Rules, regulations, strategies and activities within the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) to promote canine genetic health.

The structure and aims of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) are outlined, with a focus on the rules and regulations that are relevant to breeding and genetic health of dogs. Recently adopted strategies to enhance canine genetic health and activities to counteract exaggerated anatomical features are highlighted. Actions by the FCI regarding recognition of breeds and doping rules, under direct control by cynological organisations, are included, based on their relevance to canine health.

Litter size at birth in purebred dogs--a retrospective study of 224 breeds.

Despite the long history of purebred dogs and the large number of existing breeds, few studies of canine litter size based upon a large number of breeds exist. Previous studies are either old or include only one or a few selected breeds. The aim of this large-scale retrospective study was to estimate the mean litter size in a large population of purebred dogs and to describe some factors that might influence the litter size. A total of 10,810 litters of 224 breeds registered in the Norwegian Kennel Club from 2006 to 2007 were included in the study. The overall mean litter size at birth was 5.4 (± 0.025). A generalized linear mixed model with a random intercept for breed revealed that the litter size was significantly influenced by the size of the breed, the method of mating and the age of the bitch. A significant interaction between breed size and age was detected, in that the expected number of puppies born decreased more for older bitches of large breeds. Mean litter size increased with breed size, from 3.5 (± 0.04) puppies in miniature breeds to 7.1 (± 0.13) puppies in giant breeds. No effect on litter size was found for the season of birth or the parity of the bitch. The large number of breeds and the detail of the registered information on the litters in this study are unique. In conclusion, the size of the breed, the age of the bitch and the method of mating were found to influence litter size in purebred dogs when controlling for breed, with the size of the breed as the strongest determinant.

A retrospective epidemiological study of clinical signs and familial predisposition associated with aseptic meningitis in the Norwegian population of Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers born 1994-2003.

Aseptic meningitis (AM) is a disease that causes grave clinical signs such as intensive neck pain, fever, and lethargy. The severity of this disease is reflected in the fact that affected animals require long-term, and in chronic cases, lifelong therapy with corticosteroids. A number of dogs must be euthanized because of therapeutic failure. In recent years, the Norwegian population of Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers has experienced an increase in individuals with AM. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of AM and to pursue the suspicion of hereditary factors influencing an accumulation of AM cases in the breed. Using the Norwegian Kennel Club registery, a random sample (362 dogs) stratified by year of birth was drawn from the total population born from 1994 to 2003 (1525 individuals). The owners were contacted and questioned about clinical signs of AM in their dogs. Subsequently, the practising veterinarians and the breeders of positive responders were contacted in order to confirm a clinical diagnosis of AM and to identify possible affected family members. Pedigrees of AM positive individuals and affected relatives were investigated. The study estimated a prevalence of AM of 2.5%. For all affected dogs, it was possible to trace the pedigree of both parents of affected dogs back to a specific founder dog. The genealogical investigation strongly indicates that genetic factors are involved in the etiology of the disease.

A new type of radiographic bone remodeling in the distal radial and ulnar metaphysis in 54 Newfoundland dogs.

In this longitudinal observational study, 118 growing Newfoundland dogs were followed with sequential radiographic examination of the right front limb, which were scheduled at ages 3, 4, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months to record evidence of skeletal changes. All affected dogs had evidence of changes at 6 months and dogs included in this study had radiographic examination at 6 months and at least two other scheduled examinations that included either 4 or 12 months. The dogs were privately owned and had individualized nutrition and environment with no maintenance protocol required by the project leaders. Irregularities in bone remodeling in the distal radius and ulna were seen in radiographs of 54 of 118 (45.8%) dogs. These irregularities differ from changes previously described in the Newfoundland dog. The reported irregularities were seen as islands of reduced opacity outlined by thickened, radiopaque osseous trabeculae, which were aligned with the axis of stress. All the 54 dogs with irregularities during some phase of development consistently had changes at 6 months of age. Reorganization of the changes in the bone was slow, and residual changes were visible at 18-24 months of age in many cases. The significance of these findings may lie in their potential for misinterpretation if they had been discovered in the presence of clinical signs such as any lameness or growth arrest. Radiographic appearance indicates disturbances in the bone maturation. The etiopathogenesis is unclear. Nutritional, environmental and genetic factors have to be studied.