4. HEALTH TESTING and DNA REQUIREMENTS Quick Reference Guide Click Here
This section outlines the registry requirements for all potential ITR breeding dogs. The following is the required health testing and DNA profiling that must be completed for a dog to qualify for breeding and produce offspring that are eligible for Full ITR registration. An ITR breeder must send these results by email to the ITR Registrar, at registrar@tamaskan-register.com, as soon as possible, prior to breeding, to ensure timely litter registration.
In certain rare circumstances, exceptions to these requirements may be granted with prior approval by the ITR Committee of Breeders (CoB); a detailed explanation will accompany the written request, and specific terms and conditions may apply.
Depending on the circumstances, some accidental litters may also qualify for special consideration / approval by the ITR Committee of Breeders (CoB) so that the litter can be registered; a detailed explanation will accompany the written request, and specific terms and conditions may apply.
4.1. Hip and Elbow Certification
4.1.1. The ITR age requirement for hip and elbow evaluations is over the age of twelve (12) months.
4.1.2. An ITR breeding dog must have passing hip and elbow scores, in the form of an official certificate, from one of the following institutions:
4.2. Eye Testing Requirements
4.2.1. After 1 June 2021 all ITR breeding dogs over the age of twelve (12) months old must have a passing eye exam, conducted by a licensed veterinary ophthalmologist, within the twelve (12) months prior to each litter.
4.2.2. After 1 June 2021 all eye exams must include screening for gonioscopy.
4.2.3. After 1 June 2021 any ITR Breeding dog retired or frozen prior to the age of six (6) years old, will require a final eye exam at six (6) years of age.
4.2.4. ITR Breeders, who live in a country where an official canine eye exam scheme (or a similar / equivalent canine eye screening exam) does not yet exist, will need to have the dog’s eyes examined by a licensed veterinary ophthalmologist. The licensed veterinary ophthalmologist must provide a printed and signed/stamped statement or certificate verifying these results, along with your dog’s microchip number and other identifying information.
4.2.5. A passing eye exam score is an official certificate (CAER/ECVO Form) with one of the following ratings:
4.3. Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
To qualify for breeding all ITR breeding dogs must have one of these DNA results submitted:
4.3.1. DNA test results, such as MyDogDNA/Embark, showing that the dog is DM Clear (has two (2) normal copies of the DM allele)
4.3.2. DNA test results, such as MyDogDNA/Embark, showing that the dog is DM Carrier (one (1) normal copy and one (1) abnormal DM allele).
4.4. Certificate of Entirety
4.4.1. All ITR stud dogs over the age of twelve (12) months old must submit results of Certificate of Entirety / signed veterinary statement to an ITR Registrar by email.
4.5. DNA Parentage Testing
4.5.1. After 1 June 2021 all ITR breeding dogs will be tested with Embark and provided both parents are tested with Embark the resulting progeny will have parentage through Embark.
4.5.2. Litters born where only one parent is tested with Embark will need to confirm parentage through Neogen Geneseek for that generation.
4.5.3. Prior to 1 June 2021 all ITR breeding dogs must be DNA profiled via Neogen GeneSeek, which provides a unique identifying DNA sequence and to confirm parentage.
4.5.4. In certain rare circumstances, if a dog does not have a Neogen GeneSeek DNA profile on file and the owner is no longer able to obtain DNA (for example: due to the death of the dog) the owner will contact the ITR Committee of Breeders (CoB) for a DNA exemption; a detailed explanation will accompany the written request, and specific terms and conditions may apply.
4.6. DNA Health and Traits Testing
4.6.1. After 1 June 2021 any ITR breeding dog, not already tested by Embark or MyDogDNA prior to 1 May 2021, must have DNA panel testing results submitted to the ITR Registrars, in the form of an official copy (PDF), from Embark for Breeders (with Breed Identification).
4.6.2. After 1 June 2021 ITR breeders will also test every live puppy, in their litters, with Embark for Breeders, and submit all results to the ITR registrars, including breed makeup.
4.6.2. Results will include health, Genetic COI, Swab code, Breed Analysis and proof of parentage for litters born after 1 June 2021. Embark PDF copies should be sent with litter registration. Litters born with both parents tested with Embark will also require Genetic COI for the litter from Embark.
4.6.3. Prior to 1 June 2021 dogs could be tested with either MyDogDNA/Optimal Selection or Embark.
4.6.4. Any breeding dog over the age of six (6) who has not already had this testing done will be grandfathered in. All dogs who are still breeding and are under the age of six (6) will need to submit results prior to litters born after 1 January 2020.
4.7. Cardiac Auscultation
4.7.1. As of 1 January 2021 all ITR breeding dogs over the age of twelve (12) months must have one (1) passing cardiac exam, conducted by a licensed veterinarian, following the OFA guidelines for cardiac auscultation. Results must be submitted to ITR Registrar prior to next breeding after 1 January 2021.
4.7.2. If any abnormality or murmur is found the following will apply:
4.7.2.1. All abnormality or murmur will be followed up, at minimum, with an echocardiogram to diagnose the problem;
4.7.2.2. All abnormalities must be reported, to the ITR, as soon as known;
4.7.2.3. Affected dogs will not be bred
English Form: OFA Application & Instructions for Vet
4.8. Foundation Dog Testing and Health Regulations
4.8.1. New Foundation dogs must have all mandatory health testing, from Section 4, except Neogen, submitted to the ITR COB to qualify for Final approval. This includes:
♦Hip Score
♦Elbow Score
♦DNA test for Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
♦Eye exam conducted by a licensed veterinary ophthalmologist including gonioscopy screening
♦Certificate of Entirety for males
♦DNA panel testing through Embark (with Breed Identification)
4.8.2. The ITR COB may require additional breed specific testing depending on the Foundation dog being submitted, prior to final approval.