In 1997, concerned Akita owners met in a chat room on the internet to discuss our breed's welfare. This group, recognizing the growing problems with immune mediated diseases/disorders showing up with alarming frequency in the Akita breed, offered up A CHALLENGE to all Akita owners across the world, to "do something". Do something to insure the health, and thus THE FUTURE of our proud and magnificent breed. It was decided to actively pursue funding qualified research, ongoing or proposed, in the fields of; genome mapping, PRA (progressive retinal atrophy), SA (Sebacceous Adenitis) and DNA Banking. The consensus is, these paths will someday discover DNA marker genes that will provide the testing that can enable breeders and medical practitio |
