golden Retriever:
Golden Retriever Club of America on Genetic Health (including Ichthyosis) - Some good info
Antagene - The testing company
Golden Retriever Club of Australia on Ichthyosis - Some good info
Purina Pro Club - A good article to read
"Two of the puppies had moderate to severe flakes, or dandruff. Scales could be seen when the hairs on their coat were parted. "When the puppies were 19 weeks old, the signs had disappeared, and eventually, there were no clinical signs,"
Optigen - A place to test
Animal Genetics - A place to test
Golden DNA - A website database of those dogs who have been tested and whose owners have sent in the required paperwork to have their dogs listed