DNA profiling can be carried out cheaply and easily through the Kennel Club utilising a simple cheek swab. The profile gives the individual dog's alleles for at least 18 microsatellite sites. Since a dog inherits half of its DNA from its Sire and half from its Dam if, for example, marker one shows the sire as 100/104 and the dam as 102/108 the alleles of the offspring could be 100/102, 100/108, 102/104 or 104/108.

A DNA profile is simply a biological 'microchip' - it uniquely identifies any particular dog. The profile cannot be used for any other purpose such as identifying disease carriers or specific traits such as colour or size.

However in a breed with a very limited gene pool such as the Cesky Terrier, by using the information from the DNA Profile a breeder can select a sire that will increase heterozygosity in the subsequent litter. This is a more successful approach to the problem of maintaining genetic diversity than by 'out-crossing' to a dog that has no close relatives over three or even five generations, but that may, in fact, be genetically almost identical to the dam.

By utilising the information in the profile we can compare the genetic make-up of different dogs and, whenever possible, choose a mating that offers the possibility of some genetic diversity.

By comparing values at each point on the profile we can see how the genetic make-up of dogs differs. Cesky Terriers all have very similar profiles – even the different ‘lines’ cannot be distinguished. The very smallest amounts of diversity are important in this breed.

Utilising DNA profiling gives the breeder the choice both of increasing homozygosity in order to cement breed type, and of introducing genetic variation into an already homozygous line. Thus profiling is a simple means of maintaining genetic diversity whilst still maintaining breed type.

As part of its ongoing commitment to breed health the Cesky Terrier Club is building up a DNA database which will be freely available to all breeders.

For more details of the Cesky Terrier Genetic Diversity Project please contact ceskyterrier.co.uk

You can order a profiling kit from the Kennel Club

Important
Write 'Please release profile to Cesky Terrier Genetic Diversity Project' on the bottom line of the form.

CESKY TERRIERS THAT HAVE BEEN DNA PROFILED
Dogs:
Duffy du Champ d'Eole avec Polede
Grancek Illya
Knize Kyle Lastarean
Komidion Mahler
Lastarean Darebak
Lastarean Dufek
Lastarean Putovani
Nordham Singing The Blues
Oneva Demon Malsville
Oneva Eduard Malsville
Polede Lforluka
Ridley Kanec
Ridley Mirek Malsville
Ridley Tomas
Twister Kvitko Komidion
Vandell Sweet Music
Woodstrode Artus
Woodstrode Drak of Kohima

Bitches:
Abba Melina Bohemica
Alaska Day Break
Cassencarrie Czechout at Veltrusy
Cristyna of Cesky Dreams
E'French Connection du Champ d'Eole
Gloria Kvitko
Komidion Jacara
Komidion Vandell Candy Girl
Kralovna Kvitko
Lastarean Afera
Lastarean Kama
Oneva Dolly at Woodstrode
Pendevour Pheelthemusic
Ridley Iza
Ridley Jitka at Woodstrode
Ridley Milenka
Ridley Obroda
Ridley Oslava
Ridley Pamatka
Rossau Daydream Believer
Rossau Time Will Tell At Kilbarchan
Rylandson Candy Carousel
Rylandson Candy Twist
Talyot Camille
Vandell Honey Belle
Vandell Sweet Song
Woodstrode Carevna Ridley
Woodstrode Cesmina
Woodstrode Elba of Kohima
Woodstrode Eliska