The care and concern of a responsible breeder knows no bounds. Breeders want to know if there are any health issues
in any offspring they produce. It is by keeping in touch with owners of their puppies and the owners keeping in touch
with the breeder, that the breeder can make the best informed decisions when planning their future breedings. Breeders
want the best for the breed they cherish and promote. Breeders do all the research they can, they keep documentation
on any issue that comes up in their stock.
It is just such a breeder, with help from other breeders with the same concerns that led to a devastating discovery in
Schipperkes. If not for this concern and caring, more Schipperkes would have gotten sick and died with no one knowing
why it was happening.
MPS3B would not have been discovered if not for a family of Schipperkes and courageous breeder determined to find out
why 5 of her babies were sick. This breeder contacted others for information, the University of Pennsylvania
was contacted, many many hours of work and heartache went into getting an answer. And it paid off for the Breed and
all breeders. A mutant gene was found in Schipperkes. No one knows where it came from and it matters not where.
It was a mutant gene. It was there. What to do about it?
Luckily for Schipperkes - MPS3B is a disease similar to one found in human children and there was research on finding
an answer in children. The cross link between Schipperkes and human research helped the Schipperke breed to find a simple
recessive gene responsible for the problem in Schipperkes. This research is also invaluable in helping to find an answer
someday for children.
Because of the dedication of the breeders involved in the affected Schipperkes - we have a simple test to determine if
a Schipperke is a carrier of the gene, non carrier (normal) or affected. A simple swab test will determine this and
must be done by the University of Pennsylvania who will send you sample kits. This test cannot be done by a regular
vet. It does cost money for the results - but the cost is far outweighed by the results so that no one will ever again
produce an affected Schipperke. There is no reason to not test - and any responsible breeder will ensure that their
breeding stock genetic health is determined.
To the Breeders who cared so much for the breed to set out to find a heartbreaking answer - thanks will never be enough
- your sacrifice will never be forgotten.
In memory of the 5 beautiful Schipperkes whose life and memory will forever live on from their legacy of love - WE HONOUR
YOU.
This picture is the 5 Schipperkes who gave their life but found a life saver for the rest of the Schipperkes.
Wait at the Bridge - your life has not been in vain.