Health and Genetics Committee

Dr. Eckford is Chair of the Pomeranian Club of Canada's Health and Genetics Committee

He can be contacted at paul@tinybearpoms.com

The Pomeranian Club of Canada is pleased to announce that in 2012 Dr. Paul Eckford was appointed by the Board as Chairman of  the Health and Genetics Committee. Dr. Eckford’s scientific background, as well as his love of Pomeranians, will help further our understanding of genetic and health issues as they apply to our breed. As a scientist, Dr. Eckford will also help to decipher the current scientific research, published and ongoing, in the study of the diseases collectively termed Alopecia X. Through this new Committee, Dr. Eckford will share educational information that will help us move forward into a future where and genetic disease and defects are a thing of the past .

Below you will find a synopsis of a papers on health and genetics issues, together with a link to the complete articles.

 ALOPECIA X - SURVEY 
(sometimes called BSD or black skin disease)

Alopecia X, sometimes called BSD (black skin disease) is a ‘hairloss’ condition which has been known to affect several of the Nordic breeds, including the Pomeranian. There are many theories and much confusion surrounding this condition. The Pomeranian Club of Canada is taking a leading role in collecting important data to aid in understanding this disease. It is important that we answer one set of survey questions for each purebred pomeranian dog we own, living or deceased. All purebred Pomeranians whether pets or show/breeding dogs should be entered into the survey. Your participation is appreciated and important to the cause. Please click the link below and help us help the dogs.

PCOC-Alopecia-X Survey

 The Science of Alopecia X: Shedding the Myths 

 Dr. Paul Eckford, PhD (Biochemistry) B.Sc. (Biochemistry)

TinyBear Pomeranians

There is no more divisive issue in the Pomeranian community than the unexplained loss of coat in the young Pomeranian.  The internet is replete with ‘experts’ who have all of the answers to where it comes from, who is causing it, how it is passed, how to identify it months or even years before it becomes apparent and, even how to cure it.

Here many of the myths and much of the misinformation will be challenged, and the scientifically sound facts on the disease will be highlighted.  In particular the article focuses on the future and how scientists are working to identify the cause of the disease, and how to identify it by a genetic test which will allow breeders to screen their dogs and avoid producing Pomeranians that lose their coats.  This article discusses how we can come together as a community to stop the loss of coats in OUR breed, if we truly want to.  Only the support of the Pomeranian community will bring about a real solution to the Alopecia X phenomenon.

Dr. Eckford is Chair of the Pomeranian Club of Canada's Health and Genetics Committee

He can be contacted at paul@tinybearpoms.com

Click Here to read the entire article

 first published in the June 2012 edition of Pomeranians in Canada, our national breed magazine