Official Kennel Club DNA Testing Scheme
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
This type of DCM is a serious and most often fatal heart condition diagnosed in young Giant Schnauzers, causing swelling of the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles). The heart’s ability to pump blood is reduced since the heart becomes enlarged, and can no longer beat effectively. Genetic analysis of 3 affected UK pepper/salt Giant Schnauzer littermates from European breeding, along with their close relatives, took place at the University of Missouri during 2014. Results from this research found the same mutation as presented in Standard Schnauzers.
The mode of inheritance is autosomal recessive, which means a dog will only be affected if they have 2 copies of the recessive gene, one from the sire and one from the dam. The result of the DNA test will be either clear, carrier or affected. See Breeding from a DNA Tested Dog for further information regarding the result and breeding advice.
Giant Schnauzer breeders may order the DCM test via the following:
Part of the Kennel Club CombiBreed DNA Package
Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
Statistics available via OFA show an incidence rate of 6.8% carriers in the Giant Schnauzer. More information about DCM can be found on the link above.