The Information system for Karst Shepherds and the Project of the Genetic Diversity

Karst Shepherd is a Slovenian indigenous dog breed, recognized also by the FCI - Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Group II). The population of Karst Shephreds is small and consists of around 800 dogs which can mainly be found in Slovenia. Breeders and geneticists remind us that small populations face particular risks if genetic diversity is critically reduced. This can result in higher occurrence of genetic faults, problems with immune system, and litter size problems…). Based on genetic research done to date, we believe that the genetic diversity and effective size of Karst Shepherd population is still comparable to dog breeds with larger populations.

Over the last years, the Association of breeders, owners and friends of Karst Shepherds of Slovenia (hereinafter DLVKOS) observed negative trends which could lead to potential reduction of genetic diversity. This was to be expected due to the relatively small size of the breeding population and the lack of diversity of included sires. Therefore it was agreed that protective measures are necessary. We have decided to restrict the mating load of individual male sires (ie to prevent the so called Popular Sires Syndrome) and enable higher diversity of males in the breeding program (over 100 available Sires in 2011). In addition, we identified new Sires that were not so closely related to existing Dams. We also began an awareness campaign targeting breeders and owners of Karst Shepherds, general public, potential new owners, university and government institutions. In 2006 Mojca Emeršič from DLVKOS initiated cooperation with Department of Animal Science (Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana), in the field of genetic research, which is headed by prof. dr. Peter Dovč. Since 2006 genetic analyses (ie calculation of genetic distances and confirmation of parenthood and more recently urinary tract diseases), were done for over 400 Karst Shepherds as a result of excellent cooperation between DLVKOS and University. In 2008 DLVKOS proposed extension of cooperation to the area of setting the Information system (IS) for Karst Shepherds which brought together available genetic findings and dog data into a common, integrated and freely available Karst shepherd database. Together with programmer Jurij Krsnik from Department of Animal Science, Mojca Emeršič continues to design, develop and improve the system you are about to explore. In 2010 DLVKOS passed Breeding Rules for Karst Shepherds - DLVKOS which is applicable for breeders in Slovenia but can also serve as guidance to breeders outside of Slovenia. It includes the information about genetic findings and places important accent on overall health and importance of keeping the genetic diversity and reduced inbreeding.

Information System is designed to publicly share information related to Karst Shepherds and to allow wide access to pedigrees and other information, thus contribute to responsible breeding. The information system includes all available historical and current information of Karst Shepherds. Some entries go as far as to year 1920. The best way to start using Information System is to enter the name or ID number of the dog in the search box in the Menu Section Dogs or any other Menus. The system shows information on pedigree of the query (up to 10 generations), the degree of kinship, pictures, sibling information, calculation of genetic distances (last generations), calculation of inbreeding coefficient, and breeding potential for individual female and male dogs. If you would like to see the List of Breeders or Current list of Matings, you can simply find appropriate menus for that as well. Also you can find automatic preselecting of Sires for your Dam, based on criteria of inbreeding and genetic distance, if you visit section Breeding Combinations - Dams. More information on how to use the information system is available in explanatory notes, located right to the search fields or on request from mojca.emersic@dlvkos.si

Dear visitors, please send us the photos of Karst Shepherds that are still missing from the system or if you have some original pedigrees relating to Karst Shepherds, please send them to us (mojca.emersic@dlvkos.si). Also please observe the style of photos already in the system.

You can find out more about Karst Shepherd if you visit the home page www.dlvkos.si