Black Skin Disease (BSD) / Alopecia X (loss of hair)
There is no more divisive issue in the Pomeranian community than the unexplained loss of coat in the young Pomeranian. The internet is replete with ‘experts’ who have all of the answers to where it comes from, who is causing it, how it is passed, how to identify it months or even years before it becomes apparent and, even how to cure it.
Here many of the myths and much of the misinformation can be challenged, and the scientifically proven information on this condition highlighted. In particular the article focuses on the future and how scientists are working to identify the cause of the condition, and how to identify it by a genetic test which will allow breeders to screen their dogs and avoid producing Pomeranians that lose their coats. This article discusses how we can come together as a community to stop the loss of coats in OUR breed, if we truly want to. Only the support of the Pomeranian community will bring about a real solution to the Alopecia X phenomenon.
Whilst awaiting a genetic test, The Pomeranian Club advises breeders to research the pedigrees of the Pomeranians that they intend using in their breeding programmes and to avoid using lines or progeny from Pomeranians who are known to have been affected. It is sensible to only breed from Pomeranians who are older than the usual onset age of this condition which is generally found to be under two years but can be older.
Full article on 'The Science of Alopecia X: Shedding the Myths' by Dr Paul Eckford PhD BSc (Chair of the Pomeranian Club of Canada's Health and Genetics Committee)
There is no more divisive issue in the Pomeranian community than the unexplained loss of coat in the young Pomeranian. The internet is replete with ‘experts’ who have all of the answers to where it comes from, who is causing it, how it is passed, how to identify it months or even years before it becomes apparent and, even how to cure it.
Here many of the myths and much of the misinformation can be challenged, and the scientifically proven information on this condition highlighted. In particular the article focuses on the future and how scientists are working to identify the cause of the condition, and how to identify it by a genetic test which will allow breeders to screen their dogs and avoid producing Pomeranians that lose their coats. This article discusses how we can come together as a community to stop the loss of coats in OUR breed, if we truly want to. Only the support of the Pomeranian community will bring about a real solution to the Alopecia X phenomenon.
Whilst awaiting a genetic test, The Pomeranian Club advises breeders to research the pedigrees of the Pomeranians that they intend using in their breeding programmes and to avoid using lines or progeny from Pomeranians who are known to have been affected. It is sensible to only breed from Pomeranians who are older than the usual onset age of this condition which is generally found to be under two years but can be older.
Full article on 'The Science of Alopecia X: Shedding the Myths' by Dr Paul Eckford PhD BSc (Chair of the Pomeranian Club of Canada's Health and Genetics Committee)
Update on the Alopecia X survey that was carried out by Dr Paul Eckford PhD BSc
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