Health Report Final - Flipbook - Page 53
Coefficient Of Inbreeding (COI)
Gene c COI seen in the WCSS embark data was 5% lower than the average COI that
reported by Embark for the breed as a whole, meaning overall the level of inbreeding in
the popula on of dogs tested in the WCSS project was lower than that seen in the overall
popula on.
Overall, the Kennel Clubs COI was reported as nearly half that of the true gene c COI.
Despite the result being lower than that seen in the popula on of Clumber spaniels this
level of inbreeding is not sustainable for the breed without grave consequences to the
health and future of our breed. Other vulnerable breeds such as Welsh springers have an
average gene c COI of around 20, while the average COI of all purebred dogs tested by
Embark is around 13.
When using the Kennel Club COI calculator value can s ll be taken. An unreasonably high
result should give warning of an inbreeding issue if the dogs are mated and should flag an
unsuitable paring. But a low COI needs to be followed up by a full examina on of the two
dogs’ pedigrees side by side to look for overlapping dogs, as most COI on the Kennel Club
are based on incomplete pedigrees and overlaps will easily be seen.
Gene c COI is the most accurate method for measuring inbreeding.
Unlike pedigree-based COI calcula ons, gene c COI directly evaluates each dog’s DNA to
iden fy the propor on that results from inbreeding. Embark’s gene c COI assesses over
200,000 gene c markers and can detect genera ons of inbreeding that cannot be
accounted for with typical pedigree documenta on.
Gene c COI is more precise than tests using fewer markers - ul mately providing more
informa on to be er understand a dog’s gene c health and to guide strategic breeding
crosses to mi gate inbreeding depression.
Embark gene c COI breeder service – Embark offer a service to breeders to allow the
gene c COI of a li er to be predicted based on data held on the two dogs and this service
is offered currently free 3 mes for each breeder via the Embark portal. Unfortunately,
there are not enough working type Clumber spaniels registered with Embark yet to
provide this service as an automa c service like in other breeds. This can be helped by
more people using Embark to test their dogs.
Embark also have a li er checker service where breeders can have their li ers DNA tested
prior to homing should a breeder wish to do this to help choosing progeny with specific
health results going forward for their own breeding program.
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