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BernerGarde, an international, open health database for all Bernese. ALL RavenRidge dogs are included in this website, with extensive health information. Not sure how to use it? Try this link for a great tutorial: http://bmdinfo.org/bernerpedia/sheets/BernerGarde-Database_Overview.pdf. It's free and crucial to improving health in the future! |
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BMD Info--a great source for all information relating to berners. Many thanks to Pat Long and Ann Milligan! |
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BMDCA Info Series--concise information on most berner topics. |
Bernese Mt Dog DNA and Tissue Repository |
Bernese Mt Dog DNA and Tissue Repository, collects blood and tissue samples from berners affected with cancer and all types of suspected genetic disease. Also needed, are blood samples from healthy berners, to be used as 'control' dogs in research. The samples collected, along with the health and pedigree information in the Berner-Garde Database, will assist researchers who have been hampered in the past by the lack of samples. All RavenRidge puppies submit a DNA cheek swab (totally painless) before they go to their homes, and at 6 months, the owners are asked to submit a blood sample. Here's how to submit blood or tumor samples: http://cvm.msu.edu/research/the-bernese-mountain-dog-dna-and-tissue-repository-at-michigan-state-university/how-to-submit-samples . A huge thanks to our owners that have submitted! |
OFA xray techniques | An excellent video on understanding good quality xrays for evaluating hip dysplasia. All RavenRidge pups are xrayed and submitted to OFA for full litter data. |
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Merck Vet Manual--a great reference! |
2 genetic tests for degenerative myeolopathy (DM) | This is a reference chart for the 2 DM tests available for berners, and the compound heterozygous state. Currently, the only source to purchase the SOD1B test is GenSol. However, OFA just announced they will offer the SOD1B test for dogs that had previously submitted a SOD1A test through OFA. Use this form to process the request. For another excellent explanation of these tests, here's from GenSol's website: SOD1A and SOD1B DM tests explained
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2014 DM Research Paper | From University of Missouri, discusses a new DM mutation, SOD1B, found only in berners. This paper also has allelic frequency for SOD1A mutation by breed. In Bernese, 20% are carriers or at risk for SOD1B; and 38% are carriers or at risk for SOD1A. |

Antagene Pre-Histio genetic test | This may be the most important genetic testing tool for breeders, to reduce histiocytic sarcoma cancer (HS) in the future. One in six bernese will die from this cancer, and is believed to be, in part, inherited. Antagene, in partnership with Drs. Catherine Andre and Benoit Hedan, of the Institute of Genetics & Development of the CNRS at the University of Rennes, France, since 2005, have studied 3000+ European and American bernese, to develop this risk factor test. The RavenRidge breeding dogs that have completed this test, have their results on this website and BernerGarde. Doing the pre-histio test, openly sharing the results, and ultimately sharing the cause of death with our berners that pass, will best support further research to improve the accuracy. |