Black Skin Disease, also known as Alpocia X, is a horrible affliction that is affecting a large majority of pomeranians. Currently there is no test for this. That makes it even harder to try to 'breed it out' of the breed. There are many things we now know about the disease, but many things we do not know as well. Much of what is posted on the net is speculation, hypothosis', and opinioins. When you want answers, its hard to find any real facts since so many seem to differ on their personal experiences with the disease and differ in opinions greatly and argumenitivley. Because there is not test available to breeders, this disease has unkowingly and unitentionally been woven so deeply into the pomeranian breed it seems to affect all breeders at asome time in their breeding programs. It is difficult to avoid BSD in a bloodline since it may not show in the lines for up to 6 years later after the original carriers have produced possibly several generations by that the time it is discovered it was in the lines. At that time, those produced may have produced several litters, and those several more. Essentially by the time one knows BSD is in their bloodlines, 3 or more generations may be in other breeding programs, not showing symptoms, but producing carriers. Many carriers will not show any symptoms themselves but may produce affected dogs. This is a very difficult health concern for teh pomeranians breed.
