We just got more genetic test results and Harley is CLEAR for the Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) gene. This means that not only will she not suffer from this defect, she cannot pass it on to her puppies! Most breeders of Golden Retrievers do not test for this gene but a friend’s golden suffered terribly from this defect and we wanted to be completely certain.
DM is a defect that affects dogs as they age, causing eventual complete lack of use of their back legs making then paraplegic. While the condition itself is not painful, it’s effects are devastating.
For more detail see the video below.