About Us
Welcome to Cahas Corgis!
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We are a small hobby farm breeder of Pembroke Welsh Corgis. We are located in
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beautiful Boones Mill, Virginia. Our corgis are part of our family and live in our home
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with us. We strive to produce healthy, happy puppies that will be your next forever
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companion.
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**Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease)** WE DO NOT 100% GUARANTEE YOUR DOG WILL NEVER CONTRACT ANY DIESEASE, WE ONLY GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION WE HAVE FROM TESTING ON OUR GIRLS AND PASS THAT ON TO YOU. ALWAYS SPEAK WITH A VET FOR MORE INFORMATION
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Feel free to message
me for any questions, or to be added to our waitlist!
-Kady Grantham (owner)
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MORE INFO ON GENETICS
TESTING
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Clear
This finding indicates that the gene is not present in your dog. Therefore, when used for breeding, a Clear dog will not pass on the disease gene.
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Carrier
This finding indicates that one copy of the disease gene is present in your dog, but that it will not exhibit disease symptoms. Carriers will not have medical problems as a result. Dogs with Carrier status can be enjoyed without the fear of developing medical problems but will pass on the disease gene 50% of the time.
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Affected
This finding indicates that two copies of the disease gene are present in the dog. The dog has a higher chance of being medically affected by the disease, but not always. Appropriate treatment should be pursued by consulting a veterinarian.
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What is Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)?
A disease of mature dogs, DM is a progressive degenerative disorder of the spinal cord that can cause muscle wasting and gait abnormalities. Affected dogs do not usually show signs until they are at least 8 years old, where the first signs of neural degeneration appear in the nerves that innervate the hind limbs. An affected dog may scuff the tops of their hind paws or walk with a hesitant, exaggerated gait.
In advanced cases, lower motor neurons are also affected leading to weakness and muscle wasting. This variant is reported to have incomplete penetrance, meaning not all dogs with two copies of the variant will go on to develop clinical signs and other genetic and environmental factors will contribute to whether a dog develops DM. Furthermore, this variant is only known to increase the risk of DM in certain breeds. Other breeds where this variant occurs but is not associated with DM risk likely have genetic factors protecting them from this disease.
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There are multiple diseases that show similar symptoms to DM. Only a veterinarian can make a diagnosis. Typically DM will be diagnosed by eliminating other similar diseases due to the fact that diagnostic testing is lacking for living corgis.
There are 3 test results for DM:
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Clear - A (Normal)
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Carrier - B (Carrier)
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At Risk - C (At Risk)
If a puppy is clear then it shouldn't get DM. If it's test result is carrier then there is a very small chance they could develop DM later in life. If they are at risk for DM then the chances are higher, but that does not mean they will develop DM.
What does it mean if my dog is a carrier?
As DM has an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance, dogs with one copy of the variant would be termed “carriers” and not be expected to be at clinical risk. However, in breeds where the SOD1A mutation is associated with DM risk, carriers should not be bred to other carriers (or at-risk dogs) as this will lead to the production of at-risk puppies.
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What is Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC)?
Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) is a genetic neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle weakness, lack of coordination and life-threatening collapse after intense exercise in otherwise apparently healthy dogs. Affected dogs tolerate mild to moderate activity but will display signs of EIC after 5-20 minutes of strenuous exercise. The severity of EIC varies, some affected dogs continue to run while dragging their hind legs while others have progression of weakness from rear to forelimbs resulting in a total inability to move. EIC events are often accompanied by a dramatic elevation of body temperature, although unaffected dogs also exhibit elevated temperatures under the same exercise conditions. EIC episodes last from 5-25 minutes with a gradual return to normal with no apparent residual weakness or stiffness. Affected dogs show signs of the disorder as early as 5 months of age, which is typically when more strenuous training and activity begins. Dogs with EIC can lead full, productive lives with proper management. Owners of affected dogs should familiarize themselves with the types of activities that are appropriate for their dogs as well as specific triggers of EIC episodes.
EIC is caused by a mutation in dynamin 1 gene (DNM1 c.767G>T). It is inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder, which means that both males and females are affected equally, and that two copies of the mutation are needed to cause the disease. Dogs with one copy of the normal gene and one copy of the mutation (carriers) do not exhibit any signs of EIC.
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Two inherited mutations of the DNM1 gene associated with Exercise-Induced Collapse from the corgi's parents will put your dog At Risk for EIC.
There are 3 test results for EIC:
Clear - A (Normal)
Carrier - B (Carrier)
At Risk - C (At Risk)
Clear and Carrier corgis should not be affected by EIC as Exercise-Induced Collapse is an autosomal recessive disorder. This means that two copies of the mutated gene must be inherited in order for the disease to appear. Only "At Risk" corgis have both mutated genes.
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What is PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY ROD-CONE DYSPLASIA 3 (PRA-RCD3)?
Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Rod-Cone Dysplasia 3 is an inherited eye disease affecting dogs. PRA-rcd3 is an early onset disease that affects cells that transmit visual information in the retina. This disease progressively results in loss of vision.
Starting around 4 weeks of age affected dogs have abnormal thinning and degeneration of the retina. Signs of progressive retinal atrophy including changes in reflectivity and appearance of a structure behind the retina called Tapetum.
Early signs will be a loss of peripheral vision and night vision. As the disease progresses additional cells degenerate resulting in complete blindness. Most affected dogs are blind by 1 year of age. Others may retain limited sight until around 3 or 4 years of age.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis along with other dog breeds are susceptible to this disease. PRA-RCD3 is an inherited disease resulting from 2 mutated PDE6A genes, 1 from each parent. If the corgi's parents both passed on a mutated PDE6A gene then the corgi will be at risk for the disease.
Two inherited mutations of the PRA-RCD3 gene associated with Progressive Retinal Atrophy Rod-cone Dysplasia 3 from the corgi's parents will put your dog At Risk for PRA-RCD3.
There are 3 test results for PRA-RCD3:
Clear - A (Normal)
Carrier - B (Carrier)
At Risk - C (At Risk)
If your corgi is Normal or a Carrier then your dog should not be at risk to suffer from this specific genetic disease as both genetic mutations must be passed on for your dog to have PRA-RCD3.
There may be other causes of this condition in corgis. A normal result does not exclude a similar genetic disease.
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What is VON WILLEBRAND'S DISEASE TYPE 1 (VWD1)?
Von Willebrand's Disease or (vWD) is a bleeding disorder that changes how long it takes for the corgi's blood to clot causing them to bleed for a longer period of time; potentially bleed out in more severe cases. Von Willebrand's Disease is separated into 3 types. Going from mild to severe it's Type 1, Type 2, and type 3. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are affected by Type 1.
Owners usually notice symptoms such as: their corgi's gums randomly bleeding, excessive bleeding after losing puppy teeth, excessive bleeding after cutting nails (if the quip is cut), excessive bleeding during a heat (for female corgis only), bloody stools or urine, and more. The symptoms listed are what you should notice above the other symptoms not listed.
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There are 3 test results for vWD:
Clear - A (Normal)
Carrier - B (Carrier)
At Risk - C (At Risk)
If a puppy is clear then it shouldn't have vWD. If it's test result is carrier then they are not at risk for the disease, but will pass on 1 of 2 mutated genes to their offspring to get vWD. If they are at risk for vWD then you may want to have your puppy tested at a local veterinarian to make the final determination.
