Time for pedigree Canaan dog breeders to get serious about genetic health.

As one of the few kennel club breeds still open to new dogs being added it is vital to check such new additions for all known possible genetic health issues before breeding them. If breeders do not do that then they could be adding to the overall problems in the future which could then be difficult to remove. Some of these potential problems increase the chances of a dog developing problems but may not cause a problem in every dog even if it has both copies of the gene. Surely prevention is better than a cure but why take a chance? 

 Intervertebral Disc Disease (Type I)

This has rarely been found in Canaan dogs, but it is present. This is not yet recognized as a problem, and it may be that when it got into the breed testing was not available. Now we do know about it and is still not too late to track it down and eliminate it.  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. Embark uses linkage testing for this so positive result should be checked using specific tests. If confirmed, then having a dog checked by a vet who finds no sign of this problem does not mean the DNA test is wrong. The issue mainly shows up in dogs with a long body and short legs, such as Dachshunds so again may not show up in dogs of other morphotypes.

Looking back at pedigree records this could have come from any of a number of dogs including, Ben Yarden Me Dlbaan Jimi, Pereh Me Nachal Yealem, Mocha Givat Har Adar, Keliv El Kashhar, Zahava El Kashar, V'Makole de Solemel, Lilo Me Shaar Hagai, Bayud Bedoui Me Tel Arad, U'nes Ha Bedouim de Solemel, Tihelah de Solemel, or Tofee Me Shaar Hagai. That is eleven dogs that could be the origin of this, some of which are probably no longer alive but could have passed this gene on to any number of offspring. So where to start? 

For the dog we know has both copies both parents, Noked Me Shaar Hagai and Angie od Dvou cedru,  must have carried at least one copy, so if breeders want to nip this in the bud they should ideally not be used for any further breeding and all their offspring, if intended to be used for breeding, tested with the aim of not breeding any positive dogs from these. Where did these 2 get it from? Potentially Or Ve-Tel Me Shaar Hagar and Toot Bar (at least one of which must carry it) and Chakede de Solemel and Chanyah de Solomel (at least one of which must carry it. Depending on results of testing these dogs breeders could then go further back to trace the potential presence of this gene in other ancestors and any of their pups intended for breeding. Complicated? Yes. A lot of work? Yes, but do breeders really want to ensure the Canaan breed does not end up with avoidable problems. 

This gene has not shown up yet in any of the "Arabian village dogs" (a small number of which were used to establish the Canaan breed) I have seen, but of course it and others are probably there in small numbers. It is essential that any new dogs brough into the Canaan breed, be fully tested before even being considered as additions. Breeders have the tools available today that Menzel did not have. Why not use them?