CH Peperie Pop Star of Lenette

Minute

Breed: Pomeranian

Owned By: Peter Pettersen and Victoria Oelerich
Bred By: Kenneth Griffith
Handled By: Victoria Oelerich

In order to better understand the origin and manifestation of the diseases that affect Pomeranians it currently can only take the form of purposeful breeding programs, and dedication and due diligence in trying to avoid breeding pairs and pedigrees where such diseases have been apparent. That is the technique of today for our breed. In my opinion that tactic is not good enough. It is sloppy and not at all efficient. Just because a breeding pair are not demonstrating a disease you would like to avoid does not at all mean they are not carriers of the disease or even worse that the disease has just not manifested itself yet at the time of breeding. Utilizing genetic testing, many diseases are becoming identifiable and therefore avoidable prior to the selection of breeding pairs making it a far more effective tool in disease control.

DNA study and genetic testing are the direction science is now taking health care in humans as well as canines. It has brought health care and disease management into a whole new level of effectiveness. As breeders we are caretakers of our breeds, with that comes the responsibility of safeguarding the quality of their lives using whatever tools help us provide that. Learning more about the genetics and hereditability of diseases are the avenues now available to many breeds to help eradicate debilitating diseases.

The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) is the current forefront organization in disease and genetic research in canines. They are the board leaders in canine health concerns and the direction of the future. As dog lovers we are blessed to have such a collection of dedicated individuals serving our community trying to provide us with health answers and offering us genetic information and tools to help guide our breeding programs and change the course of canine health afflictions into the future.

The American Pomeranian Club is delighted to now be working with the CHF on 2 different studies that have a huge detrimental impact on our breed, Alopecia-X and tracheal collapse in the Pomeranian. We have great confidence in this organization and the researchers they partnership with and hold out great hope that within the near future they will help give us the genetic tools we need to hold these disabilities at bay. They are a blessing to the well being of dogs of all breeds.

Victoria Oelerich