Registries

Closed registries release only normal results to the public.

• PennHIP and Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) are examples of closed registries.
• Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) was a closed registry, originally.
• Now OFA is a semi-closed registry. All normal results are still released, but abnormal results will only be released to the public with owner consent.

Open registries would provide information on normals, affected and carriers.

• OFA (hip, thyroid, pra, heart, sebaceous adentitis, etc.)
• PennHIP
• CHIC - The Canine Health Information Center, also known as CHIC, is a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by the AKC/Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) For more information, the SCA CHIC liaison is Carla Barstow

Gene Tests

The following DNA tests are available for Samoyeds at this time. These are listed for informational purposes only. SCARF neither recommends or endorses the validity of the tests themselves.

• xl-pra from Optigen
• DNA test for Inherited Retinal Dysplasia/Dwarfism from Optigen
• DNA test for Hereditary Nephritis - Samoyed Hereditary Glomerulopathy from Embark
• Genetic Testing: A Guide for Breeders by Mary Whiteley, Ph.D.

Suggested Reading

• A talking glossary of genetic terminology
• Picking A Puppy - How the genetics of behavior can help you choose the best one for you by Susan Thorpe-Vargas Ph.D.
• Guide to Hereditary and Congenital Diseases in Dogs by W. Jean Dodds, DVM
• Genetics And Breeding Strategies: Essays For The Dog Breeder by Dr. Susan Thorpe-Vargas
• Canine Inherited Disorders Database
• Understanding canine genetics
• Breeding for Health on the malamutehealth.org website
• Canine Genetics Resources on workingdogs.com - a large collection of links for further reading
• Breeding Better Dogs - a list of articles by Carmen L. Battaglia - some of these are very thought provoking
• Natural Protection of Genetic Variation by Dr. Per Eric Sundgren - this makes understanding the importance of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) to your breeding program very understandable
• Practical Genetics for Samoyed Breeders and Owners by Jerold S Bell, DVM, Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine