Understanding true genetics is a very in-depth topic far and above the general population's comprehension, including mine!  However, for breeding purposes, learning just the basics allows me to understand which of my adult dogs to pair in order to eliminate the traits that I do not want my adults to pass on to their puppies. 

​

There are 9 traits that can be genetically tested for in a golden retriever. Here is a very basic explanation of how I know which adults I can safely breed together:

• Every dog is either a "clear", a "carrier" or an "affected" for each health issue. 

• Each puppy receives 2 copies of a gene, one from each parent.

• The different combinations of the 2 genes they inherit from their parents can have different outcomes.

• Clear means they do not even carry the health issue.

• Carrier means they carry the health issue but will not actually have it (its recessive). 

• Affected means they will be affected by the health issue. 

• In looking at the chart to the right, if the female is affected for ichthyosis (one of the tested for health issues), then she must be bred with a clear male for ichthyosis so that none of their puppies will be affected with ichthyosis. They will all be carriers, but none will be affected.

• Breeding for either clear or carrier puppies for any health issue is perfectly safe. I do not ever breed a litter where the puppies could potentially be affected by any given health issue.  Unfortunately, there are many health issues we cannot test for but it's irresponsible breeding to not at least test for the ones we can!

​​

This is why finding a breeder who does genetic testing on their adults is critical to your puppies future health!  If 2 parents are bred where genetics are unknown, then that breeder is potentially playing Russian roulette with their litters of puppies future health!!

​

​

​