Yukonjak's Seal of Distinction and Yukonjak's Ernie - Ooky and Ernie - recieved three more passing grades, each, for health certifications! Ernie had what will probably be his last thyroid check (registered this time), the new dentition certification (that the dog has the correct number of teeth), and his patellas cleared. Ooky went too and also recieved her dentition, thyroid and patella certification, as well! Last thing to do with Ms Ooky is spay her, have her hips done again, to compare to OVC from five years ago, and take all three dogs in for new CERFs this Summer. Tinker's CERF (eyes) is valid until August 2012 since I'm breeding her. Each dog has had: Hips, elbows, eyes, heart, patellas, dentition, thyroid and degenerative myelopathy certification - in addition to donating some DNA for future research for the breed, recieved their CHD certification through the Aust Club. Another DNA test - for polyneuropathy in Alaskan Malamutes - should be available May 2012 - and they will all be tested for that, as well. 'PN' as we call it, is an extremely debilitating disease - and completely preventable IF both parents are tested and proven clear. If however a dog 'carries' or is 'affected' then it can actually be bred safely as long as to a 'clear' - which is why it is important to know the status of as many dogs as possible. Unlike OFA certfications, DNA certifications can very, very quickly elliminate the disease.
Just for reference, Ernie's mother is Ooky's grandmother (and Tinker's great-grandmother). The original Yukonjak dogs (mostly Bearpaw and SkyFyre) are in all my dogs, multiple times - especially in Ernie. Cascade's Sabre Bear (mostly Williwaw/Targhee and very old Wakon) is Ooky's grandfather - and Ernie's great-grandfather (although Ernie is older than Ooky) - and ultimately Tinker's great-grandfather. And, the Snowlion in Ooky and Tinker, is obviously heavily related to the original Yukonjak dogs as both began with Sky Fyre, a working kennel (who showed, too).
So, if you have three generations, as heavily related as I do, clearly the smart choice is to test all of them, if you are breeding from any of them. Fortunately, all three have many, many working dogs from the few working kennels out there (Sky Fyre, Snowlion, Storm Kloud, Strawberry Mtn, etc) and anyone who works their dogs, doesn't want 'sick things' on a trail or pulling ...
Just for reference, Ernie's mother is Ooky's grandmother (and Tinker's great-grandmother). The original Yukonjak dogs (mostly Bearpaw and SkyFyre) are in all my dogs, multiple times - especially in Ernie. Cascade's Sabre Bear (mostly Williwaw/Targhee and very old Wakon) is Ooky's grandfather - and Ernie's great-grandfather (although Ernie is older than Ooky) - and ultimately Tinker's great-grandfather. And, the Snowlion in Ooky and Tinker, is obviously heavily related to the original Yukonjak dogs as both began with Sky Fyre, a working kennel (who showed, too).
So, if you have three generations, as heavily related as I do, clearly the smart choice is to test all of them, if you are breeding from any of them. Fortunately, all three have many, many working dogs from the few working kennels out there (Sky Fyre, Snowlion, Storm Kloud, Strawberry Mtn, etc) and anyone who works their dogs, doesn't want 'sick things' on a trail or pulling ...