ATP7A and ATP7B Copper Transport Gene Mutations and the Kangal Dog
- babette360
- May 15
- 1 min read
At this time, the ATP7B and ATP7A copper metabolism markers reported by Embark have been validated primarily in Labrador Retrievers. As of this writing, there is currently no published evidence showing that these variants reliably predict copper-associated liver disease in Kangal Dogs or Anatolian Shepherd–type livestock guardian dogs. For this reason, the KDCA Health Committee does not recommend excluding dogs from breeding programs or making restrictive breeding decisions based solely on these genetic test results. Within the next several years, we should have a better understanding of the validity of this marker in the Kangal Dog and be able to make a clearer statement about it.
Current research suggests that elevated liver copper levels are not limited to only a few breeds. Although Kangal Dogs have not yet been identified as predisposed to copper-associated liver disease, broader industry trends indicate that proactive copper management and routine liver health monitoring are prudent precautions for livestock guardian breeds. Emerging evidence also suggests that increasing copper levels in some commercial dog foods may be contributing to a rise in liver health issues across the canine population overall.
