Hip
Dysplasia, the LMX Formula
by Shiloh Shepherd
Founder, Tina Barber
 Many
German Shepherd lovers have seen, known, or loved a dog that suffered great
pain, even had to be put down at a young age due to Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD).
Though we love this huge breed, the question begs to be asked “Is it worth the risk to purchase and fall in love with a dog only to watch is struggle
to stand up when it should be in the prime of its life?”
Through the lifetime
dedication to her dogs, Tina Barber has created a breed that holds all the
traits of the German Shepherds of old, without one critical
characteristic-bad hips. Too good to be true? No. Through her Litter Mate
X-ray program or LMX, she has answered the prayers to every brokenhearted
German Shepherd Dog owner by producing Shiloh Shepherds that are 97% dysplastic free.
Let’s start at the
beginning. First, in simple words, what is Canine Hip Dysplasia? Canine
Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is a truly crippling disease. It causes weakness,
deterioration, and ultimately arthritic hips in dogs and is considered a
genetic trait. Understanding that this condition is primarily genetic is
the key Tina has used to produce Shilohs from her kennel who are 97% dysplasia free.
It is simple genetics to
understand that an inherited trait is a characteristic passed from
parents to offspring, each parent offering fifty percent (50%) of the
offspring’s total genetic makeup. We have all said something like “You have
your mother’s blue eyes.” That’s simple genetics. So, the knowledge that CHD is genetic is understandable, but how do we avoid the passage of that
trait? The answer seems easy, know the parents. If mom and dad are clear
of hip dysplasia, the puppies will be fine-right? Wrong! It is easy to
spot a genetic trait that both parents display, back to the example of blue
eyes. But what about that child that has those same beautiful blue eyes
when both parents have brown? Here lies the key Tina Barber has found to
practically rid the Shiloh Shepherds of hip dysplasia.
Tina’s LMX program (Litter Mate X-rays) has taken the genetic study of her
Shilohs to an entirely new level, and is a unique program to Shiloh
Shepherds. Many understand the concept of dominant and recessive genes,
again basic genetics. Dominant is what you can see (known as phenotype) and
recessive is what you have but don’t see (genotype). Why is this
information important? Just because the parent dogs don’t, themselves, have
hip dysplasia does not mean they don’t carry the gene. So, can this gene
show itself through puppies if it does not show in either parent? You bet.
For each dog you see,
there is also what can be thought of as a “shadow dog.” The traits of a dog
that is in each dog, but cannot be seen. Therefore, an offspring of a dog
that does not have hip dysplasia can suffer from CHD. The first situation to
illuminate this point-- each parent does not have the phenotype for hip
dysplasia, yet carry the genotype. Therefore, both parents carry that
recessive. As a result, a dysplastic puppy can be born from parents that
do not themselves have hip dysplasia. Another scenario, a puppy may not
display actual dysplasia, but is a carrier since it got the recessive gene
from mom or dad. Now, this puppy is ultimately bred with a dog who also
carries the recessive, again, you have a dysplastic puppy.
This knowledge would solve it all if we could determine the genotype, or
recessive qualities of each parent dog. Unfortunately, that is not
possible. However, Tina discovered if x-rays were taken of not only dogs
that were intended for breeding, but of all litter mates born, those
genotypes or recessive genes would reveal themselves allowing to only breed
those dogs who did not carry the gene causing hip dysplasia. This “brings
out” that shadow dog through x-rays. If a parent dog does not have CHD, but
is passing on the gene, that dog is no longer used for breeding. Without
data on litter mates, it would be impossible to reveal the recessive gene.
 This is not theory- data is the key to Tina’s research, but it is also the
key to proving her success. Numbers don’t lie! To restate the most
impressive statistic, her kennel is 97% free of hip dysplasia. How does
this compare to today’s German Shepherd? The GSD is at 16% dysplasia
with only 1% of dogs being x-rayed. The bad x-rays are not being reported.
So the gene for those bad hips simply passes on to the next generation. It
is stated by the OFA that hip dysplasia can only be reduced by selectively
breeding for normal hips! Since it is now a fact that CHD is caused by
inheritance, it is imperative to know about your dog’s entire gene pool!
There is a philosophical
difference between puppy producers and breeders. The end result of a true
breeder is to continue to better the breed and produce puppies that are
products of optimal specimens. They are after more than selling puppies for
high dollars. You don’t have to be a huge puppy mill to behave in a manner
that is harmful to dogs and future owners. It is also the small “breeders”
that over breed, don’t monitor genetics, and allow substandard examples of a
breed to reproduce and allow flawed genetics to continue pass to litters
that should never be born. If a puppy is born with less than desirable
traits, that puppy should not be bred. We are not dealing with a minor
genetic flaw; we are dealing with hip dysplasia-a trait that can only cause
pain and suffering to the dog. The LMX program is NOT based on theory. The
LMX program has the backing of facts proving it is a successful method in
ridding dogs of this painful condition!
The dedication to the LMX
program extends back to 1962, decades of genetic data gathering. Although
it is impossible to see that “shadow dog” in Tina and her breeders’ dogs,
they have a valid blueprint due to the knowledge of a vast amount of
ancestors and puppies born to their dogs. Since the Shiloh has entered the
Rare Breed world, a computer system as been designed that provides
information on dominant and recessive faults and virtues. The LMI program,
or Litter Mate Information, is only an extension to the original LMX program
that has been the key to reducing hip dysplasia in the Shiloh Shepherd.
 There are some key factors
that make this program effective, or ineffective if not completed
correctly. There can be no conclusions drawn from incomplete data. For
example, if a litter only has 3 puppies, all with good hips, the assumption
cannot be made that had the litter been larger there could have been pups
with bad hips. In such a case, it is vital to research the litter mates of
the parents of the three puppies. The progeny they produced will be helpful
to complete the data. Additionally, research into the siblings and
ancestors, preferably 7 generations, is the only way to complete the
genetic picture. Simply stated, the more genetic pieces one can collect,
the more the “shadow dog” can come to light.
Another key is quality
x-rays. If poor x-rays are sent to the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for
Animals)a perfectly healthy and genetically strong dog could be classified
“moderately” dysplastic. This misinformation can lead to excluding dogs
that have the potential to produce outstanding litters. Shilohs tend to
have a tendency toward mild subluxationat a young age. If this dog is
x-rayed a year later by a more proficient clinic ,he could certainly receive
a good OFA rating. Recent research with PennHip-developed at the University
of Pennsylvania Vetenary School, has proven this. This method takes x-rays
from a different position than OFA x-rays. Many dogs that have been
rejected by OFA have receive good ratings through this new system. Using
both systems will allow a better understanding of the dog’s true hip
quality. Documentation is paramount. In order to eliminate CHD guessing
cannot be an option. The collection of valid data not only protects from
poor genetics, but will protect an excellent dog from “falling by the
wayside” and not passing on quality genetic traits due to poor data.
In conclusion, the LMX
program helps remove the wondering of what genetics a dog may process but
are not visible. It goes far beyond mom and dad’s traits. It tracks traits
down through siblings and ancestors. It is thorough documentation in
tracing key genetics and has allowed breeders to expose that “shadow dog.”
The program can only be effective, however, if breeders and owners
participate in the program. Those who love the breed and want the continued
success of excellent hips must cooperate. Anyone wishing to purchase a
Shiloh Shepherd must do their research. The I.S.S.R breeders are committed
to this breed and do all they can to promote these amazing dogs. They
follow the strict guidelines set fourth by Tina and work as productive team
to maintain high standards for each and every dog. This cooperation in the
LMX program allows the I.S.S.R Shilohs to live a long and healthy life, free
from the crippling effects of hip dysplasia.
http://www.thedogplace.org/BREEDS/Shiloh-Shepherd/HipDysplasia-LMX-0607_Barber.asp
"It is better to prevent hip dysplasia through breeding and rearing wisely
than seek to eliminate it through x-ray." - BJ Andrews
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Page last updated Feb. 2011
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