Comments on the individual items

1. General

[The GSD is certainly not the only breed in which hip dysplasia appears, but as mentioned elsewhere, HD has a very high profile in the breed. A hereditary predisposition is responsible for it. Therefore, measures were subsequently formulated to serve the genetic improvement of the breed. In addition, the SV continues to give advice for the breed’s suitable nourishment ad necessary care in infancy. According to the SV, scientific investigations have shows that for HD, as diagnosed with the old leg-extended view, around 20% of the (phenotype) variation from one animal to another depends on differences in the genes. This low heritability shows that other factors (in the individual) must also be considered, and therein lies the SV’s mistaken or undue amount of emphasis on “upbringing”. Especially on optimized nourishment and expert, cautious raising and training. Therefore they say that a breeding program can be concerned with and solve only a part of the problem. Beyond that, it is the duty if the SV, they say, to wage the HD fight via nourishment advice and enlightened training and upbringing/maintenance practices].

2. Determination of genetic risks

The SV employs an estimate, in its attention to genes, by means of the Zuchtwert evaluation. Presently the statistical process is determined by MMP and MME as the best available procedure, which includes information on all relationships. The breed worthiness is expressed as relative breed values with the median value being 100 (representing a breed cross-section) and having a standard deviation of 10 points. In the breeding program it must be determined how best to make use of the Zuchtert numbers and information. Since it is a complex mathematical process, what is presented to the public is only a summary of this scientifically studied and accepted method. The door is left open for changing the process for a more effective one if it became available. Presently, however, it is the technology of the Mixed Linear Models that is the optimal process:

MME : Mixed Model Estimated for the determination of any gross false clutter or interference with the evaluation, and

MMP: Mixed Model Prediction for the forecasting of the inherited transmission by the animals). The process some perhaps know as “BLUP” belongs to this methodology.

3. Information

The HD classifications serve as information for the Zuchtwert evaluation according to the guidelines of the FCI. Further knowledge (from an earlier radiograph, for example) is handled according to its relevance and importance. If one wants to calculated breed worthiness from currently available information, it must be regulated and defined just what information that would be. It should be clear that current radiography remains unchanged at present. It was determined that the current HD classifications [Normal, Fast-Normal, and Noch Zugelassen, plus the obvious and disqualifying grades of HD] suffice to define the inherited distinctions. The disadvantages of a shift in policy, direction, and judgement of the classification would lead to too large a change, and would result in a loss of all current knowledge, [being replaced by something that would be no longer comparable]. Nevertheless, the situation anticipates that further knowledge can be included. We (the SV) will work on such possibilities. [Thus, they close the door to PennHIP adoption yet say they leave it open a crack at the same time].

4. Present calculation and information responsibility

The current Zuchtwert numbers are made available in a suitable manner at least at the beginning of each quarter to members, breeders, and local clubs. In addition, the Zuchtwert is updated on “information-software” CD-ROMs (“SV Genetics”), which are obtainable from the SV headquarters. These numbers are required to be publish in the mating-notice bulletins (Nachrichten ses SV-Zuchtbuchamtes, stud service or mating news etc.). In Germnay, Landesgruppen (regional groups) delegates with access to the interest (www.schaefund.de) are responsible to the members and breeders for making available this information to those not on the ‘net. This obligation is resolved by the EDP (electronic data) department at the SV headquarters through the news media, through PC (computer) support, and through the Internet, but naturally also by direct inquiries to the headquarters (for a fee).

5. Progress

Animals with medium and severe HD have already been excluded from the gene pool forbidden to breed according to section 4, paragraph 1.3 of the breeding rules of the VDH. Nothing is lost if animals that are themselves severely affected by HD are left with no potential partners with far-enough below-average ZW numbers to breed to, anyhow.... their own Zuchtwert numbers are too high. Dogs that in regard to other features are allowed to breed according to the Zuchtordnung (the breeding rules of the SV), may be so included only in regard to their partners’ scores; which is to say, if the HD risk for the puppy itself as averaged from the ZW numbers of the parents does not exceed a certain limit. At this time, a limit of 100 is determined to be an upper boundary. It is recommended that you strive for the lower values. The respective breed value published in the quarter in which the date of mating falls, is the figure that counts as the Zuchtwert of the breeding pair. If the mating should occur within a maximum of 2 weeks after publication of the Zuchtwert numbers, you could also use the numbers given in the prior quarter as the prior quarter as the bases for the average.

[without such restrictions and/or selection, no further progress could be expected. The peculiarity here, however, lies in the distinctive from of the restrictions. To a certain extent, it is contradictory to the idea of the master plan, if these breeding restrictions were to be based on the owner’s judgement of the animals and he wanted to loosen them. However, the new rules now take effect. In the breed scene the breeder now has the duty to look for such studs for his bitch who prove to be the good genetic producers, those that are expected to produce puppies with below- average risk. According to the SV, it is important that a bitch remains in the gene pool as long as the breeder is successful in finding dogs that are good enough for that bitch.

Let is play through another example: A bitch has a breed value (ZW) number of 102, i.e., she ranks slightly higher than the medium risk. The breeder must be sure his first-choice dogs (for performance, beauty, character, type, etc.) have ZWs of 98 or lower. Let us assume he chooses a dog with the breed value of 96; then the initial expectation for the puppies is 99, which is acceptable for the breeding program. No one prevents him from taking her to perhaps “an 89 dog”. Both studs are acceptable, but the conclusion is that the 98 is not as good as the 89‚

Now, a ZW assessment is no guarantee. It certainly can happen that bad results can arise from this combination. If the father already had many x-rayed progeny and one knows his breed value with a high degree of confidence, this mostly affects the bitch. Let us say her breed value amounts to 107 and that of the dog is 97 (average 102), so a repeat mating would be not permitted. [However, I have already noted that this “rule” is being circumvented all the time!] the breeder must choose for the next breeding a dog with a maximum of 93 (average of 107 and 93 is 100). The breed progress regulations thus allow for a range that permits much freedom in the choice, and forces the use of good genetic producers, in proportion to how badly the bitch produces. Also, in this standard range young animals from good producing lines have the best chances. The principle of this Zuchtwert-oriented breeding is called “strategic pairing.”

Now, there was still the problem in the practical routine that after a cut-off date, breed values might have lost their validity and new numbers put in their place. A mating planned and arranged today could have become inadmissible tomorrow. In the discussion leading to the establishment of this breeding scheme, this failing was revealed and disarmed: in the first 14 days after validation a new Zuchtwert figure, the numbers of the preceding quarter can also be put on the application. If the new is better than the old, then the new of course is valid. If the new number no longer meets the averaging requirements, but all is arrange, the mating still is possible, insofar as the two-week time limit is observed.

6. Matings in foreign countries

Dogs from the foreign countries are welcomed and may be used only if:
• they are found in the database of the SV with at least 3 generations,
• an HD evaluation comparable with the German method exists, and
• a calculated breed value was used in the breeding.

Proof of the “a”-stamp for HD was also necessary. In the passage of the new breeding program, it was anticipated that the owners of dogs certified in the foreign country may get a similar registration by applying to the SV and submitting the HD evaluation result. After that first step, it is put “into the German market”. If the dog is initially integrated into the EDP of the SV, and the SV has a studbook (SZ) number for him, then he is automatically included in the breed value procedure. His progeny in Germany then determine his future image. Without this regulation we would have bitches for which the suitable partner is simply difficult to find in Germany, but is licensed in foreign countries. However, that cannot be in the best interest of the breed.