Thinking about getting a dog? It's important to understand your breed's potential health issues and the steps your breeder is taking to reduce your puppy's chances of inheriting health conditions. Here's what you need to know.
A: Every breed is susceptible to certain health conditions or diseases. Just like humans, dogs can inherit health conditions from their parents. Responsible breeders make an effort to lessen the likelihood of their puppies inheriting these issues by screening their breeding dogs for heritable conditions and making informed matches when breeding.
A: Health testing is a vital piece of a responsible breeding program when heritable conditions are present, but diet, exercise, environment, and genetics can all factor into whether a dog develops a health condition or disease. When breeders use health testing to identify risk factors in potential breeding dogs, it can significantly decrease the likelihood of many conditions appearing during your dog's lifetime. Performing the proper health tests is key, but it's just as important to work with your breeder to understand how diet, exercise, and environmental conditions affect your specific breed.
Health issues vary widely across breeds
It's important to note that there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to health testing. Breeders perform specific health tests on their dogs based on the common conditions and diseases found in their breed.
*Keep in mind: Reliable screening tests still don't exist for many hereditary diseases. Additionally, some health tests for complex conditions are not always predictive of the development or severity of the condition in the puppies. However, it's a powerful tool that responsible breeders utilize to produce genetically, physically, and emotionally sound puppies.
A breeding program following "Excellent" health testing will report to screening their dogs for:
Congenital Deafness (BAER, registered with OFA)
Congenital Deafness (BAER, registered with OFA) can be a result of exposure to toxins or infection prior to birth or inherited due to a genetic defect. The only reliable test is the BAER which can be performed on pups as young as 35 days of age and registered with OFA.
Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA)
Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA) screens dogs for the presence of heritable eye disease. Most eye disease is thought to be genetic but the specifics of many diseases have not been identified to date. Screening of breeding dogs decreases the risk of heritable eye disease being transmitted to puppies. Breeding dogs should have annual eye examinations as onset of symptoms will vary by disease and individual.
Late Onset Ataxia (LOA)
Late Onset Ataxia (LOA)
Patellar Luxation
Patellar Luxation is when the patella (kneecap) pops out of place resulting in varying degrees of pain, lameness and increased risk of further joint conditions developing. Screening involves an examination and grading of the degree of luxation present registered with OFA.
Primary Lens Luxation (PLL)
Primary Lens Luxation (PLL) in an inherited condition of the lens in the eye. The lens is held in place directly behind the iris and pupil by ligaments. When the ligaments breakdown, the lens may dislocate partially (subluxation) or fully (luxation) which can lead to inflammation or glaucoma.
Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA)
Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA) is a neurologic disease. Symptoms start at 2-6 months of age and include loss of balance, a “prancing” gait, falling, muscle twitching and sometimes seizures. Poor quality of life often results in euthanasia within a couple of years.
Fun fact
There are generally two different types of tests that can be performed, genetic health tests and phenotypic testing:
Genetic health tests can be performed on the DNA of dogs to screen for the presence of certain disease-causing mutations.
Phenotypic tests include physical examinations by veterinarians (or in some cases, specialist veterinarians) and diagnostic tests such as x-rays and ultrasounds.
Q: How do you think about reducing health issues in your puppies?
Q: What health problems commonly occur in Parson Russell Terriers?
Q: Can you tell me about any health tests you perform on your dogs and why?
Q: If you have done health testing, where can I see the results?
Q: Have any of the dogs in your breeding program ever been afflicted with these conditions?
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Understanding health tests is really hard, especially when they vary so much across breeds and the science is still developing. That's why Good Dog has built a tiered system to help you understand the health testing practices of breeding programs. Learn more