Thank you for taking the time to consider this request to assist us in this very important work of attempting to eradicate dilated cardiomyopathy in our wonderful breed. Please note that this project has received financial support from dedicated Doberman Pinscher owners and the Doberman Pinscher Club of Canada. All data collected will be kept in the strictest of confidence. Only the project leaders at the University of Guelph will have access to the data on any individual dog. As the dog's owner, you will receive a report of the results of the Holter as soon as it is analyzed.

We are asking you to consider having your dog participate in a Holter study which will help us identify dogs early in this disease. With this knowledge we can then start therapy earlier and thereby prolong the life of more dogs. This also provides us with the chance for earlier screening of breeding stock, rather than waiting for symptoms to develop. The attached will provide more information about both the importance of this work and the method we are using to see this project to success. However, this success is only possible with the help and dedication of Doberman owners such as you. If we as Doberman fanciers are not interested in improving the health of our breed then who is? Your participation is important to us. So please notify your contact person if you have any questions.

A Holter recorder is a small tape recorder, about 3 inches by 4 inches by 1 inch, which is attached to the back of the dog with tape and a coat. Attached to the recorder are 6 wires which each snap to a small disc, 1.5 inches in diameter that is attached to the skin by adhesive. The Holter will cause no harm or pain to the dog. This is a common test performed in all hospitals.

Your participation will involve:

1. Confirming the date and time the Holter is to be placed on your dog

2. Meeting your contact person on the day the Holter is to be placed on your dog

3. Assisting the contact person with this task

4. Providing a pedigree of at least 3 generations, if available

5. Completing an "Individual dog data collection sheet"

6. Taking home an activity sheet on which you will record the time of all different activities you observe including eating, playing, sleeping

7. Signing a waiver making you responsible for replacing the Holter if lost or paying for the repair of the Holter if damaged

8. You will receive a list of Do’s and Don’t’s to review for consideration while the Holter recorder is on your dog

9. You will call your contact person if you have any concerns during the recording

10. You will meet with your contact person about 24 hours later to have the recorder removed

11. You will be notified by your contact person for your next annual Holter examination

Please note that your participation requires repeated Holter examinations of your dog every 12 months for the rest of his/her life. In addition, the recording will require shaving an area on both sides of the chest of the dog. Therefore, the studying of show dogs will require involving these individuals at very specific times. Non show dogs can be studied at most any time, as clipping hair is less of an issue. And finally, we ask for a fee of $60 US (except in Canada – use Canadian dollars) for each recording. This fee will cover the cost of materials used in the process and the cost of hiring a person to analyze the data tapes and provide you with a report as soon as the tape is analyzed.

If you encounter any further questions or have additional concerns or comments, please relay all to your Contact Person.

Again I thank you for your time and commitment. It is quite a life being owned by a Doberman. They have owned me for over 25 years, and I now have almost all their demands down pat.

Michael O'Grady, DVM, MS, Staff Cardiologist
Department of Clinical Studies, University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

A Holter recorder is a small tape recorder, about 3 inches by 4 inches by 1 inch, which is attached to the back of the dog with tape and a coat. Attached to the recorder are 6 wires which each snap to a small disc, 1.5 inches in diameter that is attached to the skin by adhesive. The Holter will cause no harm or pain to the dog. This is a common test performed in all hospitals.

Please note that your participation requires repeated Holter examinations of your dog every 12 months for the rest of his/her life.

In addition, the recording will require shaving an area on both sides of the chest of the dog. Therefore, the studying of show dogs will require involving these individuals at very specific times. Non show dogs can be studied at most any time, as clipping hair is less of an issue.

Photos courtesy of 
Darlene Gordon,
Adobe Dobermans, BC