Testing

Health:

All breeding stock is tested for hip and elbow dysplasia and certified through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Link: ofa.org

All breeding stock is tested for degenerative myelopathy through Gen Sol Diagnostics. Link: gensoldx.com. Puppies can be tested prior to sale.

Breeding stock is tested for brucellosis prior to breeding.

Worming and vaccinating is done routinely without testing unless unusual symptoms occur. Puppies are wormed and vaccinated according to schedule prior to sale. Puppy buyers should follow their vet’s recommendation for follow up worming and vaccines.

Other genetic concerns and tests:

If both parents carry coat factor, puppies might be long coated. Each puppy has a 25% chance of doubling up on this recessive gene and being coated. Puppies can be tested for coat factor prior to sale. Usually, a coated puppy stands out in the litter, but sometimes long coat is not obvious, and if it is a concern, testing can be done.

Other genetic tests for color can be done but are not typically necessary. All Shepherd Sight puppies currently are from traditional Black and Tan stock which will produce Black and Tan only, which in GSDs is a coat pattern as well as coloring. The coloring of the “tan” of a Black and Tan dog can actually be anywhere from a cream to a red color. Richness of the tan color is somewhat affected by diet.

SHEPHERD SIGHT STATS ON LONG COATS WHEN EACH PARENT CARRIES COAT FACTOR

In the Jane and Monte litter of 3, one was a coated puppy, Faye.

In the Jane and Malachi litter, only one puppy out of 10 was coated, Splash.

In the Jane and Cash litter of 11, 4 puppies were coated, Connie, Loosy, Cherry, and Mustang.

so, out of 24 puppies total, 6 were coated, which is exactly 25%!