Our Goal
Our goal is to provide Shiloh Shepherd breeders with practical and useful genetic information that will help them with their breeding decisions.
Breeders evaluate many important factors before deciding on a pairing. One of those factors, the genetic expected Coefficient of Inbreeding (eCOI) of a litter, was not readily available in the past. Breeders had to rely on pedigree-based COIs, which can’t account for random genetic recombination.
Embark now provides trial breeding results with every Breeder’s account using an online tool called “Pair Predictor.” The results include the scientifically-based genetic eCOI of the planned litter, as well as health and coat information.
Whether or not you’re a breeder, we encourage you to include your Shiloh in our Project! Each one that joins helps us learn more. All that’s needed is any Embark DNA test for your Shiloh that includes health testing. There are no other costs or fees.
What You Will Learn with Every Trial Breeding
Expected Litter COI
The average expected Coefficient of Inbreeding (eCOI) for the litter is determined by how closely related the sire and dam are, and not their own COIs. Pedigree COIs cannot accurately predict a litter’s eCOI because they cannot account for random recombination of DNA. The Coefficient of Relatedness (COR) between the planned breeding pair is included too.
Genetic Health Information
Genetically-testable conditions pups could have or carry are reported. Embark currently tests over 270 health conditions, 11 of which are considered breed-relevant for Shiloh Shepherds, such as DM. More tests are added as they are discovered. A measurement of the Dog Leukocyte Antigen (DLA) Diversity for both parents is also included.
Coat Colors & Types
Although not part of our goal, the DNA analysis automatically provides the predicted coat information for a planned litter. It also identifies the odds of any one pup having each of the different types that are genetically possible (e.g., white, black, bi-color, agouti, etc.) Pup coat length information is also included.
Benefits of Joining the Project
Receive Trial Breeding Reports. The report will provide the eCOI of the hypothetical litter, health results for the 270+ genetically-testable conditions Embark tests, the genetic Coefficient of Relatedness (COR) between the possible sire and dam, Embark’s Dog Leukocyte Antigen (DLA) results, and an analysis of possible coat colors and lengths, including statistical odds of how many pups will have each type of coat. Photos of possible coat types are included.
- Favorable Genetic Trial Breeding Reports. Owners of breeding Shilohs in the Project will receive a genetic trial breeding report when a favorable potential match with your Shiloh is identified, subject to any limitations owners have previously.
- Personalized Trial Breeding Reports. In addition to favorable Trial Breeding Reports, Project members also will receive a detailed report for any trial breedings they request through the Project.
Knowledge of Favorable Lines for your Shiloh. Even though owners might not pursue a particular pairing in a Trial Breeding Report, they will gain a better understanding of lines that may work well with their own Shiloh. Ideally, owners will be provided with as many genetically-favorable pairing options as possible to maximize their choices.
No Obligation or Judgment. Trial Breeding Reports are informational only. We understand that many factors must be considering prior to making a pairing decision. We respect and appreciate that testable genetic factors are only one element of a complex decision breeders must make that includes several other critically important factors. For example, breeders will be doing their own risk assessments regarding the possibility of health conditions that are not genetically testable. They will also be considering appearance, behavioral components, and other factors as well. Breeders are the true experts!
Parentage Reports. Upon request, the Project will obtain for you from Embark a genetic confirmation of parentage for your Shiloh. Embark does not charge extra for parentage reports. It’s a benefit that’s included with every Embark “Breeder” or “Breed & Health” test. Both parents must also have tested with Embark so that Embark will have access to their genetic results.
Assistance with Understanding DNA Results. If you have a question about your Shiloh’s DNA results, we’re here to help! We have over a decade of experience of analyzing DNA and also correspond regularly with the genetic experts at Embark.
Genetic Privacy. We only share Trial Breeding results* and nothing else. We don’t even reveal your Shiloh’s own COI unless requested. Embark’s “Pair Predictor” tool requires that both dogs be in the same “Breeder” account. If your Shiloh is shared with another breeder’s account instead of the Trial Breeding Project, you won’t have as much privacy because all of your Shiloh’s Embark information will be shared with the other breeder.
Personal Privacy. We will never share the names of members or their Shilohs outside the Project without the prior written permission of the member. Within the Project, names of members and their Shilohs will be shared only via Trial Breeding Reports. All Trial Breeding Reports will comply with whatever limitations owners have previously identified.
Disclaimer
Except for testing our own Shiloh Shepherds with Embark, we have no connection to Embark, financial or otherwise.
We don’t breed or show and have nothing personal to gain from this Project, other than the hope that we can help breeders of today and Shilohs of the future. Our Shilohs have given us so much joy over the years, and this is just our small way of paying it forward.
Privacy
We will never share the names of members or their Shilohs outside the Project without the prior written permission of the member. Within the Project, names of members and their Shilohs will be shared only via Trial Breeding Reports. All Trial Breeding Reports will comply with whatever limitations owners have previously identified.