About DNA

For parentage verification

The DNA profile is the ultimate in individual identification and offers a 'tamper-proof' means of identity.
The profile need only be produced once and the DNA sample used to produce it can be stored as a permanent DNA record throughout the dog's life. Identification could be essential in a number of instances.
For example, the availability of a profile could be used to identify an animal that may have been lost or stolen, and subsequently recovered.
The profile could also be used to check the authenticity of a DNA sample being used to screen for the presence of disease-causing genes.
Many such tests are being developed and it would be invaluable to be able to verify that the correct dog's DNA is being tested for the presence of the deleterious gene. In the case it’s parents have bove been tested clear for a genetic mutation.
The dog will be without doubt clear by parentage. Repeating the DNA profile on the same sample of DNA being used to carry out the gene test would be straightforward and prove conclusively that the correct animal is being tested.
They do not tell about inherited traits, diseases or breed make-up.

DNA testing for disease

At the moment Leonberger DNA tests are available for:

  • LPN1
  • LPN2
  • LPPN3
  • LEMP

You can have the DNA test done via your veterinarian at a laboratory of your choice. If your veterinarian wants to take a DNA sample to be used for the mandatory DNA parentage test, it is important to meet the following requirements:

  • The veterinarian (or laboratory) must provide the correct materials to extract, store and send the DNA in a sealed envelope to an accredited laboratory (ISO17025).
  • The veterinarian will check the identity (microchip) of the dog before taking the sample, and will provide a document in which they state having done so.
  • The DNA profile has to meet the ISAG2006 requirements.
When you have the test done by either Bern or Minnesota, not only will you receive a test result, but your sample will also contribute to further research of leonberger health.

DNA BIO bank.

Europe: Blood samples for future genetic research projects can be archived free of charge at the University of Bern. If you would like to contribute a sample of your animal for their archive, please follow these instructions: http://www.genetics.unibe.ch/unibe/portal/fak_vetmedizin/c_dept_dcr-vph/h_inst_genetics/content/e20922/e206310/files206313/Probeneinsendeformular_Hund_allgemein_e_2016June15_eng.pdf
The advantage for you as owner is that anytime you want a DNA test done, the bloodsample is already stored and you don’t need to send another sample!

USA/Canada: you can donate a DNA sample of your dog for research purposes with OFA: https://www.ofa.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/chic_dnabankapp_main.pdf

DLA Haplotyping.

In dogs, the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is called the Dog Leukocyte Antigen (DLA) and the portions of interest are the Class II genes which consist of three genes (named DRB1, DQA1 and DQB1).
Every dog has two sets of these DLA genes, one from the sire and one from the dam.
These genes may contain a number of different alleles.
In dogs there have been found 172 different DRB1 alleles, 34 DQA1 alleles and 99 DQB1 alleles (as of 2012).
This may seem like a lot, but the three genes are inherited as a group from each parent so there are limited pairings of these alleles.
We call these pairings haplotypes. The number of haplotypes in each breed is limited, sometimes very limited.

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