Doberman Diversity Project

I love this project! Because I adore Dobermans! Imagine the heartbreak of living with a beloved dog whom you know could a) die at any moment;  b)develop a lethal condition at any moment. Both of these, due to genetic propensities &/or conditions. Enter the Doberman Diversity Project. Here is their mission statement:

OUR MISSION is to reduce the incidence of heritable diseases in the Doberman by studying and addressing the depression in the overall genetic diversity of the Doberman breed and studying and researching widespread disease-associated mutations, through comprehensive genetic testing and analysis, development and sharing of evidence-based breeding findings, development of online breeder decision-making tools, and long-term tracking of results to measure the effectiveness of varied approaches to breeding -- in terms of genetic health and longevity.
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What Dobermans carry: a) Cardiomyopathy. Approximately 1/4th of Dobes who develop cardiomyopathy die from seemingly unknown causes. Additionally, 50% die of congestive heart failure. Female Dobes have a sudden death manifestation of cardiomyopathy, with males developing congestive heart failure. Is it sex-linked?

b) Wobbler Syndrome (cervical spondylomyelopathy)...a disease of the neck vertebrae, affecting the entire spine. Approx. 5.5% of Dobes have this wretched disease...with approx. 5% of they who have it gradually becoming completely paralysed. Here's a 2017 quote from The Canine Institute of Biology's Carol Beuchat, please note that her entire article on Dobes is available right here.
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"The Doberman Pinscher is in serious trouble. About 60% of the breed is afflicted with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), with 13% affected by the time they are 6 years old and more than 40% by the age of 8. The disorder has an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance, but the causative genes are unknown."

c) Osteosarcoma, incurable, painful & wholly tragic...

Tis the data as regards this breed that is exceptional. This is due entirely to the excellent health testing performed by breeders! Keeping the testing state-of-the-art is key. Embark in conjunction with the Doberman Diversity Project will likely make an historic revelation as regards the above diseases...& the others which plague Dobes (VWB, HD, Thyroid, Hep etc...). What can be done now? Preservation breeding of clear & clear-ish dogs, the freezing of semen from healthy dogs whose pups can be observed for health issues, longevity etc...harvesting the eggs from really good bitches with similar observation protocols employed per her lineage. Consideration of introducing (or reintroducing the founding breeds all over again)...Manchester/Blk. & Tan...etc...& re-grouping.

I think it is quite possible that diet & wanton dog breeding destroyed this breed...& that a perfect storm was elicited for mutations to occur in this most unwholesome fashion. Obviously, if you follow me, you know that I'm a complete armchair chest-banging doggist. But, legumes & peas...commercial kibble...& other modern, convenient poisons have had deleterious effects on many living things, as does inexperienced/incompetent propagation. It is not just the Dobe that's been wiped out! Just ask the Bernese Mountain Dog...whose lifespan is the lowest of all purebred breeds at just 6.5 years! Think about that! With the minimum of that lovely breed owning a 35% genetic inbreeding coefficient...I think the only way to preserve/conserve poisoned genetics is to add some vigor. This will come in the form of complete outcrosses & selective breeding thereon...what say YOU?