Terminology

The PDCA Genetics Committee Chair recommended that we adopt the common clinical terminology to describe the three types of Dexters. Specifically, Severely Affected (bulldog), Affected (carrier) and Normal (non-carrier). This will give appropriate terms to describe the phenotype (outward appearance) of the animal and eliminate the use of inaccurate terms like "Short-leg" and "Long-leg." It also reserves the terms homozygous and heterozygous for DNA typed animals. This will be published on the website and in the Record. This is also in-line with the labs' terminology for DNA typed animals: HN for Homozygous Normal and HC for Heterozygous Carrier and SA for Severely Affected.