Estimation of heritability of atopic dermatitis in Labrador and Golden Retrievers.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the heritability of atopic dermatitis in Golden and Labrador Retrievers.


METHODS
429 dogs related to 13 dogs with atopic dermatitis.


METHODS
Atopic dermatitis was defined on the basis of the type and frequency of clinical signs recorded in the clinical records, and each dog was classified with atopic dermatitis or probable atopic dermatitis or as nonatopic. By use of data from atopic and nonatopic dogs, regression analyses of parental status on offspring status were performed to estimate heritability.


RESULTS
There was no difference in the frequency of atopic dermatitis between sexes or between breeds. There was a marked association between the atopic status of the parent and that of the offspring, particularly for sires. By use of data from 32 litters in which the status of both parents was known and considering only those dogs classified with atopic dermatitis or as nonatopic, the heritability (+/- SE) of atopic dermatitis was estimated to be 0.47 (+/- 0.17).


CONCLUSIONS
Atopic dermatitis has a strong genetic component, and breeding of dogs with clinical signs of atopic dermatitis should be discouraged.
Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7UU, UK.
Stephen C
SC
Shaw
James L N
JL
Wood
Julia
J
Freeman
Janet D
JD
Littlewood
Duncan
D
Hannant
D000818:Animals; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D004285:Dogs; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D010375:Pedigree; D012044:Regression Analysis