If a Keeshond receives a POSTITIVE result for the PHPT genetic test, how would that affect a planned breeding using the dog or bitch?
If a Keeshond that has tested POSITIVE is used for breeding, 50% of the offspring will have one copy of the defective gene and 50% will not. If a Keeshond with the defective gene is bred to another Keeshond who also has the defective gene, 50% of the offspring will have one copy of the defective gene, 25% will have two copies of the normal gene and 25% will have two copies of the defective PHPT gene. Based on our research, it appears that embryos in this last group with two copies of the defective gene may actually not survive in utero, resulting in smaller litter sizes for this type of breeding. Remember, it only takes one copy of the defective gene to pass the disease on to the offspring.
