vWd

[andyhilt27]

What would it take to breed vWd out of the Dobermans? Is it really that big of a concern? I see some breeders more concerned than others. I read some place that it would only take a few years to eliminate it if we only bred clears. Thoughts?

[Elaine]

People may expand on this, but short answer: I think most experienced breeders will tell you that vWD s not a big concern. I believe Mary Rogers (Marienburg Dobermans) once wrote that in all her years of breeding and owning Dobermans she’d seen one maybe two problems with vWD. I know of Vwd Affected dogs that have lived long full lives, they were cropped, docked... lived a normal life... being Affected had absolutely no negative impact on their lives what-so-ever. Personally I use the vWd status as a guideline so as not to double up with two affected dogs, but I would use a top quality vWd affected dog on a vWD clear bitch if the dog had the phenotype and pedigree we needed.

[tosca]

In the scheme of 'evils' vWD is a lesser evil - cancer, cardio, CVI - all are known killers and, in most cases - death sentences. vWD is not generally a death sentence.
Can it be bred out - yes, it can. Should it be - probably - however, the gene pool of vWD clear dogs is narrow and it is only one factor to consider when breeding.

[andyhilt27]

CVI....Another thread I will start! Cancer and cardio.....man we need help. I suppose as human related cardio and cancer treatments/genetic markers progress we as dog owners will benefit.