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Ataxia in Amstaffs is an inherited neurological disease
which affects the cerebellum (in the brain). This is a
recessive disease, meaning that both parents must carry
and pass on a recessive gene
Symptoms can include wobbliness, not able to stand, walk
or jump correctly, tripping, falling, loss of coordination,
drunken staggering gait, and tilted head carriage. Affected
animals may not show any symptoms or may show all
symptoms so severely as to cause their death. Animals
may begin showing symptoms as early as 2 or three years
old or as late as 8 years old or older.
It is difficult to diagnose by observation as the symptoms
can mimic other known and treatable diseases. There is no
cure for Ataxia. Thankfully, there is a genetic test to
determine if an animal is clear, affected or a carrier.
This test was released to the public in September of 2008.
The test can be used to determine the genotype (genetic
makeup) of the animal for this specific disease and can be
utilized in a breeding program to ensure that no more
affected animals are produced.
An animal who tests clear or Normal Homozygous (AA)
does not have the disease and will not pass it on.
An animal who tests as a carrier or Heterozygous (Aa) will
not have the disease but can pass on the recessive gene
to 50% of its offspring.
An animal who tests as affected or Mutated Homozygous
(aa) will have the disease and will pass on the recessive
gene to 100% of its offspring.
By using a simple Punnett square (explained here) one is
able to determine what a breeding of two know genotypes
will produce. This information allows us to make better
decisions about our breeding stock.
Our goal here at AJC Kennels, is to never produce an
affected animal. We feel that no family should ever have to
deal with the heartache that is caused by this disease. We
also feel that to better the breed, it is best not to produce
dogs who can pass on unsound genetics.
We believe that responsible breeding means that we
preserve the genetic diversity in the breed. Therefore, we
will consent to breed animals that are carriers or affected
to clears only. This means that no further affected animals
will be produced while making sure that other qualities are
being passed on.
No bloodline is immune to this disease. Every known line
has an Ataxic dog somewhere in its line. This does not
mean the line is bad. Therefore, it makes no sense to "kill
off" a line just to get rid of the disease. Doing so would
"kill off" a lot of good to get rid of one bad part and would
reduce the Amstaff population too severely. The best
answer is careful breeding of known test results.
A Clear bred to a Clear will produce only Clears. No
disease.
A Clear bred to a Carrier will produce 50% Clear and 50%
Carrier. No disease.
A Clear bred to an Affected with produce 100% carriers. No
Disease.
This is our reasoning and our decision on the matter.
Please feel free to email me if you need more information.
Cardiac -
Testing the heart is a must in this breed! An animal with a
bad heart can not function properly and has a greater
chance of dying at an early age. A dog affected by heart
disease also has a greater chance at producing puppies
with heart disease.
Since we ask our dogs to preform in many areas such as
agility, conformation, and weight pull, we want to be sure
our dogs not only can survive such competitions but will
live long, healthy normal lives.
This is why we test our dogs hearts by echocardiography
preformed by a cardiologist so that we may be as certain
a possible that our dogs hearts are healthy.
Testing the heart is a must in this breed! An animal with a
bad heart can not function properly and has a greater
chance of dying at an early age. A dog affected by heart
disease also has a greater chance at producing puppies
with heart disease.
Since we ask our dogs to preform in many areas such as
agility, conformation, and weight pull, we want to be sure
our dogs not only can survive such competitions but will
live long, healthy normal lives.
This is why we test our dogs hearts by echocardiography
preformed by a cardiologist so that we may be as certain
a possible that our dogs hearts are healthy.
Ataxia in Amstaffs is an inherited neurological disease
which affects the cerebellum (in the brain). This is a
recessive disease, meaning that both parents must carry
and pass on a recessive gene
Symptoms can include wobbliness, not able to stand, walk
or jump correctly, tripping, falling, loss of coordination,
drunken staggering gait, and tilted head carriage. Affected
animals may not show any symptoms or may show all
symptoms so severely as to cause their death. Animals
may begin showing symptoms as early as 2 or three years
old or as late as 8 years old or older.
It is difficult to diagnose by observation as the symptoms
can mimic other known and treatable diseases. There is no
cure for Ataxia. Thankfully, there is a genetic test to
determine if an animal is clear, affected or a carrier.
This test was released to the public in September of 2008.
The test can be used to determine the genotype (genetic
makeup) of the animal for this specific disease and can be
utilized in a breeding program to ensure that no more
affected animals are produced.
An animal who tests clear or Normal Homozygous (AA)
does not have the disease and will not pass it on.
An animal who tests as a carrier or Heterozygous (Aa) will
not have the disease but can pass on the recessive gene
to 50% of its offspring.
An animal who tests as affected or Mutated Homozygous
(aa) will have the disease and will pass on the recessive
gene to 100% of its offspring.
By using a simple Punnett square (explained here) one is
able to determine what a breeding of two know genotypes
will produce. This information allows us to make better
decisions about our breeding stock.
Our goal here at AJC Kennels, is to never produce an
affected animal. We feel that no family should ever have to
deal with the heartache that is caused by this disease. We
also feel that to better the breed, it is best not to produce
dogs who can pass on unsound genetics.
We believe that responsible breeding means that we
preserve the genetic diversity in the breed. Therefore, we
will consent to breed animals that are carriers or affected
to clears only. This means that no further affected animals
will be produced while making sure that other qualities are
being passed on.
No bloodline is immune to this disease. Every known line
has an Ataxic dog somewhere in its line. This does not
mean the line is bad. Therefore, it makes no sense to "kill
off" a line just to get rid of the disease. Doing so would
"kill off" a lot of good to get rid of one bad part and would
reduce the Amstaff population too severely. The best
answer is careful breeding of known test results.
A Clear bred to a Clear will produce only Clears. No
disease.
A Clear bred to a Carrier will produce 50% Clear and 50%
Carrier. No disease.
A Clear bred to an Affected with produce 100% carriers. No
Disease.
This is our reasoning and our decision on the matter.
Please feel free to email me if you need more information.
Dysplasia -
A dog with either hip or elbow dysplaisa typically will not die
of this disease. It does however, diminish their quality of life
and can cost a lot of money for treatment and therapy.
For this reason do we test for both hip and elbow dysplasia.
We want our dogs to be healthy, live long lives free of pain,
and to prevent other families the heartache of dealing with
these diseases.
A dog with either hip or elbow dysplaisa typically will not die
of this disease. It does however, diminish their quality of life
and can cost a lot of money for treatment and therapy.
For this reason do we test for both hip and elbow dysplasia.
We want our dogs to be healthy, live long lives free of pain,
and to prevent other families the heartache of dealing with
these diseases.