Knowing the estimated coefficient of inbreeding (eCOI) of a puppy is an important factor when considering your purchase. The eCOI is a measure of the amount of inbreeding in the puppy's ancestry. In other words, the eCOI is the degree to which the puppy's parents are related. The higher the eCOI, the more closely related its parents are, which is a significant indication of the genetic health of the puppy.
There are two ways a breeder can determine the eCOI of a litter: genetic testing and pedigree calculations. The most reliable way is through genetic testing of the parents and then analysis of their results to determine the estimated COI of their offspring. The reason this is the most reliable is because it is comparing the actual genes of the two animals, so it is not left up to guesswork. The COI of the parents is an objective result, so the estimated COI of their offspring is generally quite accurate as a result. The second way an eCOI is calculated is through pedigree calculations. This is done by tracking down information about the puppy's parents, grandparents, and earlier ancestors, and then comparing their genetic information. This method is more subjective and often less accurate because you do not have all the information about all their ancestors, which means the calculation is being made from partial data rather than complete date. For example, we know a breeder who had mama dog with a pedigree COI of 0%, but when she had the dog tested by Embark Vet, the genetic COI of that dog was actually 40%, which is very high! She was stunned, as she had assumed (based on the dog’s pedigree) this dog was not inbred and its puppies would therefore not be inbred. Always keep in mind that although the estimated COI of litters that have been determined from the parents' pedigrees will often be much lower than the estimated COI determined by genetic testing, the pedigree COI is not as accurate as the genetic COI. So finding our the genetic eCOI is always preferable.
Inbreeding is generally discouraged because of the potential to produce unhealthy offspring. Unfortunately, there are many purebred dogs that have been inbred for cosmetic (show) purposes while health has not been a consideration. Ethical breeders focus on decreasing inbreeding to improve the health and vigor of their breeds. A genetic eCOI of 10% or less is generally considered acceptable and not inbred. A pedigree inbreeding coefficient of less than 5% is generally considered acceptable. In a perfect world, dogs would have a coefficient of 0%, which is what breeders should be working towards! If the eCOI of a puppy is too high, it is a sign that the breeder has been irresponsible in their breeding practices and that the puppy is at a higher risk for health problems.
The eCOI must also be considered in relation to the breed of the puppy. Some breeds are far more prone to genetic health issues than others and so if the eCOI of a puppy of that breed is higher than usual, the potential for health problems increases significantly. Maltese and Havanese - as a whole - are generally much less inbred than many other breeds. The UK Kennel Club reports an average pedigree Coefficient of Inbreeding (COI) of 2.7% in Havanese and Embark Vet reports an average genetic COI of 12% in the Havanese dogs they have tested. The UK Kennel Club reports an average pedigree COI of 5.5% in Maltese and Embark Vet reports an average genetic COI of 17% in the Maltese dogs they have tested. A lower genetic COI dramatically lowers the risk of genetic illness in our dogs. For more information on COI, please visit: Genetic Coefficient Of Inbreeding and A Beginner's Guide To COI.
When purchasing a puppy, you should always request that the breeder provide the eCOI of your puppy’s litter before purchasing the puppy. If the breeder does not have that information, encourage them to get their breeding dogs tested by Embark Vet so they can access that information. At a bare minimum, request a copy of the parent dogs’ pedigrees, but keep in mind, a pedigree will often not provide an accurate COI. For example, we know a breeder who had mama dog with a pedigree COI of 0%, but when she had the dog tested by Embark Vet, the genetic COI of that dog was actually 40%, which is very high! She was stunned, as she had assumed (based on the dog’s pedigree) this dog was not inbred and its puppies would therefore not be inbred. The eCOIs of our litters are always posted on all our Upcoming Litter pages. We also post the genetic COI of all our parent dogs on their individual pages, along with copies of all their genetic test results. We believe in full transparency, so we provide all this information up front!
Although eCOI should be a significant factor when considering a puppy for purchase, there are also other factors that should be considered, such as puppy temperament and physical condition, along with the rearing methods of the breeder, what they include with their puppies, and their breeding approach . For example, a breeder who does personality testing on their puppies and then professionally-matches them to you and your needs increases your chances of receiving a puppy that will fit well in your home and therefore be a happy part of your family for the rest of its life!
Overall, knowing the genetic eCOI of a puppy you are considering is important information that can help you make an informed decision about the puppy's potential health risks. Be sure to ask for the eCOI and the puppy's pedigree when purchasing a puppy, and take the necessary precautions to ensure its health and well-being.
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