Stocklore Top Spot (Topper)
Black spotted, bilateral hearing
Normal uric acid level, male, photo at 7 weeks
Awarded Best of Winners at UKC Premier Show, 19 June 1999
Genetic Defect "High Uric Acid" Corrected in One Strain of Dalmatian Dogs
Each breed of dog, like nearly every human family, has its own set of genetic defects or genetic predispositions to disease. For Dalmatian dogs, the primary disorders are high levels of uric acid in the blood and urine, unilateral or bilateral deafness and atopic dermatitis or hives.
Humans and the great apes normally excrete uric acid in the urine, rather than degrade it to allantoin, like most other species of mammals, including dogs. Humans may suffer from gout when blood levels of uric acid are too high. The uric acid crystallizes in the joints which then become inflamed. Uric acid also crystallizes in the urine and may form kidney and bladder stones. The canine kidney is more efficient than the human kidney in excreting uric acid from the bloodstream. Therefore, Dalmatians do not develop gout, but the high levels of uric acid in the urine predispose them to kidney and bladder stones of the urate type.
No purebred Dalmatian dogs are known to degrade uric acid to allantoin except for the strain described herein. Trimble and Keeler (1938) crossed Dalmatians to Collies and through appropriate subsequent crosses determined that the genetic defect in Dalmatians was an autosomal, recessive trait. Schaible (1986) confirmed the genetic interpretation in similar crosses except that the Dalmatian was crossed with an English Pointer. English Pointers have much the same origin as Dalmatians and thus differ by fewer characteristics than other breeds. When the hybrids of the cross were backcrossed to purebred Dalmatians, they produced normal and high uric acid offspring in a 1:1 ratio. The normal offspring of that generation and subsequent generations were backcrossed to purebred Dalmatians and continued to produce the same 1:1 ratio as expected from Mendelian laws of genetics.
The English Pointer was only one of 32 ancestors in the fifth generation of the pedigree of progeny from the fourth backcross. Two of these progeny which were now 31/32 or 97% Dalmatian were registered in 1981 by the American Kennel Club (AKC) with the approval of the Board of the Dalmatian Club of America (DCA). However, about 50% of the membership of the DCA did not approve of the registrations. The disapproving faction submitted a petition requesting that the AKC cancel the registrations. The AKC responded by placing a hold on the registrations of any progeny of the backcross Dalmatians. That action is still in effect. A discussion of these events can be found on the last page of the feature article of The Atlantic, March 1990.
Descendants of one of the backcross Dalmatians that was registered by the AKC have been registered by the United Kennel Club (UKC). The UKC promotes utility and companion qualities as much as conformation through their emphasis on the "Total Dog". Only family members or friends can handle dogs in the conformation ring. No professional handling is allowed. Backcrossing to AKC Dalmatians has continued through four more generations (511/512 or 99.8% Dalmatian). The only apparent difference between current backcross Dalmatians and AKC Dalmatians is that 50% of the former do not have the defect in uric acid metabolism. See attached photos of two of our Dalmatians, "Opie" and "Topper" that have normal levels of uric acid for the canine species and bilateral hearing as determined by brain-stem auditory-evoked response testing.
The UKC began offering its premier all-breed conformation shows in 1994 in Michigan; the1997 shows were the centennial celebration of the founding of the UKC. At these premier shows, five backcross Dalmatians from three different generations have won at least one best female or best male award over Dalmatians that were double registered (AKC/UKC). Opie and his dam, "Budgette", have both defeated AKC champions in these shows. Five backcross Dalmatians testing normal uric acid have completed UKC championships.
From 1982 to1990 backcross Dalmatians were also bred in California by Holly J. Nelson, DVM and her mother, Jean L Nelson, at their Forrest Kennels. Joanne Nash, Rambler Kennels, Los Altos, was co-breeder. Both Holly and Jean are now deceased. Some of the descendants of their backcross Dalmatians can still be found in Arizona, California , Indiana and Utah. Opie was sired by a dog bred at Forrest Kennels and owned by Linda Parlier, Lidgate Kennels, Bakersfield. Because of his sire's origin at Forrest Kennels and a nine-generation history of collection of urine samples from entire litters for analysis, Opie was named Stocklore Forrest Can O'Pee.
One litter of backcross Dalmatians is usually bred each year at our Stocklore Kennels in Indiana. A few matings have been between parents both of which had normal uric acid levels but most litters are still produced by backcrosses to high quality AKC Dalmatians. Hearing of each ear of all puppies is tested by brain-stem, auditory-evoked response (BAER), the same procedure that is used for testing infant children. We have data that indicate that a gene for deafness may be located on the same chromosome as the gene for the uric acid defect, but we do not have enough data to be conclusive. We select for healthy coats, but have found skin problems among normal as well as high uric acid progeny of backcrossed Dalmatians. We welcome inquires for puppies, stud service and/or information.
Bob and Cathy Schaible
Phone: 812-876-9884
9142 N. Buskirk Road
E-mail: bcschaible@smithville.net
Gosport, IN 47433
Member: Dalmatian Club of
America
Champion Stocklore Forrest Can O'Pee (Opie)
Black spotted, bilateral hearing,
Normal uric acid level, male
Shown winning Champion of Champions class at age 3
UKC Premier All-Breed Show, 31 May 1998
Also Best of Breed, UKC Premier Show, 19 June 1999
References:
Schaible, R.H. 1982 Animal model of syndrome characterized by piebaldism and sensorineural deafness. American Journal of Human Genetics 34 (no. 6): 156A
Schaible, R. H. 1986. Genetic predisposition to purine uroliths in Dalmatian dogs. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice 16:127-131
Trimble, H. C. & C. E. Keeler, 1938. The inheritance
of "high uric acid excretion" in dogs. Journal of Heredity
29:280-289