Introduction

In many breeding programs, genetic health testing has become an essential part of responsible dog breeding. One concept frequently used by breeders is “Clear by Parentage” (CBP). This designation indicates a puppy inherited two normal copies of a genetic variant because both parents tested “clear” for a known disease-associated variant. While this can be a practical tool in limited scenarios, CBP is not without pitfalls. Misuse or overuse can lead to unintended consequences for breeding stock, especially if assumptions are made without proper verification.

This article outlines the risks of relying on CBP, explains how AKC DNA Profiles help safeguard its use, and discusses why direct testing is often the better option today.

What Is “Clear by Parentage”?

CBP means that both the sire and dam have tested genetically “clear” for a specific autosomal recessive disease-causing mutation, and therefore, all their offspring are assumed to be clear as well. Because each parent carries two normal copies of the gene, they cannot pass on a disease-causing copy to their puppies.

While this logic is scientifically sound, it rests entirely on two major assumptions:
1. The parentage is correctly identified.
2. The original test results are accurate.

If either assumption is wrong, CBP falls apart—and the consequences can ripple through multiple generations.

The Risks and Limitations of Clear by Parentage

1. Mistaken Parentage
   The most common, and most preventable, error in using CBP is relying on incorrect parentage. Breeding records are not immune to mix-ups, especially with artificial insemination, multi-sire litters, kennel accidents, or errors in semen shipment.Solution: Use AKC DNA Profiles to verify parentage. These profiles are not health tests but genetic identity tools that confirm biological relationships with high accuracy. This verification is essential for ethically and scientifically valid CBP claims.
2. False Negatives in Genetic Testing (Though Rare)
   Genetic tests, like any laboratory assay, can occasionally produce incorrect results. A false negative may occur if the test fails to detect a genetic variant in a dog that is actually a carrier or affected. Though the likelihood is very low with reputable laboratories, the risk is not zero—especially for recently discovered variants, lab-specific tests, or sample quality issues.If a parent was incorrectly reported as “clear” due to a false negative, any CBP puppies could unknowingly inherit disease risk.

   Breeder Tip: Keep track of updates from testing labs and consider retesting foundational breeding stock if new versions of the test become available.

   3. CBP Is Only Valid for One Generation
   The CBP designation does not extend indefinitely. It applies only to the direct offspring of tested clear parents. If you retain a CBP puppy and plan to breed them, you must either re-test them or ensure that the CBP claim is backed by DNA-verified lineage and documented test results throughout the chain.

   CBP is not valid for “clear by grandparents” or from clear parents who were themselves only CBP.

   4. Applies Only to One Specific Mutation
   CBP applies to one disease mutation only. A dog that is CBP for PRA-PRCD, for example, may still carry other forms of PRA or unrelated genetic conditions. No dog is globally “clear” of all disease by parentage, and different genes may follow different inheritance patterns (recessive, dominant, X-linked, etc.).

   5. False Confidence and Complacency
   Using CBP without rigorous documentation may give breeders a false sense of security. This can lead to under-testing in a kennel or the mistaken belief that the line is free of genetic risk. Over generations, this can undermine the goal of improving genetic health.

Why AKC DNA Profiles Matter

AKC DNA Profiles are the gold standard for verifying biological parentage. While they do not provide health data, they confirm that the puppy truly descended from the claimed parents, thereby upholding the integrity of any CBP claim.

They are particularly important when:
– The breeding involves AI, frozen semen, or shipped semen.
– Co-owned dogs are involved or multiple litters are produced simultaneously.
– The breeder plans to promote puppies as CBP in advertising or for sale.

Use of AKC DNA also supports transparency, helps prevent fraud, and reinforces trust with buyers and other breeders.

Final Thoughts: Test, Don’t Guess

Clear by Parentage is a useful concept, but it has a short shelf life and serious limitations. Even small errors in parentage or test accuracy can cause long-term damage to a breeding program’s health and reputation.

With the significant drop in the cost of DNA testing, routine direct testing is now affordable and widely accessible, even in large litters. Given these advances, CBP is generally not recommended as a long-term strategy for avoiding genetic testing. In most cases, the prudent and responsible approach is simply to test each breeding dog and ensure results are documented, updated, and clearly understood. The AKC provides parentage verification and genetic health and traits testing with one sample with the AKC DNA + Health Kit, which to verify that the DNA sample used to run the health and trait tests matches the pedigrees of the tested dog. This feature provides additional confidence in the results.

Bottom Line for Breeders:

– Use CBP sparingly, and only when supported by tested, AKC DNA-profiled parents.
– Always document and verify results.
– Retest individual dogs before breeding, even if CBP, when feasible.
– Don’t skip testing: it’s more affordable and accurate than ever before.

Learn more about AKC DNA profiles at www.akc.org/dna or contact the AKC DNA Program to request volume discounts or breeder education support.