Estimated Breeding Values in IWDR – Presented by Dr Eldin Leighton

The International Working Dog Registry (IWDR) is a subscription service supporting the working dog community by providing a uniform coding scheme and streamlined workflows for entering routine data. For Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherd Dogs, estimated breeding values are calculated and reported for three health traits:  (1.) an overall hip score, (2.) a measure of hip joint laxity based on the PennHIP score, and (3.) a measure of elbow quality. Hip quality scores are predominantly based on the hip extended view. Most scores are based on either an OFA-like score or an FCI-like score, with a smaller number scored using the BVA Kennel Club scheme. All extended view scores were classified into 1 of 5 mutually exclusive ordered categories from least (score 1) to most (score 5) desirable phenotype. PennHIP scores were included in the overall hip score phenotype by ordering values from least to most desirable, then classifying each quintile into the appropriate category. Elbow quality scores were also categorized into 5 mutually exclusive ordered classes. Analyses were completed using AIREMLF90 from the BLUPF90 family of programs. Variance component estimates were obtained for 3 phenotypes in each of 3 breeds. Heritability estimates for Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, and Golden Retrievers, respectively, were: 0.36, 0.51, and 0.21 for overall hip score; 0.69, 0.74, and 0.36 for PennHIP score; and 0.23, 0.26 and 0.20 for elbow quality score.