CHIC

CHIC, Canine Health Information Center, has been adopted by the Board of Directors of the ISAA, Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America, as a storage and research center for our dogs' health information. CHIC is a branch of the OFA, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.

Currently CHIC is storing three 'facts' about our participating dogs:- a blood sample for each dog; CERF, Canine Eye Registration Foundation, eye test results; and hip dysplasia information from either the OFA or PennHIP, University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program.

Even though it may be several dog-generations or more before we learn enough from CHIC for the information to be more useful, there are things breeders can do now to improve some genetic issues.

The PennHIP philosophy to improve overall hip health can be used by breeders right now. Dogs with poor hip test scores whose owners want to breed them in order to save genetic diversity for the future should always select a mate with better scores. Puppies from a cross like that should have better scores than the worse parent and yet have the genetic diversity necessary for the long term health and prosperity of a breed. 'Breeding up' like that will in just a few generations improve the overall average hip scores for a breed and still maintain the diversity that we all see and love in our Icelandics.

People who use one male too often or who don't breed up a dog with poor hip scores, are doing a disservice to the breed.