Canine Genetic Issues
Looking for a certain breed of dog?
There are quite a few to choose from, and all of them require differnt levels of exercise, grooming, socialization, and companionship. The reasons for getting a certain breed should be more than just which is the cutest, the fastest, or the scariest. Before buying a certain breed, you should always do a lot of research on that breed to make sure the dog will fit your lifestyle. A greyhound may be good for a jogger, whereas a Newfoundland would not. A poodle is a great lap dog, but a Jack Russell is not.
If you are thinking of getting a certain breed, there are many resources to help you decide.
First, please call us. Most of our staff have a general knowledge of the breeds to help you get an idea if the breed will fit you or not.
Second, check out the AKC website at www.akc.org. This site gives a general description of the breed and its requirements.
Third, try the library and the Internet. You will find a lot of information in both areas.
Fourth, go to a dog show in your area. This is really good if you have decided on a certain breed and are looking for a breeder. Ask around, find out about breeders in your area, and find one you are comfortable with. A good breeder will answer your questions and will have some for you, too. They may find out (and tell you) that this breed is not for you.
Popular Breeds and Genetic Issues
Below we have compiled a list of some of the most popular breeds and some of their genetic issues. These are things to consider asking the breeder about before buying the dog. It also good to think ahead about the financial and emotional effect some of these issues have. For example, Retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia, the cost for hip replacement… about $2500 -3500 per hip. An example, in the long run it may be better to pay more for a dog from a breeder that was OFA certified good(related to hip dysplasia), than a puppy that came from a backyard breeder. Please read on….
CANINE GENETIC ISSUES |
||||
| BREED | GENETIC DEFECT | |||
| Akita | HD, vWD, knee problems, hypothyroid, lupus | |||
| Australian Shepherd | glaucoma, seizures | |||
| Basset Hound | spinal disease, glaucoma, ear infections, seizures | |||
| Beagle | hypothyroid, glaucoma, seizures, disk disease | |||
| Bichon Frise | weak knees, Cushing’s, severe allergies, seizures | |||
| Border Collie | eye problems, deafness | |||
| Boston Terrier | patellar luxation, heart problems, seizures | |||
| Boxer | cancer, eye problems, severe allergies, cardiomyopathy, pancreatitis | |||
| Cairn Terrier | kidney disease, hypothyroid, glaucoma, cataracts | |||
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | heart problems, MVD, cataracts | |||
| Chihuahua | tracheal collapse,heart problems, glaucoma | |||
| Cocker Spaniel | severe allergies, Cushing’s, chronic ear infections, seizures | |||
| Collie | PRA, hypothyroid, allergies, cancer | |||
| Corgi (Pembroke) | disk disease, bladder stones, knees, PRA | |||
| Dachshund | disk disease, seizures, diabetes, eye problems | |||
| Dalmation | deafness, bladder stones, diabetes | |||
| Doberman | skin cancer, vWD, spinal disease, HD | |||
| English Springer Spaniel | HD, vWD, seizures, bone cancer | |||
| German Shepherd | HD, OCD, bloat, pancreatitis | |||
| Golden Retriever | cancer, HD, OCD, hypothyroid, severe allergies, seizures | |||
| Great Dane | bloat, bone cancer, deafness, cardiomyopathy | |||
| Great Pyrenees | HD, ITP, patellar luxation | |||
| Jack Russell | Legg-Perthes, patellar luxation, eye problems | |||
| Labrador Retriever | pancreatitis, HD, OCD, diabetes, hypothyroid, epilepsy | |||
| Maltese | deafness, diabetes, glaucoma, hypothyroid | |||
| Miniature Pinscher | hypothyroid, eye problems, patellar luxation | |||
| Pomeranian | weak knees, tracheal collapse, dental problems, endocrine problems | |||
| Poodle (Toy) | cataracts, dental problems, seizures | |||
| Pug | Legg-Perthes, entropian, skin infections | |||
| Rottweiler | bone cancer, HD, OCD, bloat, cardiomyopathy | |||
| Scottie | vWD, lymphoma, seizures, hypothyroid | |||
| Sheltie | epilepsy, hypothyroid, cancer | |||
| Siberian Husky | HD, glaucoma, seizures | |||
| Weimaraner | HD, vWD, torsion, heart defects, entropian | |||
| Westie | weak knees, Cushing’s, severe allergies | |||
| Yorkie | liver shunts, patellas luxation | |||
Abbreviations and definitions:
CERF: Canine Eye Registry Foundation
ENTROPION: eyelids that roll in toward the eye, causing abrasions
HD: hip dysplasia
LEGG-PERTHES: degeneration of the hip joint
OCD: (Osteochondritis dessicans) joint degeneration
PATELLAR LUXATION: knee caps slide back and forth, causing pain K
PRA: (progressive retinal atrophy) retina starts to disintegrate, leading to blindness
TORSION: gastic torsion, stomach twists and causes death
vWD: ( Von Willebrand’s disease) a blood-clotting disease