A Note About Our Health Testing 

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We now use Embark Veterinary DNA testing on all of our breeding dogs to help ensure we are producing the healthiest puppies possible. This testing screens for hundreds of genetic conditions, as well as traits and health risk markers.

 

What does this mean for you?

 

• Clear: A dog that is “clear” does not carry the genetic mutation for a specific condition and cannot pass it on to their puppies.

• Carrier: A “carrier” dog has one copy of a gene associated with a condition but does not show symptoms. Carriers live completely normal, healthy lives. When breeding, we carefully pair carrier dogs only with dogs that are clear for that same condition. This ensures that no puppies will be affected.

• At Risk / Increased Risk: Some results (such as certain cancers or complex diseases) are labeled as “at risk” or “elevated risk.” This does not mean the dog will develop the condition. These are based on genetic markers and breed data, not a single gene. We take these results into consideration, along with overall health, pedigree, and longevity, when making thoughtful breeding decisions.

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 Why We Don’t Eliminate All Carriers or “At Risk” Dogs

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Responsible breeding is about balance. Automatically removing every carrier or dog with an elevated risk result from a breeding program can unnecessarily shrink the gene pool. Over time, this can lead to:

 

• Reduced genetic diversity

• Increased risk of other inherited conditions

• Loss of excellent traits like temperament, structure, and longevity

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Instead, we make intentional, educated pairings - using clear dogs to ensure no puppies are affected by known genetic diseases, while preserving strong, healthy bloodlines.

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One example is copper-associated liver disease. Embark added this to their panel as of May 2024.

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What is copper-associated liver disease?

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Copper is an essential mineral, but some dogs can accumulate too much copper in the liver over time. This can contribute to liver inflammation or disease. Copper-associated liver disease is considered multifactorial, meaning genetics can play a role, but diet, liver function, other health conditions, and factors we do not yet fully understand may also contribute.

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Genetic testing can identify known variants associated with copper accumulation. ATP7B is one such variant and may increase a dog’s tendency to store copper. Dogs with two copies generally have greater genetic risk than dogs with one copy, but having one copy does not mean a dog will develop copper toxicosis. Likewise, dogs with no currently identified variants can still develop excessive liver copper. (help.embarkvet.com⁠)

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There are also attenuating variants, such as ATP7A and RETN, which may help reduce copper accumulation in dogs that also carry ATP7B. They are not considered a complete guarantee of protection, but they can be an important part of the overall genetic picture. (help.embarkvet.com⁠)

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For breeding programs, current genetic guidance does not necessarily recommend removing every dog with one ATP7B copy. Instead, one commonly recommended approach is to breed a one-copy dog only to a clear mate, which prevents puppies from inheriting two ATP7B copies while preserving other valuable traits such as temperament, structure, overall health, and genetic diversity.

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At McClelland Doodles, we believe genetic testing is an important tool, but it is only one part of evaluating a breeding dog. We also consider orthopedic health, structure, temperament, pedigree, longevity, and the health of previous offspring. A completely clear DNA panel does not guarantee lifelong health, just as a single carrier or risk-associated result does not automatically mean a dog will become ill.

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Our genetic testing practices have also evolved as veterinary genetics has advanced. Over the years we have used reputable laboratories including Paw Print Genetics/Orivet, and more recently Embark. New variants and conditions continue to be added to genetic panels, so dogs tested years ago may not have been screened for every condition available today.

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Nutrition may also play a role in copper accumulation. Some dogs with diagnosed copper-associated liver disease may benefit from dietary management under the guidance of a veterinarian, but a low-copper diet is not automatically necessary for every dog carrying a genetic variant. (merckvetmanual.com⁠)

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Our goal is to stay current with new research, use genetic results responsibly when planning pairings, and continue educating our puppy families as canine genetic testing evolves.

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Our Commitment to Health, Transparency, and Ethical Breeding

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Health testing is just one piece of responsible breeding. We also prioritize:

 

• Strong genetics and lineage

• Excellent temperament

• Structure and overall wellness

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Our goal is to produce puppies that are not only beautiful, but healthy, well-rounded companions for years to come.

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At McClelland Doodles, we are deeply committed to ethical breeding practices, full transparency, and the long-term health and well-being of every puppy we bring into the world. Our goal is not simply to produce beautiful, well-tempered companions, but to do so in a way that prioritizes responsible decision-making, honest evaluation of health data, and continuous improvement of our breeding program.

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We believe that true ethical breeding requires looking beyond a single test or snapshot in time. Instead, we evaluate the entire health picture of each dog and their family line, including genetics, structure, temperament, longevity, and real-world health outcomes across multiple generations.

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Canine hip health, for example, is influenced by a combination of genetics, growth patterns, nutrition, activity level, injury, and environmental factors. While radiographic evaluations can provide helpful insight into a dog’s hips at a specific moment, they do not guarantee lifelong soundness, nor do they fully predict how hips will perform over time or across offspring. Because of this complexity, we believe hip evaluation is not a standalone measure of breeding quality.

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Our approach places strong emphasis on long-term, multi-generational health history. We carefully study the health, lifespan, structure, movement, and temperament of our breeding dogs, as well as the documented health of their parents, siblings, and previous offspring whenever that information is available. This broader perspective allows us to make more informed and responsible breeding decisions.

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All of our breeding dogs undergo comprehensive genetic testing for known inherited conditions relevant to their breed background. We use these results to guide pairings thoughtfully and to reduce the risk of preventable genetic disease. In addition, we prioritize stable, sound temperaments and carefully evaluate each dog for suitability in a family environment before they are ever considered for breeding.

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We are also committed to ongoing accountability. We actively follow the health and development of the puppies we produce and maintain communication with their families. This feedback is an essential part of our program and directly informs our future breeding decisions.

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We recognize that no breeder can eliminate all health risks or guarantee perfect outcomes. However, we are committed to doing everything within our power to reduce risk, make ethical and informed choices, and continuously improve based on real-world data and lived outcomes from our dogs.

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Above all, we believe responsible breeding is a long-term commitment - not just to individual litters, but to the health, welfare, and integrity of the breed as a whole. We remain dedicated to transparency, learning, and making decisions that reflect the highest standard of care for every generation we produce!

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