Captain Haggerty explains Cryptorchids

(can't study them!)

and why other Genetic Studies are needed.

 

In reference to the article; http://www.thedogplace.com/library/Ed_DNA_litmus_test_0508.htm
 

Your article on "cryptorchidism" and DNA was interesting.  To begin with the correct term is orchidism but even the veterinarian made this common mistake so you get a pass on that.  There are, of course no breeds in studies on cryptorchidism because cryptorchids are sterile (Neither testicle descanting).  Monorchids (one testicle descending or being retained) can reproduce. 

 

I've gotten the nit-picking out of the way so now let me speak in defense of the study.  Personally I think the most valid and pertinent question to ask of any study is WHO is financing (with the subtext of WHY?) the study.  This question will affect the outcome of the study I'm sorry to say.  The slogan "publish or perish" is what keeps these scientists going.  If they keep coming up with the wrong answer how many additional studies will be funded?

 

But this is defense of the study.  More money is available for human research than dog research.  Dogs benefit before humans because generally the research is done on them.  The AR criticism that pure-bred dogs are loaded with all sorts of maladies is not a negative. That is very positive.  Pure-bed dogs give us a reservoir of the genes needed to study these diseases.  The Doberman carries von Willebrand's disease.  For some strange reason they cannot transmit it. 

 

Dr. Thedore Leber was a Berlin MD who died in 1917.  He discovered Leber's congenital amaurosis.  Well ahead of his time Leber now has a breed of dog that carries the disease - the Briard, and NOW there is money for the human research of the disease.  These are all positives and the dog will benefit first.

 

Now Americans do NOT want to know what diseases their dogs carry, no matter what they say. In Germany des Verein fuer deutsche Schaeferhund would not give their permission to breed to a dog that carried a "problem".  Can you imagine what an American would say if someone told hem they couldn't breed their bitch to this stud?

 

Stop and think.  What would be the purpose of such a study if it was not to identify the carriers of the disease?   How many blood samples would they get if people knew that?

 

CAPTAIN HAGGERTY
Author of "How To Get Your Pet Into Show Business"
and "How To Teach Your Dog To Talk" with over 200 tricks
Publisher of the AGGRESSION NEWSLETTER
www.HaggertyDog.com