"Only the very best McNabs become TOP GUN McNABS"

Top Gun McNab Shepherds have some of the best documented and verified lineage available. We remain true to the old McNab Shepherd standard, by tracking down and connecting with reputable, old-school breeders. All records available upon request.

Every one of our McNabs are "fur-kids" first, sporting dogs second and breeding dogs third. This means they are raised in our home, sleep in our bed and share our lives. Every litter is raised just the same, making them incredible family members and companions.

 TOP GUN McNAB SHEPHERDS are all about breeding healthy puppies and keeping my lines clean and strong and would hope our McNab Shepherd Breeders would feel the same way!  If you haven't done your homework yet, read up about what DCM(2) is! To Make a long story short, DCM is canine heart disease that can be potentially fatal in any of our dogs carrying the marker. We’ve all heard the story, one marker is not going to affect your dog, (that was from only one source, while other reputable research labs I've contacted over the last several years, strongly recommend against breeding DCM into any dogs), In my opinion, when you’re turning out multiple litters with multiple puppies showing even one DCM2 marker, you're increasing the odds exponentially and it’s only a matter of time before something bad happens. We recently had a member post that her McNab, while at the Vet's was diagnosed  with a case of full blown DCM, she was heart-broken and looking for answers. (the post was later removed after some lengthy discussion, over 200 people saw it, over 25 commented on it!) You can't convince me that DCM2 does not and will not affect our dogs, with multiple breeders "not concerned" about this marker and actually justifying it in their lines, it's just a matter of time before this becomes a major problem! I for one, am not going there, not now, not ever, always better safe than sorry. When purchasing a puppy always ask if they have been Embark DNA tested and look at the Health Panel. It will show if the puppy carries the DCM2 marker or not. My personal moto with all my dogs is: I'd rather be overly safe rather than overly sorry. **KEEPING THE McNAB SHEPHERD STRONG SINCE 2015!*** 

 McNab Shepherd puppies receive extensive pre-natal care for your puppy starting before they're born. Proper nutrition for the expecting mom is often overlooked by other breeders, but not here. Once we confirm our little girl is pregnant we change their diet to a Puppy formula. We fed one of the best over-the counter kibbles available, "Nulo Grain Free Puppy" (https://nulo.com/.../medalseries-puppy-chicken-sweet-potato) along with additional nutritional supplements. It’s obviously working for our mom dogs as they retain their shiny coat luster throughout the birthing and nursing periods. The babies are introduced to Nulo Puppy Canned food at 5-weeks while transitioning from mom’s milk at about 6-weeks of age. 

All of our puppies are DNA tested using the Embark DNA and Health Panel, our Breeding stock has had their OFA's completed and every single one of them have passed with flying colors. We have changed our testing companies and will be using PennHip Labs to do all of our testing. This method of testing has been proven to be more accurate with less chance of errors when comparing results. 

As far as diversity goes, we only have one dog that shows a COI % over 10% and the remainder tested all the way down to amazing 2%! The majority of our dogs COI's are in the 4% to 7% range with all showing high diversity in their genes. No Inbreeding or line breeding will ever be acceptable in our lines. 

You'll never find even a single strain of DCM2 (this is canine heart disease that can be potentially fatal) in any of our dogs! We’ve all heard the story, one strain is not going to affect the dog, but when you’re turning out multiple litters multiple with puppies showing one strain, it’s only a matter of time before something bad happens. Not going there, not now, not ever, always better safe than sorry. 

Next up on my McNab Shepherd Health Agenda, today I am questioning why I am testing my dogs using the OFA Testing when the PennHip Testing is available. Here's what I have found out about each: PennHip and OFA are two distinct methods for evaluating canine hip health, each with its own approach, strengths, and limitations. I don't understand why some breeders think OFA's are even worth the cost, not when there is a better option out there! I don't think I will be using the OFA labs anymore! After seeing the error percentage with the OFA testing compared to PennHip, I will be making the longer drive to have my dogs PennHip tested!!! TOP GUN McNAB SHEPHERDS; Keeping our beloved McNab Shepherds Healthier since 2015!!!

• PennHIP (University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program): Developed in the late 20th century, PennHIP focuses on measuring hip joint laxity in dogs as young as 16 weeks. It uses a distraction index (DI) to quantify hip stability by assessing the degree of hip joint displacement under anesthesia. This method involves taking three radiographic views to provide a comprehensive evaluation of hip laxity and potential risk for developing hip dysplasia. 2
• OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals): Established in 1966, OFA evaluates hip conformation in mature dogs, typically at or after 24 months of age. It relies on a single radiographic view and assigns a score based on the appearance of the hip joint, including factors like subluxation and degenerative changes. The results are subjective, interpreted by a panel of veterinary radiologists. 2
• 3 Sources

1. Age of Evaluation:

• PennHIP: Can be performed on puppies as young as 16 weeks, allowing for early detection of hip issues.
• OFA: Typically evaluates dogs at or after 24 months, which may delay the identification of potential problems. 2
• 2 Sources

1. Methodology:

• PennHIP: Utilizes three radiographic views to measure hip laxity quantitatively, providing a distraction index that indicates the risk of developing hip dysplasia. A higher DI suggests greater laxity and potential for future issues. 2
• OFA: Uses a single view to assess hip conformation qualitatively, resulting in a score that reflects the degree of dysplasia present. 2
• 4 Sources

1. Sensitivity and Objectivity:

• PennHIP: More sensitive in detecting hip laxity and provides objective numerical measurements, making it easier to compare against breed averages. 2
• OFA: Results are subjective and based on interpretation, which can lead to variability in assessments. 2
• 3 Sources

• PennHIP:
• Pros: Early detection, objective measurements, and a comprehensive assessment of hip stability.
• Cons: Requires anesthesia, can be more expensive, and not all veterinarians are certified to perform the procedure. 2
• OFA:
• Pros: Widely recognized, does not always require anesthesia, and has a public database for results.
• Cons: Limited to older dogs, subjective scoring, and may miss early signs of hip issues. 2
• 4 Sources

Both PennHIP and OFA serve important roles in assessing canine hip health, but they cater to different needs and timelines. PennHIP is ideal for early detection of hip laxity, while OFA is a standard method for evaluating mature dogs. Breeders and dog owners should consider their specific goals and the characteristics of their dogs when choosing between these two evaluation methods.https://blog.vetprep.com/pros-and-cons-of-pennhip-and-ofa...blog.vetprep.comPros and Cons of PennHip and OFA Hip Radiographs: Review for Vet Students