About
Why Genetic COI?
As every breeder knows, the Coefficient of Inbreeding (COI) is one of the most important factors determining a dog’s health and longevity.
Breeders critically need a tool that will provide an accurate, genetically-based COI for future pups when planning litters. COIs based on pedigrees were the only method available in the past, but science has shown them to be woefully inadequate. A newly-available genetic tool can tell breeders the expected COI of the pups.
What breeders can do
Run a genetic Trial Breeding* to learn…
- The expected COI (eCOI) of the planned litter
- The pups’ risk (if any) for all health issues that are genetically testable
- Genetically-possible coat colors and patterns
Join the Shiloh DNA Trial Breeding Project.
- We will run the Trial Breeding for you with complete privacy and provide you with a detailed report summarizing the results. We will answer any questions you may have.
- Owners of breeding Shiloh Shepherds in the Project will be alerted whenever a new potential match joins the Project who is predicted to have a favorable eCOI with your Shiloh.**
- There is no charge ever for membership or services provided by this Project.
*Genetic Trial Breedings are available free of charge with any Embark Breeder’s account.
**Subject to the owners of both Shilohs agreeing to sharing their dogs’ names with each other. Owners will be contacted privately and separately.
Who we are
We have been actively analyzing DNA on a volunteer basis for over a decade (Project Administrator of several large, international Family Tree DNA Projects). Although dogs have more chromosomes than people, they have the same types of DNA as we do.
We have owned Shiloh Shepherds since 2000. Our Shilohs have come from multiple breeders in multiple states, and have been in multiple registries. We have never bred or shown and don’t ever plan to. This initiative is not affiliated with any particular group. It’s only about the Shilohs. We have absolutely nothing to gain from this Project, other than the hope that we can help breeders of today and Shilohs of the future.
Privacy
We take privacy very seriously. We will never share or release your name or any genetic information about your Shiloh Shepherd without your prior approval.