Health Screening

Before breeding one of our Scotties, we complete an Embark genetic screening. This genetic testing looks for markers in their DNA related to health conditions. There are 3 results.

Zero Copies(Clear): This may also be referred to as being “clear” of the variant, meaning that your dog has two healthy copies of the gene sequence being tested and is not considered at risk for developing the associated disease (at least due to that variant).

One Copy(Carrier): This means that your dog has one copy of the healthy sequence and one copy of the variant sequence. This is often called a "carrier"; meaning the dog "carries" a mutated variant. The likelihood of your dog expressing the disease phenotype because he or she has one copy of the variant, depends on the mode of inheritance (MOI) of that variant as described below. The impact of the variant is also influenced by your dog’s breed(s), sometimes referred to as their genetic background. We recommend speaking with your veterinarian to discuss your dog’s results and clinical risk.

Dogs with one copy of the associated variant will pass the variant to about half of their offspring. Therefore, if you plan to breed a dog with one copy of a breed-applicable variant, testing any potential mates and properly applying those results to your breeding program is recommended.

Two Copies: This means that your dog has inherited two copies of the variant. There may be a potential for showing clinical signs of the disease for which the variant promotes risk. As with one copy, the impact of the variant is also influenced by your dog’s breed(s) and genetic background. We recommend speaking with your veterinarian to discuss your dog’s results and clinical risk.

Dogs with two copies of the variant will pass the variant to all of their offspring. Therefore, if you plan to breed a dog with two copies of a breed-applicable variant, testing any potential mates and properly applying those results to your breeding program is of great importance.

genetic health conditions that Embark screens for

There are 4 specific Scottish Terrier concerns:

Craniomandibular Osteopathy, (CMO): A noncancerous, proliferative bone disease that commonly affects the lower jaw and tympanic bullae, CMO is best known in the West Highland White Terrier, Scottish Terrier, and Cairn Terrier; though it has been observed sporadically in larger dog breeds.

Type I Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD): is a back/spine issue that refers to a health condition affecting the discs that act as cushions between vertebrae. With Type I IVDD, affected dogs can have a disc event where it ruptures or herniates towards the spinal cord. This pressure on the spinal cord causes neurologic signs which can range from a wobbly gait to impairment of movement. Chondrodystrophy (CDDY) refers to the relative proportion between a dog’s legs and body, wherein the legs are shorter and the body longer. There are multiple different variants that can cause a markedly chondrodystrophic appearance as observed in Dachshunds and Corgis. However, this particular variant is the only one known to also increase the risk for IVDD.

Ligneous Membranitis(LM): A rare chronic disease that affects the delicate lining of the nostrils, mouth, throat, and eyelids.Eventually the chronic inflammation leads to thickening and scarring of the affected tissues. The same processes can affect the inner linings of the heart and central nervous system, which can lead to permanent heart and brain damage. LM is caused by a mutation in the gene coding for plasminogen, which plays an important role in dissolving fibrin blood clots.

Von Willebrand Disease (vWD): is a type of coagulopathy, a disorder of blood clotting. vWD is characterized into three types based on clinical severity, serum levels of vWF, and vWF multimer composition. Dogs with Type III vWD have markedly reduced to absent vWF levels with severe clinical signs.

Post Breeding

After breeding has been completed. We start the Dam on a prenatal diet and vitamins. At 30 days we take them in for an ultrasound to confirm pregnancy. 3 to 5 days before birth we have an X-ray completed to count how many she has. This is to make sure all are delivered and that the Dam is healthy.