Northern Inuit Health Testing
Current health testing required to be performed on any dog before a decision is made for him / her to be bred from and accepted to the Northern Inuits International Unleashed gene pool. Please note that these might change as a result of updates within the health records:
British Veterinary Association eye testing scheme
Tests cannot be performed on the dog / bitch under 1 year of age and the results have to be “clear” for all breeding dogs. Alternative equivalent testing schemes will be accepted as above.
Degenerative Myelopathy
If one of the parents is a carrier of this gene then the dog / bitch must be tested for this disease. Any resulting carriers have to be matched with other clear dogs / bitches. No carrier to carrier and carrier to affected mating will ever be permitted.
Oculoskeletal dysplasia
OSD3 mutation has to be tested for if any of the parents of the dog / bitch are carriers and any carriers have to be matched to a clear dog / bitch. No carrier to carrier and carrier to affected mating will ever be permitted.
British Veterinary Association hip and elbow scoring
Current average for the breed is 12 in total for hips and 0 for elbows. The dog / bitch cannot be younger than 1 year of age at the time of the x-rays being performed. If any dog / bitch is scored higher than the current breed average (or more than 8 on either side in terms of hips) then they will undergo an assessment from at least 3 members of NIIU committee as to whether they are suitable to be bred from, what they are contributing to the breeding strategy and their conformation to the breed standard. If approved, then a test mating will be performed and random selection of puppies tested under the BVA scheme. Please note that it is allowed for the dogs to be tested under equivalent international schemes, eg. FCI, Australian BVA or OFA.
In addition to the above, the below are health tests recommended and encouraged to be performed by the breeders:
Genetic profiling
All breeders are encouraged to perform a full genetic screening panel on their breeding dogs eg. through Embark, MydogDNA or other available genetic testing lab of their choice. Embark is a preferred provider due to the depth of testing and ability to extract the data into other programmes. If genetic profiling is performed then the results are required to be sent to the Committee and Health Officer for evaluation and addition to the pedigree database. These are fantastic tools and, when used alongside other health and pedigree information by the breeders, can really enhance the overall breeding decisions made and contribute to the gene pool management going forward.
Glaucoma eye test (Gonioscopy)
Breeders are encouraged, where possible, to perform gonioscopy testing on their dogs at least once through the dog’s life.
Annual eye testing
Breeders are encouraged to test their dogs annually (or before a mating takes place if more than a year has passed from the last eye test) to ensure there is no development of any new diseases through the dog’s life.
