Letter to Kangal Dog Association

Dear Members of the Kangal Dog Association,

We are writing to inform you about a significant discovery regarding the genetic testing of Kangal dogs. Beginning in May of 2024 Embark added a test for the Copper Toxicosis in their test panel.  Numerous Kangal Dog tests have returned results showing one or two copies of this variant.  Some of the dogs have a common relative, some do not.

Copper Toxicity is a condition where excessive accumulation of copper in the liver can lead to severe health issues, including liver damage and failure. This discovery is particularly crucial for breeders, veterinarians, and dog owners, as it underscores the importance of genetic screening and proactive health management to ensure the well-being of Kangal dogs.

To date, we have no reports of symptomatic dogs or dogs that actually have developed the disease. The disease has only been identified in Labrador Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers, Black Russian Terriers and Bedlington Terriers.

Given the implications of this finding, and the limited gene pool in our breed, we would suggest all breeding dogs be tested for this variant.  Embark and Orivet (formerly Paw Print Genetics) currently includes this in their panel.  If dogs were tested before May 2024, we suggest they be retested. 

UC Davis offers a genetic test just for Copper Toxicosis for $55.00. We would suggest using that test. If enough Kangal Dogs come back with this variant, it may trigger additional research at UC Davis.

As genetic research and development increases, it is likely that markers for new diseases and variants will be discovered.  We highly recommend that breeders and owners send DNA samples to the OFA repository which can be used for additional testing in the future.

We are not suggesting that dogs that are carriers of one copy the Copper Toxicosis variant not be used in a breeding program. However, careful selection must be made to ensure two carriers of the variant are not bred.

In cases of identified carriers, we suggest their veterinarian should be made aware and routine wellness testing, including CBC, blood chemistry panel, urinalysis, fecal exam, and vector-borne disease screening, should be done as part of the annual health exam. Blood chemistries can detect early changes in organ function, electrolyte balance, and metabolism—often before symptoms appear. Establishing a healthy baseline helps veterinarians track shifts over time and catch emerging issues early.

As with Degenerative Myelopathy and von Willebrand disease, we would suggest not breeding a dog that has 2 copies of the variant.  Again, we have not seen Kangal Dogs that have developed this disease, but if a dog has 2 copies of variant, their veterinarian should be made aware and blood work, a 4 DX panel, should be done as part of the annual health exam.

Furthermore, increasing awareness among Kangal dog breeders and owners about Copper Toxicity and its potential impact can foster a community of informed individuals dedicated to preserving the health and vitality of this magnificent breed.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further information regarding this discovery. Together, we can work towards ensuring a healthy future for Kangal Dogs.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

KDCA Health Committee

Elisabeth Jensen

Dr. Heather Steyn

Babette Turk

Kerry O’Neal

Stuart Richens

Mary Hughes