Survey of Blood Groups , and in Different Canine Breeds From a Diagnostic Laboratory in Germany.

More than twelve blood group systems have been described in dogs, but little is known about their distribution frequencies within breed populations. Here, we report on an extensive typing survey carried out using available reagents and either established or new clinical kits in purebred dogs from Germany. Leftover anticoagulated blood samples were examined using an immunochromatographic strip method for , a gel column technique for and , and new card agglutination tests for and (which were partially compared with the gel column technique). Monoclonal antibodies were used for and typing, and polyclonal antibodies were used for all other types. Among the 206 dogs, 59.2% were +, 100% +, 9% (Card)/11% (Gel) +, 89.3% +, 96.6% +, and 2.9% +. None of the dogs were ++, and only one was . dogs were found in several breeds. Erythrocytes from most + dogs bound strongly on the strips. The agglutination reactions for on the new card tests were generally less than those on the gel column. The blood group pattern +, +, + and either + or was found among 80% of the dogs. In this first extensive blood typing survey of purebred dogs from Europe, the proportions of positive and negative blood types were similar to those found in the United States and, for , were also similar to those from other European countries, with considerable breed variation in blood types. The newer typing techniques seem to work well and will likely be useful for detecting and preventing specific blood type incompatibilities in the clinic.