Many members will by now be aware of the discovery of an inherited blood clotting disorder in the Deerhound. Your committee has a duty to inform the membership, and to that end an article on Factor V11 Deficiency appears on page14 in the summer edition of the newsletter, (with follow up reports in the Winter edition)
It is reassuring that this ends with the suggestion that the condition need not cause alarm within the breed. Death from uncontrollable bleeding is rare; only one case has, as far as we know, occurred in association with Factor V11 deficiency.
Modern genetic techniques can help us to discover these problems, and also, where appropriate, give us the tools to limit their impact.
We are advised that this is a minor disorder and that the condition may be carried quite widely in the breed, but this remains to be seen. The problem has been recognised for only a short time, but may have been with us for generations.
We do advise you to read the article, and use your own judgement when planning to breed. This condition should not be used to exclude good dogs from any breeding programme.
We are sure that we will all be hearing more about Factor V11.
Further information may be got by taking the link to The Scottish Deerhound Club of America and then following the link to PennGen Labs.

Claymore Article

Newsletter Article

PennGen Labs

(Miss) M. J. Girling
Hon. Secretary