Questionnaire on hipdysplasia (meant for the IFR Delegates)

We hereby send out a third questionnaire, this time with questions about the way (methods) the Rottweiler is tested on Hipdysplasia in your country and how cynology and in particular your Rottweilerclub (wants to) act(s) on it. 

Dear IFR-Delegates, Rottweiler Friends,

We hereby send out a third questionnaire, this time with questions about the way (methods) the Rottweiler is tested on Hipdysplasia in your country and how cynology and in particular your Rottweilerclub (wants to) act(s) on it.

We know that prior testing of breeding dogs and excluding affected dogs has certainly improved the degree of suffering and in general the genetic affection of our breed but it has proven far from being a final solution.

We know indeed that hipdysplasia is a polygene and multifactorial genetic disease. 

In many countries active research is done to find the genes and the mutations that are part of its cause.

We even learn that several markers for some of the responsible (or at least suspected) genes have already been found and we would like to know if you have knowledge of such scientifc researches in your country and of the contactpersons for that research.

We feel indeed that the time has come that our global Federation does more than just discuss what is being done on national levels to test the dogs and that we must examine if and how it is possibly – maybe in cooperation with other canine organisations - both to support existing researches and to worldwide benefit from already known results.

Again, for this, we need input and knowledge and will discuss this topic at the Meeting of Breed Wardens and Delegates in May 2017.

I know that some like to wave the proverb in the air … but I wish the IFR to put it into practice, not into hot air : Facta, non verba.

With friendly greetings,

On behalf of the IFR-Board,

D. Vandecasteele,

President