Page 57 - The Sloughi Review - Issue 9
P. 57
T H E S L O U G H I R E V I E W 5 7
If the 'normal' chromosome can completely But why should this be done, after all, the
compensate for the damaged counterpart, majority of the litter is available for
there is no outward indication of the breeding after a certain period of
mutation lying dormant in the individual observation, if the disease does not show
human or dog. Such an individual is called a in these puppies.
'conductor' or carrier. In later generations,
the problem only arises when two conductors This example illustrates that in breeding,
reproduce with each other. According to the attention must be focused on achieving a
simple rules of genetics, in this case half of broader breeding base.
the offspring will be conductors like their
parents, one quarter will have two 'normal' For this it would be important to
exchange information among breeders
chromosomes, but in one quarter both and use it to give our beloved Sloughis a
chromosomes will have the mutated gene. ... future without suffering.
This is called a recessively inherited disease."
This would save the nerves and money of
A small interruption at this point.
future owners. After all, we want to enjoy
our family members for a long time, don't
Now let's look again at Bryan Sykes' we?
comments above. ... Have you read it?
So let's read on what Bryan Sykes writes
"... in a quarter (of the offspring, statistically)
both chromosomes have the mutated gene." "... Appearance has always been
paramount to dog breeders because
So both mother and father are equally compliance with strict breed standards is
carriers of the disease, which they judged at dog competitions. One of the
themselves have also already inherited from
their parents. And so on. In a statistical most important criteria, perhaps the most
sense, 75% of the puppies' siblings do not important of all, concerns coat
have the defect, indeed 25% do not inherit characteristics ..."
the defect at all!
Here we interrupt again, the coat is not
as important in the Sloughi as it might be
Conversely, it shows that statistically only
25% of the offspring in a litter show the in the Saluki or Afghan Hound.
disease. This means that these puppies
should not be used for breeding!
