Birmingham & District Dobermann Club

Dobermann Breed Health Co-ordinator annual update

 

RKC spinal survey

We know that Wobblers is prevalent in Dobes. The RKC are conducting a survey to improve understanding of spinal problems affecting breeds. I would encourage you to participate. You can find the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/spinalBHC.

Genetic diversity

The RKC have carried out a massive project analysing genetic diversity in each breed population. I have just received the final report on Dobermanns, which is very complex. Some of the findings for Dobes are fairly predictable, eg that imports are increasing, and that coefficient of inbreeding (COI) has been dropping since 2008, after increasing for many years previously. Other results are perhaps more surprising, eg that only 8.8% of British-born Dobes are used in breeding, and that show Dobe pups (classified as ones with at least one parent with a stud book number) declined from 30% to 20% between 1990 and 2022. Litter sizes increased from 6 to 7.3 during that period (probably due to better vet care and nutrition). Litter size decreases as COI increases. Show litters have an average COI 50% higher than non-show Dobes. The report notes that “it should be noted that … popular sires may be decreasing the genetic diversity in the breed”.

DCM

As most people know, at present we can only test for the existing presence of DCM; there are no predictive tests. This is why annual testing is so essential, because it can identify damage to the heart before there are any symptoms. There are two benefits to identifying DCM early (ie in its occult phase): first, it can avoid breeding from affected dogs, and secondly, starting the dog on medication before there are symptoms can give it several extra years of active, healthy life.

As you probably know, Welsh Dobermann Club and SE England Dobermann Club used to hold annual biomarker tests at their championship shows. Now that these shows are held alongside general champ shows, that’s not possible. SEEDC are holding testing at their double open show in September. Martin Sharp of SEEDC and I are looking at the possibility of standalone biomarker clinics going forward.

Lisa Webb is looking into the possibility of an echo clinic in Gloucestershire. Watch Facebook for more information.

DCM – possible new early tests

There are two experimental projects starting in 2026, both of which have approached the Dobermann community to assist. The easy one to explain is by Dr David Connolly at the Royal Vet College (RVC), which whom we have worked before. David’s project is specifically to do with early diagnosis of arrhythmogenic DCM (ie resulting in sudden death) and we need some affected dogs and some recently tested clear to go to the RVC on the same day for a cheek swab. I may be able to arrange a reduced-price echo on the same day. I will be in touch via the usual Facebook pages with logistical information on this.
 

The other project is more complex to explain. This is a company called miRNA Diagnostics, who are developing early diagnosis tools based on micro RNA assays. They say, “the benefit of having microRNAs for cardiac disease indicate that they will be able to pick up disease earlier than current biomarkers and help with staging. This should enable better management and treatment to start earlier in some cases. In addition, these new biomarkers are likely be able to monitor response to treatment and predict the progression of disease. Together this is helping us to develop precision medicine on a patient-by-patient basis, which is revolutionary.” This process could potentially also be used for early diagnosis of other diseases. As this requires a blood sample, which can only be collected when blood is being taken for other purposes, it will probably work best when dogs are having biomarker testing. miRNA are currently working out the logistics of this.

Lymphoma

I have put a post on FB on the types of lymphoma and their symptoms, which will hopefully lead to some dogs having earlier diagnosis. Let me know if you want a copy by email. There have been a couple of developments, neither of which is sadly available in the UK yet. The first is a diagnostic test from IDEXX that only needs a blood test, rather than the very invasive current diagnostics. The other is a new treatment that is now licensed in the USA and slows progression of the disease at least slightly. I will monitor both of these in case there is a chance of availability in the UK.

vWD testing

If you carry out vWD tests, please check whether the company you use automatically sends the result to the KC, and send it on yourself if not (email as above). We really do need good records on this. Also, I’ve noted recently some FB posts that don’t seem to understand that it’s OK to breed from a carrier as long as the other parent is clear. It’s worth correcting that if we hear it stated.

A word of thanks

There are many people behind the scenes who are working to improve dobe health. I’d like to mention especially Alison Godfrey and Jenny  & Martin Sharp, who organise the SEEDC biomarker testing; and Lisa Webb and Emma Edwards, who organise echo scan days.

Sue Thorn, Breed Health Co-ordinator
 

suejthorn@yahoo.co.uk
March 2026

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