spottedspaniel

How accurate are the COI (Coefficient of Inbreeding) estimates for purebred dogs that Embark tests? I am a reputable dog breeder (who shows, health tests, temperament tests, and is responsible for her puppies for their lifetimes) of a rare breed (Field Spaniels), and I factor COI into my breeding decisions to promote genetic diversity. Using guidance from the EU and Nordic kennel clubs, I attempt to aim for 7% COI or below by 10 generation pedigree. Many of my dogs are below 4% by pedigree. However, pedigree COI and Embark/DNA COI levels vary considerably. One of my dogs with 3.8% COI by 10 generation pedigree has around 35% COI by Embark testing. I understand that the pedigree estimate is definitely too low, because it doesn't account for the small number of breed founders. That's why I also sought out the DNA testing. However, is it possible the true range of COI could be somewhere between 4% and 35%? Could Embark's COI estimate be skewed by the fact that there's only a very small sample of Field Spaniels tested on Embark? Alternatively, should I presume the Embark COI is very accurate, in which case more measures might need to be taken to reduce the high COI? Considerations like this will need to be taken into account as younger breeders try to modernize breeding and better ensure dogs' welfare. Thank you!

Thank you so much for the detailed response. I'll definitely keep this in mind for future breeding decisions and work to educate other breeders about the reality of the situation.