GenMARK, a subsidary in WI of Vita-Tech of Canda, announces that they now have commercially available, exclusively, a direct genetic test for the merle gene:
http://www.genmarkag.com/home_companion.php
Here is their fact sheet on merle:
http://www.genmarkag.com/canine_faqs.php\
Nothing more than a simple buccal sample (cheek swab) is needed from the dog (i.e. this is a non-invasive test).
Here is the order form for the test:
http://www.genmarkag.com/download/Genmark_ReqForm_CNT.pdf

The test is $95.00, but there will a discount offered on multiple samples submitted as an introductory offer.
Contact Janice Greenwood for more information & information on testing in Canada:
janice.greenwood@vita-tech.com


Here is the opportunity all have been waiting for who have white merles, possible cryptic merles and potentially unrecognized merles in this breed and others like Shelties, Cardis, Collies, Aussies and so on, as well as those with White Danes, "lite-marked" Harlequin Danes, merlikins and other largely white Danes to be considered for breeding. Here is a chance to clear up some ethical as well as practical issues and get precise and accurate answers to often-asked questions. This practical improvement in breeding has been made possible by the research that came out of Dr. Keith Murphy's Canine Genetics Laboratory at Texas A&M University (TAMU). Continuing research by this same lab of Dr. Murphy's at TAMU into the Harlequin gene is being sponsored by the Great Dane Club of America, and a commercial test for this gene will be produced by this same company upon the successful completion of this "second phase" of research into canine white spotting genes. That second test will offer may breeds the opportunity to explore the possibility certain phenotypes in their breed may represent the Harlequin variant, and will give Great Dane breeders worldwide the answers they need about which of their individual dogs, such as the Mantles and Whites, carry the Harlequin gene. So we all right now have the answer at our fingertips to find out which animals are "single" vs. "double merles." And since Dr. Murphy's research found that some Harlequins, for example, are actually double merles, this test alone is significant for breeders using especially dogs largely white and so unsure of their merle heritage. When Harlequin gene testing is added in, for our breed, this will answer some age old questions. And for all breeds, as to white spotting genes, well, the "crap shoot" aspect some complain of will now a thing of the past for those willing to test. : )

Permission to reprint is permitted.

More on Dane genetic as related to color here:

http://www.gdca.org/health/merlegene.htm

and here:

http://www.chromadane.com/chlinx.htm#linkgdcolor

Best regards, JP Yousha
Health & Research Committee
Great Dane Club of America
www.gdca.org/healthandwelfare.htm
danehealth@gdca.org