Regole di allevamento
Breeding regulations of the association “Amerikanische Collies Europa e.V.“ (AC e.V.) - American Collies Europe
I. Purpose of breeding
Purpose of the association "American Collies Europe e.V." (hereinafter referred to as AC e.V.) is the preservation and promotion of the American Collie in Europe, according to the American breed standard, with its appearance, special nature, characteristics, variety of colors and size, while promoting health values and genetic diversity at the same time.
II. Organization of the breeding register
1. Studbook office
The stud book office of the AC e.V. association is managed by the breed manager (stud book leader, head of the breeding board). The breeding manager is elected by the general meeting. The breed manager is a member of the board of the "Amerikanische Collies Europa e.V." association. He leads the stud book. The stud book office centrally records all relevant breeding data of the AC e.V. association, such as e.g. kennels, breeders, stud dog owners, breeding bitches, stud dogs, litters. The individual dogs are registered with all relevant data, such as full pedigree name, ancestors, stud book and chip numbers, date of birth, gender, hair type, color, DNA profile number, health values, title as well as the name and address of the breeder and the name and address of the owner including contact details. Dates of mating, birth dates of litters are recorded as well as the entire litter size, including all living and possibly stillborn or later deceased puppies, plus any peculiarities and abnormalities of individual puppies and the mother dog. The studbook office creates, among other things, pedigrees and breeding statistics, records and checks breeding applications, mating and litter reports as well as litter inspections and cares for international protection of kennel names at the umbrella association.
2. Breeding commission
The breeding commission is constituted of the breed manager, the breed warden and the breed warden candidates as well as the 1st and 2nd chairmen plus one representative each for stud dog and one for breeders. All are committed to regular further education. Regular meetings and information exchanges take place, this can also be done electronically. Members interested in becoming a breed warden candidate can apply to the breed manager and if approved by the breeding commission, become a memberit. After acquiring the specialist knowledge, they are appointed breed ward by the breed manager.
The data recorded by the stud book office are evaluated by the breeding commission and breeding strategies are developed. Criteria e.g. for breeding licenses and litter control are checked and if necessary altered or complemented. The breeding commission makes suggestions for changes and additions to the breeding regulations. These are then presented at the general meeting, which decides by majority on acceptance or rejection. The breeding commission is also authorized to make short-term changes to the breeding regulations, which are then put to the vote at the next regular general meeting.
The breeding commission supports advanced training, courses and conferences on training and further education in breeding. It advises breeders, stud dog owners and kennels. It also checks whether participation in current research studies is reasonable and issues appropriate recommendations. It checks whether all requirements for a breeding license of breeding candidates are met and then decides by majority on their breeding confirmation. The breeding commission can decide by majority on restrictions in breeding use, even retrospectively, if e.g. the offspring of a breeding bitch or stud dog increasingly show defects that exclude breeding or questionable hereditary factors come to light. The breeding commission maintains lists of recognized specialized evaluation centers for X-ray reports (GRSK), specialized eye examinations (DOK/ECVO/ACVO) and evaluations from high-quality laboratories as well as for central dog registers. It regularly creates and revises all forms, applications, approvals, reports, control sheets, certifications and examination documents necessary for breeding, according to the requirements of the breeding regulations.
3. Breed warden
The breed manager assigns the breed warden with the tasks of kennel and litter control according to the breeding regulations. These inspections and approvals are documented on special forms and forwarded immediately to the studbook office. Every peculiarity and anomaly has to be noted.
III. Breeders and stud dog owners
Certified breeders of the AC e.V. stand for high-quality breeding, following the motto “quality over quantity”. New breeders must first demonstrate or acquire a good specialist knowledge in order to obtain a preliminary kennel of the AC e.V.. provisional recognition of the breeding facilities. All breeders and stud dog owners are required to undergo regular training to constantly expand their knowledge and to bring it up to date or to remain so. Everyone who wants to breed at the AC e.V. has to register with the stud book office. Prospective breeders and stud dog owners must be of legal age and a member of the "American Collies Europe e.V." association. Every breeder and stud dog owner are obliged to keep their own breeding or stud book. The templates from the stud book office of the "American Collies Europe" association can also be used as a supplement. Breeders and stud dog owners are obliged to meet all requirements of the breeding regulations on time and without being asked to do so. All data must always be forwarded immediately (also) electronically to the stud book office.
IV. Kennels
Breeding facilities that breed in accordance with the guidelines of the AC e.V. receive the special award of "Certified Kennel of American Collies Europe" (Amerikanische Collies Europa e.V.). We have designed a plaque for this purpose that breeders can put on their website. All dogs in a household must live in a breed-appropriate manner with their owners in the living area, with appropriate outlets during the day (enough walks, garden, etc.). Kennel keeping is not permitted. Of course, in addition to water always being available, regular, sufficient, high-quality feeding, care and health care must also be guaranteed. At the end of the pregnancy, the bitch must be provided with a separate, quiet area in the living area that is sufficiently illuminated by daylight and kept at a temperature of at least 18°C (preferably a little higher).The whelping box set up there must be 2 - 3 m² in size. A heat lamp or mat must be able to be provided to be used when necessary. As the puppies grow, their range of activity increases, and the size of the run is gradually adjusted to suit their needs. At the age of four weeks, the indoor run must be expanded to at least 7.5m². With five weeks of age at latest, the puppies need to be able to access an outdoor enclosure at least once a day, which must be at least 12m² and starting at 6 weeks at least 24m². The older the puppies get the more time they should spend outdoors, up to several hours a day if weather conditions permit. The puppies must be able to protect themselves from strong sunlight, rain and moisture. For this purpose, a protected area of at least 2.5m² (or better larger) is required, to offer enough space for the bitch and her puppies. Everything must be set up in such a way that no dog can injure itself. If the laws and regulations of the individual states and regions or the responsible authorities require larger areas, these must be complied with. Both inside and outside, the surfaces should be of as many different textures as possible (e.g. grass, plates, sand, tiles, laminate, etc.); hygiene must be always ensured. To prepare for their later life, various passageways, wobbly, elevated and shiny surfaces must be offered, as well as fluttering, rustling and wind moving environmental stimuli, along with age-appropriate toys. The puppies should grow up indoors in the living area, in close contact to the breeder’s family, to become familiar with everyday life without stress. Everything is of course tailored to the puppies without any danger. Well-balanced nutrition with several meals a day and constantly available water are self-evident as soon as the puppies are able to eat and drink by themselves. Round-the-clock care is a basic requirement, especially during the first few weeks.
(Prospective) breeders who accept and implement all of our association's requirements can apply to the stud book office for a kennel name that is protected internationally by the umbrella association "Amerikanische Hütehunde Europa e.V. (AH e.V. - American Herdingdogs Europe). The name has to be clearly distinct to already existing kennel names. A kennel name protection will only become final with the recognition of a breeding bitch in our club. On the breeder homepage the logo of our association shall be led. If the breeder ends his breeding under our club, it must be removed immediately. When changing to another association, it must also be recognisable, that the breeding is being carried out under the new association and no longer under the AC e.V.. Active kennels of the AC e.V. can be listed together with their breeding bitches recognized by the AC e.V. The same applies to stud dog owners and their stud dogs. This requires that breeders such as stud dog owners are members of our association AC e.V.. Listed website links to the respective breeder or stud dog homepages must refer to the kennel or stud dog. If this is not the case, the association reserves the right to remove the link. Incoming emails from listed mail addresses shall be edited promptly. In the event of late payment or non-compliance with the breeding regulations or inappropriate behavior, the association reserves the right to remove the breeder or stud dog owner and his Collies from the homepage. The breeding committee decides by a majority. A resumption on the association’s homepage is subject to a charge. In principle, only breeding animals are presented on our association website whose owners are fully committed to our association, i.e. do not breed under another association, for example, but want to present their stud dogs by us. We are striving to keep our associations homepage up to date. Delays are possible. There is no legal claim. Likewise, the exchange of photos from time to time is possible only in the context of the reasonableness and feasibility of the honorary activities of the commissioned person. If a dog is removed of the breed, even temporarily, then the stud book office must be informed immediately.
A new kennel is administrated as "Preliminary Kennel of American Collies Europe" (Amerikanische Collies Europa e.V.). While breeding, latest by the litter control, all requirements will be inspected by a representative of the AC e.V.. Only then the title “Certified Kennel of American Collies Europe” (Amerikanische Collies Europa e.V.) will be granted as a special predicate. The breeding kennels will be controlled on a regular basis whether they comply with all requirements to continue carrying this title. The studbook office has to be notified about any changes to the breeding kennel immediately, e.g. regarding accommodation or supply. Slight breaches of the breeding guidelines can be reworked. Larger breaches will result in an entry to the pedigree “Not according to the sbreeding regulations”. Serious breaches will result in an exclusion from breeding. Only kennels that meet all requirements receive documents for their puppies. Inspections by a representative of the AC e.V. are possible at any time and he must be granted immediate access.
V. Breeding bitches & Stud dogs
To receive a breeding license, the breeding candidates must meet several quality and health requirements. All documents, including results, must be emailed tot he stud book office or the expert reports are sent directly to the studbook office by the evaluator.
External Appearance: They must comply to the original AKC (American Kennel Club) breed standard for American Collies, taking into account the guidelines of the AC e.V.. A presentation at our exhibition is desired.
Character: The Collies must demonstrably have a flawless breed-typical character.
Pedigree: They must have a complete pedigree accepted by the AC e.V., spanning at least three generations.
Identification: Every breeding candidate must have an easily readable implated microchip (transponder), with a 15-digit number code, stored in the EU Pet Passport.
Condition: Every actual and future Breeding bitch & Stud dog and all other dogs living in their home must be in excellent grooming, nutrition, and health condition.
Health certificate: A current veterinary health certification including dental check must be presented for the breeding candidate (special form) or alternatively the breeding license from another recognised breeding association with all required informations. Every breeding candidate shall have a complete scissor bite.
X-examinations: At the age of at least 15 months, or better 18 months, all breeding candidates must be X-rayed for HD, ED and LÜW (special forms) and voluntary for OCD. The evaluation is carried out by a specialist expert of the GRSK (curr. Dr. Witteborg in Germany). For Collies, that have already been x-rayed, the exsisting results can be submitted, even if no examination for ED and LÜW has yet taken place, if there was no obligation at that time. The breeding commission decides on recognition.
Eye examination: Every breeding candidate must have an eye examination for hereditary diseases by an ophthalmological specialist of the DOK (ECVO/ACVO).
Genetic tests: Every breeding candidate must verify his exact genetic status for MDR1, DM, CEA (Laboklin), PRA, GCS, IPD and DMS (Laboklin). For this, according results must be presented, each from a recognized laboratory of the AC e.V., either from the breeding candidate himself or his ancestors if there are clear results (only with two homozygous parents etc.). MH and HUU are voluntary but are strongly recommended, especially the former, as a dominantly inherited anesthesia and drug intolerance. In addition, every breeding candidate must have a genetic profile from a recognized laboratory of the AC e.V..
Breed excluding faults: Chronic diseases, hereditary defects, heart defects, epilepsy, autoimmune diseases, kinky tails, monorchidism, cryptorchidism, hereditary skeletal deformations, lip-, jaw- and palate-cleft, hereditary eye diseases like Cataract and PRA, visual impairments up to blindness, deafness, albinism, Double Merles, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, lumbar transition vertebra, considerable dental flaws, considerable jaw anomalies (e.g. overshot and undershot), considerable aggressiveness and overanxious nature. Should such defects become evident later, the breeding license will be denied.
Application for Breeding License: Every breeding candidate shall be presented to a representative of the AC e.V.. Breeding licenses must be requested at the studbook office per email, accompanied by submitting a copy of the pedigree and all the above-mentioned reports and evaluations, as well as a current photo of the Collie. If approved, the applicant will receive an application for Breeding License by email. This form must be completed in Word program and emailed back as a Word file (not PDF) so that it can be completed accordingly by the stud book office and presented to the breeding committee, which will then make the final decision on approval. Please note that only club members can have dogs declared suitable for breeding. This also applies to the use of stud dogs outside of our club. These must be declared suitable for breeding by the owners of the breeding bitches interested in them, submitting all documents. These stud dogs will not be listed later on the club website under stud dogs, as this is reserved for club members.
VI. Breed Steering Programs
X-ray program: In order to receive reliable X-ray results for HD, ED and LÜW, all breeding candidates must present an X-ray evaluation by an appropriate specialist from the GRSK e.V. (Society for X-ray diagnostics of hereditary skeletal diseases in small animals - https://grsk.org/ ). We are pleased about the successful collaboration with Dr. med. vet. Kurt Witteborg, founding member of the GRSK, chief assessor and assessor of the FCI and special evaluator for collies, who has been preparing the expert evaluations for us, since our association's foundation.
HD (hip dysplasia): Hip dysplasia is a malformation of one or both hips. Fortunately, American Collies are not among the breeds with an increased risk for HD, almost all have HD A (free). To maintain this, only Collies, that have been radiologically examined as being HD A (free) or HD B (borderliner) are accepted for breeding. At least one mating partner must have achieved the result HD A.
ED (elbow dysplasia): ED summarizes several malformations oft he elbow. Here too, the American Collies are not among the breeds with an increased risk for ED; almost all have ED 0 (free). To maintain this, the ED x-rayed Collies, that have been radiologicaly examined as being ED 0 (free) and ED 1 (borderliner) are accepted for breeding. At least one mating partner oft he ED x-rayed Collies must have achieved the result ED 0. Collies that have already been x-rayed for HD an/or come from another club where ED testing was not yet mandatory at that time are exempt from the ED examination requirement. They do not need to be unnecessarily exposed tot he risk of anesthesia again, even if it is small, to have them x-rayed again. However, all new breeding candidates must also be x-rayes for ED and LÜW, together with the HD x-ray.
LÜW (lumbar transitional vertebra): LÜW refers to modifications in the area of the lumbar transitional vertebra. Primarily the focis is on data collection, in cooperation with the GRSK. But here too, the LÜW x-rayed Collies, that have been radiologicaly examined as being LÜW 0 (free) and LÜW 1 (borderliner) are accepted for breeding. At least one mating partner of the LÜW x-rayed Collies shall have achieved the result LÜW 0. Collies that have already been x-rayed for HD and/or come from another club where the LÜW examination was not yet mandatory at that time are exempt from the LÜW examination requirement. They do not need tob e unnecessarily exposed tot he risk of anesthesia again, even i fit is small, to have them x-rayed again. However, all new breeding candidates must also be examined for LÜW along with the HD and ED x-rays. A good HD X-ray is usually sufficient for this. If not, an additional image must be taken. It is best to point this out to the radiologist straight away.
Clinical eye examination: All breeding candidates must present test results from an Ophthalmologist (eye-specialist) of the DOK (https://www.dok-vet.de - Dortmund Circle of Ophthalmologists of/or the superior authority European ECVO or alternatively ACVO in America) for hereditary eye-diseases, such as RD, CEA, PRA and KAT. Only Collies that are free from inherited eye disease will receive a breeding license. Currently an exception still applies to Collies affected by CEA-CH (Chorioretinal hypoplasia) or MPP (PPM) (psb), if their vision is not impaired. The breeding partner should be free. In addition, all puppies born in our association also receive an examination by an ophthalmologist of the DOK (or ECVO/ACVO), before they are handed over, at an age of 6-7 weeks. Due to these strict requirements for the parents, in combination with the mandatory genetic tests for CEA & PRA, no puppy with visual impairments was born in our AC e.V., since the association’s founding.
MPP (Membrana Pupillaris Persistens): In the embryonic phase, the eye is covered with a fine membrane. This disappears when the eyes open. Sometimes, however, tiny remnants of tissue remain, called MPPs (or PPMs = Persistent Pupillary Membrane). They can also be completely reabsorbed later. They are found in many breeds. In Collies, if they are present at all, they are so small (usually just one or two tiny pieces, which are then also outside the lens) that there is no impairment of vision. They can then also be approved for breeding with the recommendation that they be mated with free dogs. In addition, all puppies are examined by a specialized ophthalmologist from the DOK (or ECVO/ACVO) before being handed over, we can say with certainty that no puppy with visual impairment has yet been born in our association AC e.V, from the founding on.
MDR1 (Multi-Drug-Resistance): This multiple drug intolerance (https://mdr1-defekt.transmit.de/ , https://www.colliehealth.org/collie-health-101/mdr1-mutation/ , https://prime.vetmed.wsu.edu/ ) is very common amongst many herding dogs and related breeds (as well as some cats), including the Collie. The so-called MDR1 transport system, which is also an important component of the blood-brain barrier, is affected. It normally ensures that undesirable substances, such as medication, are kept away from important organs (e.g. brain) and functions, such as the intestinal barrier, placental barrier, excretory processes (liver, kidney) and even the bone marrow and blood. Usually unaffected genes cover affected ones, as in most diseases listed below (autosomal recessive inheritance). It is different here, because the coverage is only achieved with incomplete penetrance, so that MDR1 carriers (MDR1 +/-) can also react somewhat more sensitively to some medicines and anesthetics, so that medication and dosage should be adjusted. The treating veterinarian should always be informed about the respective MDR1 status (https://mdr1-defekt.transmit.de/kritische-arzneistoffe-bei-mdr1-gendefekt ). It should also be noted that, regardless of the MDR1 defect, i.e. also in genetically free collies (as well as other dog and cat breeds), in rare cases there have been intolerances or even deaths within 5 days of administration of the anesthetic ketamine, apparently regardless of the dosage. That is why it makes sense to inform the veterinarian also about this. For all puppies born in the association, the MDR1 status must be certain before they are handed over. If the status of the parentage is not clear (as soon as one parent is a carrier, i.e. +/-), an appropriate MDR1 genetic test must always be carried out. The same applies to all breeding candidates. The worldwide proportion of MDR1 affected Collies in 2021 was a shockingly high 70% https://prime.vetmed.wsu.edu/2021/10/19/breeds-commonly-affected-by-mdr1-mutation/ , according to a study by Washington State University. Thanks to our strict breeding program, from the association founding on, not a single MDR1 affected puppy has been born in our club! Instead, we can proudly point to a proportion of 65% of MDR1 genetically free born puppies! The proportion of carriers has steadily decreased and will continue to do so. Because from the founding of the club, the rule applies that by every mating, at least one parent must be genetically free (MDR1 +/+). Every breeding candidate must be genetically tested for MDR1. In our association AC e.V. the birth of MDR1-affected puppies has been and will continue to be completely excluded!
DM (Degenerative myelopathy): DM is an incurable, neurodegenerative, painless disease of the nerve pathways with increasing paralysis, starting in the hindquarters, which then progresses to the forehand with increasing paralysis also in the muscles for voices, swallowing and breathing, while the dogs are full consciousness (https://www.uni-giessen.de/de/fbz/fb10/institute_klinikum/klinikum/kleintierklinik/Chirurgie/neurologie/Patienteninformation/d/degenerative-myelopathie). In the beginning, it is like other diseases and degenerative symptoms of the hindquarters that are accompanied by muscle loss. Sometimes they also run parallel, as DM usually only occurs with advancing age. A final diagnosis is currently only possible after death through a spinal cord incision. The disease is comparable to ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in humans, as was the case with Stephen Hawking. Unfortunately, the exact genetic cause has not yet been identified with certainty. However, the risk gene SOD1 (superoxide dismutase 1) has been identified in affected people such as dogs if it is affected by certain mutations. They can cause incorrect protein structure (misfolding, e.g. due to too many disulfide bridges, resulting in aggregation and toxic inclusions in the mitochondria of neuronal cells: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9857031/ ), which not only leads to functional impairment, but also prevents the transmission of stimuli and causes the affected nerve cells to die. It seems to be similar with Alzheimer, Parkinson and Huntington. In ALS and DM, the connection between the brain and the transmitting nerves in the spinal cord is increasingly blocked, which results in their death (loss of motor neurons). Without nerve stimuli, the associated muscles are no longer active, stop functioning and become degraded, what is leading to increasing paralysis. In contrast to dogs, a whole series of mutations have now been identified in humans. In many dog breeds, including the Collie, the so-called Exon2 mutation in the SOD1 gene could be identified. It cannot be ruled out that there are others that can cause DM. Multiple mutations can also include carriers. The fact is, however, that in the study at the time, all dogs suffering from DM were also affected by the SOD1-Exon2 mutation. It should also not be forgotten that we are talking about a risk gene. Even in genetically affected dogs, it is said that (only) around 40% of dogs can develop DM. Fortunately, a genetic test has been developed, which we naturally use from the founding of the association, so that thanks to our strict breeding program, not a single DM (SOD1-Exon2) affected puppy was born and none suffers from DM to date. We have also been able to significantly reduce the number of carriers (and will continue to do so in the future), as the offspring statistic shows, with only 15% carriers and 85% genetically free dogs! We maintain that every breeding candidate must be tested for DM and that at least one parent in every mating must be genetically free (DM (SOD1-Exon2) +/+ or N/N). This means that in our association AC e.V the birth of DM (SOD1-Exon2)-affected puppies has been and will continue to be completely excluded!
CEA (Collie-Eye-Anomalie): CEA is a congenital, stagnant, genetic change in the fundus of the eye. Congenital means that it can be detected in puppies before they are handed over, if they are examined by an eye specialist from the DOK (or ECVO/ACVO) at 6-7 weeks, as has been required by our AC e.V. association since our founding. CEA is very common in herding dogs and related breeds, especially Collies. It is assumed that around 67% of all collies are affected by the mildest form (mild CEA or Chorioretinal Hypoplasia), which for most collies does not mean any impairment of vision, as there are either no or minimal changes to the retina. Usually there may be (but must not be) nothing more than small areas of the choroid and retina, which are not completely extensively or intensely pigmented. A phenomenon that can only be detected by an eye examination up to 8 weeks. After that, it is usually completely covered by pigments of the tapetum lucidum, which causes many animal eyes to light up brightly in the dark, when they are illuminated with light. It has a mirror-like reflective effect and thus helps to use even dim light to orientate oneself in the twilight. The Collies are then referred to as "go-normals" because no changes are visible. However, such dogs can still be identified using reliable, high-quality genetic tests (Laboklin), as they have the status CEA -/- or CEA/CEA (affected). Even though there are no visual impairments in this mild form, we have made it our mission, since the club was founded, to reduce the number of affected genes through breeding programs. Our offspring statistic shows that only just 8% of the Collies are affected (out of approx. 67% affected Collies worldwide), with a steadily decreasing trend. And on the other hand, almost 40% of the Collies are genetically free (by approx. 8% genetically free Collies worldwide), with a steadily increasing trend!
Colobomas, which are now only rarely seen, are currently (still) considered to be CEA. This is where congenital changes occur in the optic nerve head and the adjacent sclera, which are also visible at 6-7 weeks of age during an eye examination by a DOK specialist (ECVO/ACVO). If there is prior breeding selection, as in our club, in the worst case, usually very rarely only the mild form occurs, in which there are hardly any visible changes during the eye examination and no visual impairments. Without breeding selection outside of our club, unfortunately there are always cases with more severe tunnel and/or slit-like bulges in the optic nerve head. There you very rarely can also find the worst form, which is accompanied by severe changes in the blood vessels, which can lead to bleeding and retinal detachment, so that the dogs go blind. Through our breeding program we have been able to reduce the rate of puppies born with coloboma to under 0.25%, and in such a mild form that there are no visual impairments here either, as the specialized eye examination shows. In addition, not a single puppy has been born with a coloboma since about half of the time since the club was founded!
Our breeding program, which has been in place since the club was founded, consists of two important components. The first is the mandatory eye examination by a specialist from the DOK (ECVO/ACVO), not only for all puppies born in the club, but also for all breeding candidates. This allowed us to carry out a pre-selection for breeding from the very beginning by consistently excluding all breeding candidates before they were used for breeding as soon as they showed even the slightest changes to the optic nerve. This meant that colobomas did not even make it into the breeding pool. It is now assumed that there is a separate inheritance mechanism for colobomas. A Danish-Swedish study has already shown this in Tollers: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/vop.12488?fbclid=IwAR0ah7pM11p-i60AgaIfHUHrBoje_HXSX2PP-vkB8_kOWaJwqI_6Cynrd-A. Supported by the Collie Health Foundation, coloboma studies are currently being conducted on collies with the aim of developing a test. The University of Pennsylvania has already found that there appears to be a region of the genome that is resistant to colobomas, which is in line with our successful pre-selection. We can look forward to the final results.
The second important component of our breeding program is a high-quality genetic test for CEA (Laboklin) in order to be able to reliably identify the dogs listed above with mild CEA, even if they are all free of visual impairments. From the very beginning, we spared no expense and effort and in the first few years we always sent all samples (CEA & PRA and later DMS) to the USA, which involved a lot of effort and time and was very expensive, as the newly developed tests were only available there at the time. Today, we are happy that our local partner laboratory Laboklin is also providing us with reliable results here. All breeding candidates had to be tested then, as they are now. From the beginning, it was clear that genetically affected dogs should not be mated with each other. They were only allowed to be bred if they were free of visual impairments. Through selective breeding, we were able to continually increase the gene pool of healthy genes (see above) to the point where we now go so far that in every mating, one partner should preferably be genetically free (CEA +/+ or N/N). And of course, every puppy, born in our association, obligatory has an eye examination by a specialist at the DOK (or ECVO/ACVO), so the exact clinical status of each puppy is also known before it is handed over.
PRA-rcd2 (Progressive Retinal Atrophy): PRA is a widespread, incurable, hereditary eye disease that affects great many breeds. It is comparable to retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in humans. PRA in dogs and some cats progresses much more quickly and becomes increasingly worse, always leading to blindness in both eyes. The cause is the death of the photoreceptors in the retina. There are breed-specific differences in the progression, depending on the particular mutation. Rarely, new mutations arise in individual breeds, which first have to be identified and for which a suitable test must then be found. In most cases, as in the Collie, the rod receptors, which are specialized for vision at dusk, are affected first, and only later the cone receptors, which are specialized for vision in daylight. The disease is usually characterized by the onset of night blindness, which occurs in the Collie as early as around 6 weeks of age. Later, vision also deteriorates in daylight (with the pupils dilating on both sides, also in bright light). In Collies, the disease progresses very quickly, so that they are usually completely blind by the age of one year. The cause here is the so-called rod-cone dysplasia type 2, abbreviated PRA-rcd2. From the founding of the association, we spared no expense and effort and in the first few years we always sent all samples (CEA & PRA and later DMS) to the USA, which was a lot of effort and time and at great expense, because the newly developed tests were only available there at the time. Today, we are happy that our local partner laboratory Laboklin is also providing us with reliable results here. Thanks to early breeding selection, we have a sufficiently large gene pool of healthy genes. This is why we were able to set up a rule from our founding on, that at least one parent in every mating must be genetically free (PRA-rcd2 +/+ bzw. N/N). The birth of PRA-rcd2 affected puppies has been and will continue to be completely excluded in our association AC e.V.!
GCS (Gray/Grey Collie Syndrome or Cyclic Neutropenia-CN): This is a rare genetic disease of blood cell formation in the bone marrow, which leads to a cyclical reduction, especially of neutrophil granulocytes, which are extremely important for the immune system. The latter are the main component of the cellular immune system. Their strong reduction every 11 (10-14) days means that affected dogs are very susceptible to infection. As long as puppies are still being suckled, the antibodies from the mother's milk still seem to have a supportive effect, and the environment is usually relatively germ-free. Until then, the most noticeable feature is the slightly lighter, usually grayish coat color (not caused by Merle), with a nose that does not completely turn black over the course of development, which also remains rosy at first and later grayish. In addition, the tan markings are missing. The greatest risk of symptoms developing is at 8-10 weeks. With few exceptions, a terrible ordeal then begins with infections that become increasingly severe and, sooner or later, life-threatening, initially often caused by the simplest pathogens, that have only little effect on healthy puppies and young dogs. The illnesses are often accompanied by recurring fever, diarrhea, sometimes vomiting, joint pain that soon develops into arthrosis, sometimes accompanied by misalignment. Respiratory infections that develop into serious, life-threatening pneumonia are also typical. The eyes, skin, mouth and teeths are also very susceptible to all kinds of pathogens. Since the entire blood formation is disrupted by the cyclical changes (hence also called cyclic hematopoiesis), anemia can easily develop, possibly accompanied by a blood clotting disorder and symptoms such as nosebleeds and omnipresent additional general weakness. The affected dogs usually die within the first three years of life. Reciprocal bone marrow transplants from sick dogs to healthy ones, which then became ill, and vice versa from healthy dogs to sick dogs that had a chance of recovery, have proven that the cause can clearly be found in the bone marrow. Unfortunately, there is no sufficient developed system for finding suitable bone marrow donors in dogs. There is a similar disease in humans, cyclic neutropenia (CyN). A mutation in exon 20 of the AP3B1 gene has now been identified (https://omia.org/OMIA000248/9615/ ). This primarily causes a deficiency in the enzyme elastase (including agglutination of the precursors that cannot be completed) and, as a result, a disruption in the movement and function of the granulocytes, up to the failure to trigger a final immune response to fight infections. The gene is also the cause of a form of coat dilution, that causes the eponymous gray coloring in affected animals. It can also vary to a beige-yellowish color, depending on the base color and as a new color variant after the rare coat change. The harsh structure is usually also missing. This mutation has now been found in distantly related breeds, and the search is still ongoing in other breeds. These matuations probably occurred very early in the evolutionary history of dogs. In all probability, both parents (carriers) already have limited granulocyte function. We are happy that a suitable genetic test has been developed. Everything suggests that our gene pool is also completely free of carriers and ideally stays that way. When our association was founded, we established the rule that at least one parent in every mating must be genetically free (GCS +/+ or N/N). In the meantime, every breeding candidate must be tested for GCS. This means that the birth of GCS-affected puppies has been and will continue to be completely prevented in our association AC e.V.!
DMS (Dermatomyositis): DMS (dermatomyositis): DMS is an autoimmune disease, similar to JDM (juvenile dermatomyositis) in humans. It occurs primarily in Shelties. There are rare cases in Collies and very rarely in other breeds. Crusted lesions evolve on protruding bones that are sparsely covered with muscles, such as in the face (nose, eyes, ears), but also on the tip of the tail and paws. The skin is sometimes flaky, reddens and the fur falls out. It is typical that the affected regions do not itch, especially in the early stages before a secondary infection appears. Wounds heal in mild cases, although most of the times areas remain changed for a long period of time, shaped by dark or stained pigmention and ongoing loss of hair. In severe cases, the muscles can also be affected, making walking (like muscle soreness in humans) and swallowing more difficult. The most common outbreak occurs in the first half of life. Apparently, a trigger is needed for this, which is associated with severe stress. Milder stress factors can later act as intensifying effects, such as hormonal changes (castration if necessary), over-vaccinations (or live vaccines), increased infection pressure and intolerances, and lots of sunlight. Preparations containing omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, vitamin E and Trental, and possibly antibiotics, seem to help. Inflammatory skin lesions can be treated with special germ-reducing foam solutions. In addition, a study is currently underway at the University of Georgia on the use of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors in DMS, which have also recently been successfully used in human medicine for JDM. The so-called JAK-STAT signaling pathway was recently shown to be the main driver of various autoimmune processes when they cause an excessive inflammatory reaction, such as the skin lesions in DMS. Oclacitinib (Apoquel® from Zoetis) currently appears to be the drug of choice in veterinary medicine, especially since it is already being used successfully for inflammatory skin reactions, even if the main purpose there is to reduce itching and allergies. But it also has an anti-inflammatory effect as an inhibitor of Janus kinase. We will see to what extend this treatment makes sense.
Similar to DM, the causative genes in DMS have not yet been fully identified, but in 2016 Leigh Anne Clark & Jacquelyn Evans et al. in the USA discovered three risk factors for DMS and developed a suitable genetic test, which we immediately made use of. In the meantime, we no longer need to send samples to the USA, as Laboklin has also been offering reliable test results since a few years. Two high-risk genes were identified, called "A" (PAN2) and "B" (MAP3K7CL). The genes are important in the area of inflammation regulation. DMS can therefore also be described as an inability to regulate inflammatory reactions correctly. Since the genes are always present in duplicate (alleles), they can be intercepted by free genes "a" and "b" ("Aa" or "Bb"), so that the risk of disease is reduced. In general, "B" is less common than "A" in Collies. Interestingly, merle genes are always linked to an "a". According to research results from 2016 (http://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1006604 ), the risk assessment of the genetic test is enclosed: Basic risk (approx. 3%): aa bb, Low risk (approx. 4%): Aa bb & aa Bb & AaBb, Moderate risk (approx. 39%): AA bb & aa BB, High risk (approx. 90%): Aa BB & AA Bb, Very high risk (approx. 97%): AA BB. The risk test is not a means of detecting the disease; that can only be done via appropriate biopsies on the affected areas if it breaks out. It is purely a risk assessment. This also does not mean that every genetically affected dog automatically becomes ill; it simply has a low, moderate or high risk of the disease breaking out. Conversely, a dog with the lowest possible risk still has a residual risk of developing the disease, as there is no such thing as "no risk" according to the current state of science. When testing all of the breeding dogs in our club, it was fortunately found that there are no dogs with a high or very high risk. The majority were dogs with a low risk (4%), although there are hardly any B variants, and there were a few with only a basic risk (3%) and only a few with a moderate risk. This meant that we were in a good starting position to improve the trend even further through selective breeding. The percentage of dogs with the lowest possible risk was significantly increased and the percentage of dogs with a moderate risk was further reduced. We are currently working to eradicate the latter as well. Dogs with a moderate risk should only be mated with dogs with the lowest risk. According to the current state of knowledge, since the club was founded, no puppy has been born with DMS and it should stay that way. This means that every breeding candidate must be tested for DMS (Laboklin) and the matings must be chosen accordingly so that no puppies with a high or very high risk are born and the proportion of moderate cases continues to fall. In this way, the birth of puppies with an increased risk of contracting DMS has been and will continue to be completely ruled out in our association AC e.V.!
Further research is currently underway, particularly into the significance of the third risk factor, the risk gene "C", which relates to subvariants of the immune system, more specifically to the DLA-DRB1 system. Immune system variants can also promote an outbreak of human JDM. In dogs, it is about the MHC II class leukocyte antigens, more specifically the DLA genes, made up of the combination DLA-DRB1/-DQA1/-DQB1. They are expressed in numerical combinations depending on their genetic composition. Unfortunately, variations are very sparse among Collies. In the study, Collies almost without exceptions showed the combinations 002:01/009:01/001:01, rarely the combinations 015:01/009:01/001:01 and the very rarely combi 020:01/009:01/001:01 was added later. Therefore, there is a general breed-related tendency to DMS, at 3%. There is another extremely rare DLA variant, with the combination 006:01/050:11/007:01. Due to the small number, it is unfortunately not yet possible to say whether the risk is lower here. But even if it were, intensive breeding selection would hardly be feasible due to the rarity. Since the greatest variance occurs with DLA-DRB1, at our suggestion the research group switched to stating this value on the findings instead of the DQA1 value as before. Nowadays, to simplify things, it is common practice to designate the most common variant 002:01 with the risk gene "C" and all other variants, such as 015:01, 020:01 and 006:01 with a "c", although it is not really certain that the risk decreases; this remains to be observed. That is why we continue to state these in numbers. This also makes it easier for breeders to use specific variants in order to maintain the widest possible genetic range and to further support the health of the Collies born.
IPD (Inflammatory pulmonary disease): IPD is a recurrent inflammatory lung disease with a hereditary background. It usually breaks out in the breeder, a few days after birth. The dogs suffer from repeated foamy vomiting, nasal discharge, fever, shallow breathing, increased breathing noises and coughing. Medications such as antibiotics and secretolytics only help for a short time, after which there are rapid relapses. Many die very early. Thanks to a study supported by Laboklin with the University of Bern (https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/10/8/567/htm ), a mutation was found in the AKNA gene, which is responsible for regulating inflammatory processes. Fortunately, a genetic test was subsequently developed. So far, the rare disease has only been diagnosed in British Rough Collies, but it is known that diseases with comparable symptoms also exist in the wider dog gene pool. Because possible gene carriers cannot be traced back far enough, it cannot be ruled out that they can also be found in other Collies, especially since they go back to common ancestors. That is why we have changed the test recommendation into a test requirement. The whole thing is made easier by the fact that Laboklin has included the test in the Collie test package, so that many dogs are already tested anyway, and many others have had their dogs tested voluntarily. All of them have been genetically free so far, so we have a good starting point. For each mating, at least one parent must be genetically free (IPD +/+ or N/N). This means that the birth of IPD-affected puppies can be completely ruled out in the AC e.V. association!
MH (Maligne Hyperthermie): This rare genetic defect affects the calcium regulation of the striated muscles and, in contrast to the diseases mentioned above, is inherited autosomal dominantly. This means that genetically free genes of the breeding partner cannot mask those that are affected. The defect still occurs. It is found in many mammals, including humans. Triggers, rarely stress, but above all medications such as some inhalation anesthetics and certain muscle relaxants, can lead to massive muscle cramps and even to their damage(rhabdomyolysis). Added to this are cardiac arrhythmias (rapid heartbeat), lack of oxygen, excessive CO² and heat production (hyperthermia). Degradation products lead to, among other things, massive kidney problems, up to organ failure and death, if not treated immediately (Dantrolene). This test is voluntary, as no report has been found to date that Collies are actually affected. Since carriers are also affected, it is nevertheless strongly recommended that all Collies be tested for this so that none of them can be used for breeding and the birth of carriers and affected puppies is further avoided and only genetically free puppies (MH +/+ or N/N) are born.
. HUU (Hyperurikosurie / Hyperurikämie): This is a genetic disorder of urinary metabolism (purines), from birth on. In contrast to humans, the final product uric acid is further degrated to allantoin that is better water soluble by healthy dogs. This process is disrupted in dogs affected by HUU due to a mutation in the SLC2A9 gene (autosomal recessive). The uric acid content can arise up to double or even quadruple (hyperuricemia), which can lead to crystalline residues and even the formation of bladder stones (possibly requiring surgical removal). The test developed for the SLC mutation is voluntary, as the disease only occurs extremely rarely in Collies. Here too, ideally at least one breeding partner should be genetically free (HUU +/+ or N/N), so that the birth of affected puppies can then be completely ruled out in the AC e.V. association.
Collie Health Foundation (CHF): We always stay up to date and can react to new research results at short time and include them in our breeding program. This is because our association is a member of the CHF in the USA (https://www.colliehealth.org/ ). It is the world's largest organization for Collie health and supports numerous studies in this regard, which often result in important tests (see above) that help us prevent the birth of affected puppies. We are pleased about the intensive cooperation. We would particularly like to thank the long-serving President Robette Johns and Vice President Krista Hansen and many other current and former holders of important offices there, such as Mary E. Benedict, Judith A. Pitt, Lori M Montero and David Hansen, who have all visited our association in recent years and shared their specialist knowledge with us through many great seminars and discussions. Many of our members also support the CHF through private memberships and donations. And of course, we also work with other competent partners.
AVK (Ahnenverlustkoeffizient = ancestor loss coefficient): In order to preserve the genetic diversity of each individual dog to a high degree, the AVK of the puppies must not fall below 86% over 4 generations. This implies the prohibition of inbreeding or tight line breeding. Only with as many diverse genes as possible (heterozygosity) the individual of a breed can remain as healthy as possible in the long run.
IK (Inzuchtkoeffizient = inbreeding coefficient): The IK, in contrast to the AVK, also incorporates the closeness of relatives. Thus, double ancestors that are more distant (like great-great grandparents) have less severe influence than if e.g. the father would appear several times. It is recommended that the IK of puppies should not exceed approximately 6%. Furthermore, the circumstance of double ancestors should generally be avoided during the first three generations to preserve and promote the diversity and variety of genes.
Genetic diversity: The aim is to maintain the largest possible gene pool for the entire breed. The excessive use of an individual stud dog should be avoided (Popular Sire Syndrome) to preserve the genetic diversity of the breed. The more dogs are related to each other, the more the gene pool of a breed is reduced. Some diseases and other defects only develop at a higher age. Should affected dogs have produced abundant offspring, there is the danger that these defects have spread unintentionally and irreversibly. In all breeds, the gene pool drops from generation to generation, as with every dog that is not used for further breeding, its unique gene variants disappear forever. Of course, this does not mean that every dog should be bred. This should definitely be reserved for those who have sufficient knowledge and the opportunity and time. In addition, far too many puppies would be born for which there would be no suitable home. That would not be responsible breeding. With the American Collie, the aim was and still is to maintain the basic features of the original breed type, with all its advantages. The fact that it continues to be used for herding and dog sports has meant that the American Collie, unlike many of its relatives on the continent of origin and many other breeds, has not undergone extreme changes to its exterior, which always entails cuts in mobility, endurance, agility, expression, character, in other words the breed's fitness. Because one change always leads to a change in the whole. The original genes that support the breed's health, along with the genetic diversity, are also somewhat lost. The usual artificial shrinking of the gene pool by removing color variants that are free of health restrictions as well as the ban on mating of different hair variants (here Rough and Smooth) has also never happened with the American Collie. So, the fitness of our breed is still largely intact. This can be seen in the joy of life and movement, agility, enthusiasm, expression and often born large litters. But of course, we don’t become blinkered and are nevertheless concerned about the long-term preservation of the breed. In the background, we are already considering and developing measures to support heterozygosity (e.g. diversity check) and possible cross-breed outcross or backcross procedures.
American Lines: The aspired goal is to have at least 50% (good if more) of American bloodlines (Collies bred on the American continent over several generations in accordance to the breed type). More important for preserving the breed however is in the long run the conservation of the genetic diversity (of the individual) as well as a large gene pool (of the breed) and especially the exterior (according to the original American breed standard), besides character etc., with regard to the expected puppies.
Character: It is very important that character and temper are taken into consideration when choosing mating partners. It should especially be looked at how already existing offspring developed. Do I want to bring calm dogs into the world in the long term, or rather very active ones? Do I have enough interested parties for the latter who can do justice to such animals? Or would I rather aim for dogs with a medium temperament?
Exterior: The aim of breeding is always to breed a dog that comes as close as possible to the ideal image of the American Collie. To do this, you have to look at the potential of the available breeding partners and take a closer look at their ancestors. Good breeding judges, the breed manager and breed warden can certainly help. When choosing mating partners, it must be never forgotten that it is not a question of breeding the dog with the best health values, but rather the overall package must be right so that the Collie continues to look like an American Collie. That is the true art of breeding. Many characteristics, especially also of the unique Collie head, are inherited recessively, while deviations, such as too narrow muzzles and too wide heads, rounded on the sides with protruding bones, instead of flat, smooth sides (to form a beautiful wedge), tend to come through dominantly, by changing the position of the eyes ect. and being difficult to get back into shape. In all of this, the body structure must not be ignored. More details can be found here: https://www.amerikanische-collies-europa.de/index.php/en/american-collie/breed-standard. It is not without reason that the Collie is considered one of the most difficult breeds to breed, right down to its unique proud expression.
Color specifics: Color variations that can lead to health problems are not desired. This includes the Double Merle (genetically homozygous carriers of Merle (M/M), originating from the mating of two dogs carrying the Merle factor) are excluded from breeding according to current to the legal animal protection laws, even if there are variants that do pose any health risks is to be expected. A desired mating that might result in such puppies is also not allowed! Only one breeding partner may carry the Merle factor, as a heterozygous carrier of the Merle gene (m/M). In order to be able to reliably identify Hidden Merles (with a not (clearly) visible Merle, such as Sable Merles, Cryptic Merles and Minimal Merles) before mating, every breeding candidate must be genetically tested for Merle, so that the alleles are broken down (this was not the case with the old Merle tests). For all puppies that result from Merle matings, it is recommended that they are all tested for Merle alleles so that the exact status of each puppy is known. Buyers of dogs with a Merle factor must be informed that, in accordance with legal requirements, the dogs may not be mated with other Merles! It must also be pointed out that the Merle factor is not visible in many dogs, even across breeds, so that no "accidents" can occur to safely rule out the birth of Double Merles. To ensure that the eyes and inner ear always have enough pigment to be fully functional, Harlequins, Fawnequins and Minimal Merles (all m/Mh) must not be mated with Collies that have a White factor and/or a blaze that reaches up to the forehead. With all White variants, it is also important to ensure that the head remains completely colored (color head), as required by the breed standard. Excessively large blazes are therefore also undesirable. Ideally, dogs with very large blazes should only be bred with those without blazes. Also undesirable are deviating colors, such as the E-locus, because in the e/e expression the original basic color is completely overlaid with "yellow", pronounced as a Sable-like coloring with a lightened nose. Also undesirable is the Dilute factor, which in the d/d expression leads to an unnatural pale lightening (Maltese Blue/Gray) and possible health problems cannot safely be ruled out. (More information is available here, including very detailed information on Merle, here: https://www.amerikanische-collies-europa.de/index.php/en/american-collie/collie-colors ).
Mental maturity: Bitches must be at least 22 months of age for breeding, stud dogs must be at least 18 months of age.
Quality before quantity: Besides complying with above mentioned values that ensure and enhance the quality, it must also be considered that a dog should not be used for breeding excessively. For the stud dogs this was described under the point “Genetic diversity”. The breeding of bitches should be designed in such a way that there is at least a year between successful matings. A recovery year between litters is also aimed for, because our bitches are not breeding machines! Overwork also inevitably reduces the quality of the puppies and that must never happen! This is why a bitch is only allowed to have a maximum of four litters in her life. The first mating of a bitch should take place before her 5th birthday. After a second Caesarean section, the bitch must be taken out of breeding. Multiple litters should not be raised at the same time in one breeding facility. In general, no more than 3 litters per year should be raised per breeding facility. Kennels, run by the A.C. e.V. may only breed Collies under this association, otherwise any further breeding permit will expire. The breeding permit for bitches expires on their 7th birthday. However, a one-year extension can only be requested in particularly justified exceptional cases if a veterinary health certificate including a certificate of no objection for further breeding use is presented. The breeding commission makes the final decision by majority. The breeding permit for males expires on their 8th birthday. However, an extension can be requested, especially if their semen is particularly valuable. The breeding commission makes the final decision by majority.
Data collection: To be able to keep high-quality standards long-term and to optimize them further, it is essential that irregularities (anomalies, diseases, etc.) are reported to the stud book office, as is the death of all dogs registered in the stud book, including all born puppies. Depending on the cause, frequency, etc., appropriate follow-up steps can be taken to further optimize future breeding if required.
VII. Breeding Provision
Requirements: Both bitch and dog must have a breeding license from the AC e.V., after submitting all the necessary applications and documents and obtaining the approval of the breeding commission. The breeder has applied for kennel name protection after demonstrating sufficient expertise and has obtained the approval of the breeding commission.
Breeding application: A breeding application must be submitted electronically to the stud book office before mating (special form - Word document) with sufficient advance notice, ideally at least 4 weeks before mating. Each breeder can then select up to three stud dogs approved by the AC e.V. association, after contacting their owners. Only one of them may carry out the mating later. The stud book office checks the breeding application, calculates the AVK and then presents it to the breeding committee to check that all requirements of the breeding regulations are met. If approved, the breeder receives a mating report by email, which he must then print out three times and take with him to the mating. Only puppies from approved matings receive pedigrees.
Preparation: As soon as the bitch starts to come into heat, an experienced veterinarian should take a vaginal swab and send it to the laboratory to test for pathogenic germs, so that there is enough time for the rare case of possible treatment and a new swab. The frequent occurrence of pathogenic germs can prevent fertilization, implantation and proper pregnancy, even the birth of healthy puppies. In addition, the male dog could become infected and possibly spread the germs. But he should also either be tested for pathogenic germs and/or flushed a few days before mating if everything else is OK with him, so that it cannot pass on pathogenic germs. All points are agreed upon between the breeder and the stud dog owner. After the swabs and flushing, it is important that the dogs no longer have contact with dogs outside the household to minimize the risk of new germs being introduced. Only completely healthy bitches and male dogs are allowed to mate with each other. A progesterone test should always be done on the bitch to determine the optimal time for mating. The trend is to go to the male (far) too early, as the start of the standing heat days is usually even further away from ovulation. And it is only 24 - 48 hours after ovulation that the eggs are capable of fertilization and the optimal time for mating. Attempts to mate too early are painful for both and border on rape, as the bitch is not yet sufficiently dilated. In addition, in the case of Collies, who rarely forget striking experiences, this can lead to the bitches no longer wanting to be mated and the males no longer wanting to mate or giving up before beeding tie. Artificial insemination is permitted, but should only be carried out by qualified persons, preferably in a specialist clinic. Physical abnormalities that could prevent not only natural mating, but also natural birth must always be ruled out before the first litter through an appropriate medical examination. This can also be done as part of the preparation for artificial insemination, which is carried out by using an optical device for precise viewing (e.g. Blendivet).
Mating Report: Immediately after the last mating, the mating report must be completely filled out and signed by both, bitch and the dog owner, and emailed to the stud book office, or if a dog is used from outside our association (after approval by the AC e.V.), sent per mail. The two completed and signed duplicates remain with the breeder and stud dog owner. The mating report must also be filled out and sent immediately to the stud book office, if a mating has not worked out; there is a special line to fill in for this.
Litter Notification: The birth of puppies must be reported immediately to the stud book office and the stud dog owner. The completed litter report (special form) must be emailed to the stud book office within 10 days. All puppies must be reported, including any stillbirth or later deceased or died puppies. Same applies to any peculiarities and abnormalities that occur in relation to the birth process (incl. caesarean sections) and rearing, the puppies and the mother dog. If these occur later, they must be reported immediately.
Naming: In addition to their kennel name recognized by the "American Shepherd Dogs Europe e.V." association, all puppies must be given different name that begins with A for the first litter, B for the second litter, and so on in alphabetical order.
Rearing: When rearing the puppies, all requirements and quality characteristics of the breeding regulations must be followed, including good socialization and environmental stimuli as well as play opportunities that promote bodily fitness and development.
Health: The puppies should be in an optimal state of care, nutrition and health throughout the entire rearing process. The breeder must ensure that all test results are sent to the stud book office, in order to prepare the pedigrees.
Genetic Profile & Parentage Report: Every individual on earth has its own unique DNA profile, and so does every puppy. As soon as the puppies are at least one week old, a cheek swab is taken and sent to a laboratory recognized by AC e.V. to create a gene profile. These are then compared in the same laboratory with the gene profiles of both parents. If they can be clearly identified, the puppy receives a parentage report to create the pedigree.
MDR1: The MDR1 gene status of each puppy must be ascertained unambiguously and will be noted on the pedigree. If the status is not yet clear at the time of birth because one parent is a carrier (MDR1 +/-), so that different MDR1 results are possible for the puppies, they must all be genetically tested for their respective MDR1 status. To do this, as soon as the puppies are at least one week old, a cheek swab is taken and sent to a laboratory recognized by the AC e.V. The result must be available well in advance of the final litter control in order to be able to create a complete litter control protocol and the pedigree.
Further genetic tests: Of course, further genetic tests are possible. Each breeder decides for himself, what is important for him and perhaps also to the buyers. All test results received by the stud book office, issued by a laboratory recognized by the AC e.V., are entered on the pedigree, as the results that result from the homozygous health values of the parents deposited by the stud book office.
Deworming: All puppies must have been dewormed at least 2 to 4 times before vaccination, as they are more susceptible to infection in the first few weeks of life. It is a good idea to change the preparations, especially for the last treatment before delivery. The names and, if applicable, active ingredients must be entered on the litter inspection report with the date of administration.
Microchip: A microchip (transponder) must be implanted under the puppies skin by the veterinarian before or at the eye examination by a specialist from the DOK (or ECVO/ACVO) at 6 - 7 weeks. This means that each puppy can be clearly identified using a special chip reader. The respective chip number is stuck in the last column of the litter notification and must be sumitted to the stud book office on the same day (in acvance elecotronically, later in the original per mail).
Eye examination: At 6 - 7 weeks, all puppies must be examined for hereditary eye diseases by an ophthalmologist from the DOK (or ECVO/ACVO). The duplicate of the examination must be sent by the ophthalmologist to the stud book office. The most important breed-specific results (such as RD, CEA, PRA, KAT) are noted on the pedigree.
EU Pet Passport: Every puppy must have its own EU pet passport. It is an important document, like an ID card for humans. It contains the microchip number and vaccinations will be noted. It must be taken along on trips abroad and to dog events and sometimes presented. The anti-rabies vaccination is checked there in particular. It may only be administered at 12 weeks (i.e. usually by the buyers) and is then only valid 21 days later and must be revaccinated at required intervals according to the notes in the passport, in order not to lose its validity. When traveling abroad, additional vaccinations or a rabies titer test are sometimes required. In some German federal states (e.g. NRW), the EU pet passport is also mandatory for larger dogs. Every puppy buyer receives the original EU pet passport for their puppy when they pick it up!
Vaccination: All puppies must be vaccinated between 8 and 12 weeks of age at the latest, in accordance with the requirements of the country's standing vaccination committee. Only then can they be handed over! If there is no national permanent vaccination committee, the requirements of the WSAVA (The World Small Animal Veterinary Association) apply. In Germany, for example, vaccinations are given against distemper and parvovirus, and usually also against hepatitis, leptospirosis and kennel cough. The latters can also be administered later at own responsibility. In particularly high-risk cases, individual vaccinations, such as parvovirus, can be administered earlier, after consultation with a veterinarian. Otherwise, the basic immunization may only be administered at 8 weeks. After that, the puppies should ideally stay with the breeder for a few more days so that the vaccination takes effect. The vaccinations must be entered in the EU pet passport, which every puppy buyer receives.
Litter Control: Each litter must be inspected by a representative of the AC e.V. association. The protocol must be submitted to the stud book office on the same day (in advance electronically, later in the original per mail). The litter inspection ususalle takes place directly after the vaccination. All of the examinations and requirements listetd above must have been carried out and all important test results must be verifiable. If everything is complete and all requirements are met, the stud book office will issue the pedigrees.
Pedigree: Every puppy receives its own pedigree from the AC e.V., if the breeder has fulfilled all requirements and ensured that all test results have been forwarded to the stud book office. It contains the ancestry over four generations with all verifiable health values of the puppies up to the time of issuing the pedigree and the registered recognized results of the parents. Every puppy buyer receives the original pedigree from the AC e.V. association for his puppy, after his consent, including completely filling out and signing the "Consent to data transfer to the stud book office of the AC e.V." association. The breeder forwards the original to the stud book office as soon as possible, which is fundamentally obliged by the veterinary office to collect such data as part of disease control, etc..
Registration at a Central Dog Register: The breeder registers each of his puppies, immediately after pick up, in the name of the buyer, in the central dog register (TASSO in Germany) recognized by the AC e.V. association. If the dog ever gets lost, it can be returned to its owner more easily.
Contact data: According to the veterinary office regulations, the stud book office is obliged to store the names, addresses and contact details of the dog owners. There are special forms for this, which also regulate the right of the breeder to pass on data to the stud book office, which must be filled out by the new owners. Only then can the pedigrees be issued to the new owners. The breeder must submit the original, completed and signed forms to the stud book office at the lastest, when the last puppy, to be given away has moved, if this is within the normal time frame. Even if the owner later moves or changes ownership, this data must be passed on by the breeder to the stud book office.
Delivery: The puppies may not be delivered until they are eight weeks old at the earliest. They must have been vaccinated beforehand and the litter control must have taken place. The litter control report must be submitted to the breeding manager on the same day (in advance electronically, later in the original per mail). If all requirements are met, the stud book office gives approval. Only then may puppies and pedigrees be delivered.
Offspring assessment: In order to keep an eye on the quality of the offspring born in the AC e.V., the stud book office reserves the option of sending questionnaires to all puppy buyers. To do this, the stud book office needs the addresses and contact details of all puppy buyers in advance. Therefore, all breeders are required to forward the puppies to the stud book office immediately after they have been delivered, in consultation with the buyers. The information will be treated confidentially, and no addresses will be passed on. It is desirable that as many offspring as possible are shown at exhibitions of our AC e.V. in order to be able to follow further developments.
Advice and Support: It must be self-evident that advice and support for puppy buyers does not end with the handover of the dog. Every breeder should always make a friendly effort to provide advice to puppies and puppy buyers! In addition, if you are a member of our AC e.V. association, you will receive regular information and news by email about the breed and regular meetings are also offered. Every breeder gives their puppy buyers a membership application and encourages them to join in order to be able to further deepen our shared hobby and to continue to promote the American Collies, which are still rare in Europe.
Recognition of titles: The only recognised Championships are Junior Championship, the National Championship and the International Championship. Titles such as GCH, BOB, BOS, BIS (S), European(junior)winner etc. will be only recognized, if they are from our (umbrella)association, as well as by other Collies Special Breed Clubs, AKC, CKC, FCI, KC and other equivalent clubs. That means only these titles are noted in the stud book and kept at the respective dogs. Even these only come on the club website.
VIII. Fees
The current fees are documented in the scale of fees.
IX. Changes
Changes to the breeding regulations require the approval of the General Assembly. The breeding commission is authorized to carry out short-term changes to the breeding regulations, which are then put to the vote at the next regular general meeting.
X. Approved
The order was approved on 24th November 2024, by the general meeting in Kerpen and enters into force immediately.