Based on Embark-tested Cavalier King Charles Spaniels that have opted into research, here’s a snapshot of the breed today: Therefore, breeding decisions cannot be made solely based on this breed variant. Many dog breeds, due to human selection for a desired appearance (phenotype), have a high frequency of this variant in the FGF4 retrogene, meaning most or all Frenchies have at least one copy of the variant.

The gene is FGF4, and the mode of inheritance is dominant. However, this particular variant is the only one known also to increase the risk for IVDD. There are multiple different variants that can cause a markedly chondrodystrophic appearance, as observed in Dachshunds and Corgis. Chondrodystrophy (CDDY) refers to the relative proportion between a dog’s legs and body, wherein the legs are shorter and the body longer.

This pressure on the spinal cord causes neurologic signs ranging from pain to a wobbly gait to paralysis. With Type I IVDD, affected dogs can have an event where the disc ruptures or herniates towards the spinal cord. Type I Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is a back or neck issue affecting the discs that act as cushions between vertebrae (the spine bones). Chondrodystrophy and Intervertebral Disc Disease, CDDY/IVDD, Type I IVDD These are the most common genetic conditions based on Embark data, ranked from most to least prevalent in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, with less than 95% of dogs testing clear. Common genetic health risk factors <95% clear rate While we are not able to provide specific population numbers at this time, we believe the data provided here to be sufficient to inform on current trends within the North American population of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The health condition percentages based on clear, carrier, and at-risk status presented on common, rare, and very rare genetic risk factors are based on a subset of dogs within the Embark database and do not necessarily represent all dogs of this breed.

This handy search function by breed or health condition can show breeders which DNA tests Embark provides.Įmbark DNA tests for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel include the following conditions. Breeders also need to know which variants are causing health concerns in their breed and which health conditions currently have no genetic test available. When u sing genetic health testing, breeders need to educate themselves about concepts such as modes of inheritance, penetrance, prevalence, and phenotype for a specific variant in their breed to apply test results. Genetic health testing is an integral part of a responsible dog breeding program. Breeders can easily share breed-specific DNA test results on parents or puppies with the one-page DNA Health Summary report with Embark test results. Embark for Breeders offe rs five breed-specific genetic health tests for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel among the 250+ genetic health conditions for which Embark tests.

Cavalier king charles spaniels rescue