Pilot Project: Shar Pei SPAID Complex

Background

The GCDA’s first pilot project focuses on the Shar Pei Autoinflammatory Disease (SPAID) complex—a well-recognised but challenging condition characterised by a spectrum of clinical signs affecting the skin, eyes, ears, and other systems. Two related genetic risk tests are available, providing important insights into underlying risk. However, interpreting these results in practice remains complex, as disease expression can vary in severity, age of onset, and presentation, and may overlap with other conditions.

This pilot is designed as an exploratory, proof-of-concept effort to bring together diverse data sources—including kennel club records, breed club health schemes, veterinary and insurance data, and research datasets—to better understand how these different types of information can be connected and used together. In doing so, it aims to highlight practical challenges such as differences in phenotype definitions, data standards, and accessibility, while beginning to map how data currently flows across the ecosystem. By working through a real-world case, the project will help identify roadblocks, opportunities, and potential pathways forward—providing valuable insights to guide future GCDA activities and broader efforts to improve collaboration and data integration in canine health research

The SPAID Data Integration Pilot Project

To begin this work, the GCDA selected SPAID (Shar-Pei Autoinflammatory Disease) as its first pilot project.

SPAID represents an ideal test case because it combines a substantial amount of existing information with important unanswered questions. Over many years, data have been collected through research studies, genetic testing, veterinary care, breed club activities, health surveys, and breeding programs. At the same time, questions remain about disease risk, disease progression, interpretation of genetic test results, and breeding strategies that support both health and genetic diversity.

Researchers, veterinarians, laboratories, breed clubs, breeders, and owners all hold valuable pieces of information. The challenge is not a lack of data, but that these resources are distributed across many organizations and countries. Bringing together an understanding of these existing resources can help identify opportunities for future collaboration and research.

What This Project Is

The current phase of the project focuses on building an overview of SPAID-related information resources and understanding the opportunities and challenges associated with their use.

We are interested in information such as:

• Health surveys

• SPAID monitoring programs

• Health databases and registries

• Breeding and health guidelines

• Research and student projects

• Historical or unpublished datasets

• Archived DNA samples

• Relevant experts and organizations

Our goal is not to collect all of these data, but to understand what resources exist and how they may contribute to a broader understanding of SPAID.

What This Project Is Not

At this stage, the project is not:

• Collecting new DNA samples

• Conducting a new genetic research study

• Creating a new disease registry

• Replacing existing organizations, databases, or programs

Instead, the focus is on identifying existing resources, understanding how they relate to one another, and exploring what may be needed to support future data integration efforts.

The Puzzle Analogy

The current situation is like a jigsaw puzzle.

Researchers hold some pieces. Veterinarians hold others. Breed clubs, laboratories, breeders, and owners also possess valuable pieces of information.

Each piece contributes to our understanding of SPAID, but no single source contains the complete picture. By identifying and understanding the resources that already exist, we can begin to see how those pieces fit together and where important gaps may remain.

Why Does This Matter?

A better understanding of existing resources may help:

• Compare information across countries and organizations

• Build upon knowledge that already exists

• Reduce duplication of effort

• Support future collaborations

• Improve understanding of SPAID and related health questions

• Provide a foundation for future research initiatives

Ultimately, the goal is to make better use of existing information to support research, breeding decisions, and canine health.

How You Can Help

We are interested in learning about any SPAID-related information resources, including current projects, historical data collections, health surveys, registries, archived DNA samples, and knowledgeable contacts.

Information does not need to be complete, standardized, or immediately accessible to be valuable. Simply knowing that a resource exists can be an important first step.

If your organization, breed club, research group, or professional network is aware of relevant resources, we would welcome hearing from you.

Learn More

For additional information about the project background, objectives, and planned activities, please view the accompanying presentation and contact us at gcda@ipfdogs.com.