DanBar Ranch
What YOU NEED To Know About Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DCM TESTING BEFORE BUYING A DOBERMAN!
Science is self-correcting – which is what makes it work! There is no “dogma” which cannot be corrected. Because of this, new knowledge can build on old knowledge, always leading to more and better results. There is no room for “ego” – only correction and improvement.
Dilated Cardio Myopathy (DCM) is a terribly complex disease which kills approximately 65% of all Dobermans worldwide. Some think the breed will go extinct. Others keep working with available science to make the healthiest breedings possible while waiting for more advances. I believe science will give us real progress toward predicting DCM in the next decade.
THE BAD NEWS:
Some years ago a Dr. Kate Meurs and colleagues at North Carolina State identified mutations in two independent genes that they felt were associated with dilated cardiomyopathy, leading them to believe they had found a way to predict DCM. They developed two tests, DCM 1 and DCM 2 for Doberman owners. But as time passed, subsequent European studies discovered that these tests did NOT have correlation with Dobermans of European ancestry. As well, no European Universities could replicate Dr. Meurs’ results.
Today we know that DCM 1 and 2 testing has been of no use to breeders of European Dobermans. Today, in 2024, there is no reason to test for DCM 1 and 2 in European Dobermans – the results mean nothing. However, no breeder should ever regret supporting ANY research that might prove helpful in the fight against DCM. While it ultimately proved to be of no use within the European population of Dobermans, it did show good faith on the part of breeders who supported the research and helped, ultimately, to prove that it was not conclusive. That’s how science works.
THE GOOD NEWS!
Happily, several European Universities have been sharing results on new tests – called DCM 3 and DCM 4 - and the results are promising. Published (2023), the Doberman DCM study represents the culmination of 20 years of scientific research on Dobermans. Over 540 Dobermans were included in the study. Genome-wide SNP array genotyping was performed identifying a statistically significant association between DCM and two regions on canine chromosome 5. Importantly, this finding replicates a previous study of DCM in Dobermans in Germany and the UK, adding credibility and confidence to the chromosome 5 association.
While the European DCM 3 and 4 tests ARE NOT CONCLUSIVE (due to the complexity of the disease) they offer THE BEST PREDICTIVE test available to Doberman owners today. IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPORTANT THAT ANY ETHICAL EUROPEAN DOBERMAN BREEDER screen their Dobermans at this time.
DCM3 is associated with less overall risk, but follows a dominant inheritance pattern, with increased risk associated with one or two copies of the risk variant. This means that the best test result is 0 mutations while the worst is 2 mutations. However, dogs with just 1 mutation are still at risk due to it being a “dominant” gene and NOT needing 2 mutations to cause the disease.
DCM4 is associated with greater risk of DCM development, but follows a recessive inheritance pattern, in which increased risk is associated only with dogs carrying two copies of the risk variant in the absence of DCM3. The VERY best test result is 0 mutations for DCM 4 while also having 0 mutations for DCM 3. The next best would be 1 DMC 4 mutation with 0 DCM 3 mutations. Highest risk is 2 mutations on DCM 4 as well as 1 or 2 mutations on DCM 3.
In the words of the Finnish University team which developed these tests, “while not completely predictive, our results illustrate the significant risk genotypes and could after thorough validation, be utilized for excluding dogs at the highest risk from the breeding pool, resulting in significantly improved animal health and welfare.”
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NOTICE: I no longer list results for DCM 1 and 2 tests as they have been proven to be useless in European Dobermans. However ALL my Dobermans are tested for DCM 3 and 4 as well as yearly echocardiograms and HOLTER tests.
MAKE SURE THE BREEDER YOU ARE BUYING FROM TESTS FOR DCM 3 and 4! No excuses!
I am proud to announce that my pure working line bitches, Maulie and Demanet, have zero mutations on their DCM 3 and 4 tests, as well, the bitch pictured below, Lady Liberty, who is out of Lance (Czech import working line) and Ice Cold Katie (European show line) also has zero mutations for DCM 3 and 4. Liberty is an example of my first generation work-show hybrid dogs, keeping the stature and looks of the show line while improving the heart health with the working line. She will be an important part of my continuing breeding program.
There are currently only two companies offering DCM 3 and 4 tests in the USA. Breeders or owners wishing to test their dogs can obtain tests from:
(be aware ONLY the "Optimal" test offers these tests.
