Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Recently my friend (name withheld at the request of this person) wrote and told me that during an eye examination by Finn Boserup on November 29, 2009 the Icelandic Sheepdog Fljóta Táta, IS08170/04, was diagnosed with suspected generalized PRA and that they would be re-testing her in February, 2010. We are all looking forward to the results of that test. Since that letter arrived several other possible or suspected cases of PRA dating back several years have turned up. The good news is that the mother country will be looking for genetic testing protocols so soon we should be able to test our dogs to see if they are carriers or actually have one of the several kinds of PRA.

Pila - Vinlands Piaf

Sportsmens' had a three day AKC Rally and Obedience trial this weekend and Pila finished her Rally Novice title. Pila, Totty and Kria were all entered but only Pila, who has finally finished her season, could go.

Pila started her season first, followed by Kria and ending with Totty who is still in season.

It's been a very rough five weeks (so far) for Korpur. He is entered in Novice Saturday but I honestly think his brain has been short-circuited by all the pheromones and hormones floating in our home. We will go just to have a break from moving dogs, gates, barricades and opening and closing doors but we expect nothing from him.

Click on photos of Pila to enlarge them.

Korpur and Pila

It's still too early to tell but Pila and Korpur may be expecting puppies soon. If so, I think half of them should be black tricolors (black, tan and white) carrying one b-gene for chocolate-brown; the other half should be black and white (like Korpur) carrying one b-gene for chocolate brown and one at-gene for black and tan.

However, we know Korpur also has produced puppies in several shades of tan (fawn, cream, tan, yellow, gold, red, and sable) so there could be some surprises I suppose.

They are not allowed on the furniture BUT - - - -

Click on photos to enlarge them.

Winter 2010

FINALLY - Winter is here in Michigan!

Click on photos to enlarge them.

Tan Shade Chocolates

Click on the photos to enlarge them.

There are three examples of chocolate Icelandics not counting short (medium) length hair/fur and long length hair/fur.

Tan Shade Chocolates can come in any of the many shades of tan from very light wheat-colored through cream (creme), fawn, tan, yellow, gold, red, etc. Because there are so many shades of the tannish colored Icelandics and because opinions differ slightly on 'what' to call them, I, perhaps unfortunately, lump them all together and call them all Tan Shade Chocolates. For simplicity's sake, I refer to them as TSCs.

Like all chocolate Icelandics, any black pigment they might have in their hair/fur or in their eyes appears as a chocolate-brown instead. Look carefully at the eye-rims, the color of the lips and the noses. Any fur on their bodies that might have been black is chocolate-brown instead. Foot pads are also chocolate-brown.

Like both of the other kinds of chocolate dogs, their eyes are a gorgeous amber color like the fossilized tree amber found in many parts of Northern Europe. As you know, amber stones are really formed from tree sap which often trapped insects while still in the semi-liquid form. Over thousands of years the sap turned to stone with the perfectly preserved trapped insects still inside. The eye color of chocolate dogs may darken slightly with age. If you look at their eyes closely, they also seem to have inclusions. To me that's a very interesting coincidence for a Nordic breed.

Let me be very clear: I personally do not prefer one type over another. I have always loved all the types and colors and patterns and fur lengths and fur textures of Icelandics. I love the diversity in Icelandics. I feel strongly that all types must be encouraged and maintained.

Chocolate and White

There are three examples of chocolate Icelandics not counting short (medium) length hair/fur and long length hair/fur.

Chocolate and white Icelandics are extremely rare and extremely beautiful, don't you agree? The first and only one I know of belongs to a good friend who lives within a few miles of me. I think his owner/breeder may try to produce more Icelandics like Viggo. (Notice the chocolate-brown pigment is coming in around his right eye.) Click on photos to enlarge them.

Genetically I believe him to be bb with Irish spotting (some white fur) of course. Sooner or later we will figure out more about him genetically. He is obviously going to have long hair/fur.

Let me be very clear: I personally do not prefer one type over another. I have always loved all the types and colors and patterns and fur lengths and fur textures of Icelandics. I love the diversity in Icelandics. I feel strongly that all types must be encouraged and maintained.

True Chocolate Tricolors

There are three examples of chocolate Icelandics not counting short (medium) length hair/fur and long length hair/fur.

The dogs in these photos are examples of what I call true chocolate tricolors. For ease in writing and talking I call them TCTs. Genetically they are atat bb. They may be long haired/furred or short haired/furred. Some may have more white (Irish spotting) or less white. They may also come in pied, a different gene from Irish spotting.

Let me be very clear: I personally do not prefer one type over another. I have always loved all the types and colors and patterns and fur lengths and fur textures of Icelandics. I love the diversity in Icelandics. I feel strongly that all types must be encouraged and maintained.

Mori-bjorn av Isheim

Immigrants may be coming soon!

Bersi av Isheim

Immigrants may be coming soon. There are many decisions to be made and I'm having trouble making them.

Vinlands Gula

I was just sent some photos of Gula who turns five years old this spring. She loves Minnesota winters! She is one of Huld's daughters with Korpur. (You can click on photos to enlarge them.)

Vinlands Tenzing

Here are some recent photos of Tenzing who turned out to be a stunning male. Please click on photos to enlarge them.

Persistent Pupillary Membranes

or PPMs

PPMs are remnants of a structure called the pupillary membrane which covers the pupil before a puppy is born. The membrane carries part of the blood supply for the developing lens which focuses light on the retina in the back of the eye. The pupillary membrane continues to disappear in puppies before they are born and soon after but it may not be completely gone when the eyes first open. Sometimes small strands or web-like structures may be seen across the pupil. These strands usually disappear by four to five weeks of age. In some dogs the strands persist and are called PPMs.

PPMs may be found in several configurations in the anterior chamber. They may be attached on the iris and float free on the other end, go across the pupil from the inner side of the iris to other inner side of iris as either a simple string or a forked string, go from the iris to the lens, or go from the iris to the cornea.

In general, iris to iris PPMs cause no problems. They may be simple single strands or a forked structure or “Y” shaped structure. These PPMs may break and become less prominent as the puppy gets older, but they usually do not completely disappear.

Iris to lens PPMs are of more concern. These PPMs cause cataracts (cloudy areas) at the point where they are attached to the lens capsule. The cataracts do not usually grow and cause only minor visual deficits throughout the life of a dog.

Iris to cornea PPMs cause opacities on the cornea, the whites of the eye, due to their ability to damage the inner lining of the cornea. These opacities may be small or severe due to the development of the fluid in the cornea. Some affected puppies may have many strands and be blind. Their eyesight may improve as they get older because the strands may regress although they do not disappear completely.

PPMs are found in many breeds of dogs and are believed to be hereditary in Basenjis, Chow Chows, Mastiffs, Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and Yorkshire Terriers. Members of the aforementioned breeds have been shown to produce offspring with blindness associated with their PPMs. The exact mechanism of inheritance is not known but breeding dogs of those breeds with iris to lens or iris to cornea PPMs is discouraged.

Types of PPMs: -
a. One end of PPM floating in anterior chamber - no clinical significance
b. Single iris to iris band - no clinical significance
c. "Y" shaped iris to iris band - no clinical significance
d. Iris to lens - results in capsular cataract
e. Iris to cornea - results in adherent leukoma of the cornea

Askur, Thorri, Gala in New Zealand

Here are photos of Askur (standing), Gala (l) and Thorri (r) with Liz, and Gala alone - the first three Icelandics in New Zealand.

Pila and J-P

Pila turns two years old in a few days. Here's a photo of her as a puppy with her BFF, J-P.

She just started her season.

Her hips have been tested with the University of Pennsylvania PennHIP method and the results are L=0.47-R=0.37. Her eyes have been CERFed and are normal. She is a deep chocolate tricolor dog with short hair. She is very smart, even for an Icelandic, and has the most wonderful temperament.

She's been waiting for a very special mate from Europe but he's not going to get here in time to sire a litter this spring. (The weather has been too cold for shipping.)

So, we're looking for a local boyfriend for Pila.

Does anyone have a suggestion? Sleepless in Royal Oak - - - - -