With every breed of dog there are inherited conditions. Just like any mammal on the planet. I wish I could say that all dogs were perfectly healthy. But this would not be true. But as breeders in 2022 we are luckier than ever before, because there have been studies done. Laboratories have found DNA markers in some dog health problems, so we as breeders can avoid inherited conditions by using the tools which we have available.
The French bulldog has a different shaped scull which has been given the name Brachycephalic. The scull is shorter than other breeds of dog, plus shorter snouts. Sadly a lot of cross breeding has occurred in the pedigree dog world and where as vets think they are dealing with a French bulldog but its a cross bred dog. So there is a lot of mis information with regards to these dogs.
Cambridge university have been at the centre of the RFG (Respiratory Function Grading scheme). Which the Kennel club have now asked breeders to do the grading and breed from dogs which are unaffected. What has happened with pedigree dogs is really sad, breeders who have bred dogs by crossing them with other breeds to create a colour, sold as a pedigree Frenchie.
Across the UK their are trained vets who will do the grading. To find a vet click HERE. This is a relatively new test therefore still breeders do not know about this. But it is advisable to only buy puppies from RFG graded parents. By selective breeding of dogs with a score of 0 or 1 or 2 we can change hopefully the way forward for these breeds of dogs.
I mention French bulldogs, But in fact there are many breeds of dogs which have a brachycephalic head. Boxers, Lhasa, Shitzu, Cavalier King Charles spaniel, King Charles spaniel, English bulldog,Pug, Boston Terrier, Griffon Brussels, Dougue de Bordeaux, Pekinese, Japanese chin, star pei, Tibetan spaniel, Cane Corso,chow chow, Bullmastiff, and much more.
From 2022 we here at Silvestre will only breed from graded stud and bitch.
What is the health test looking for? BOAS which is short for Breathing Obstructive Airways Syndrome.
I have mentioned the Kennel club have asked breeders to do the testing. But what you must understand now is that they will register puppies if parents are not health tested. They will also register cross breeds. There are 3 different types of registration systems with the Kennel club. (1) The Activity register - Which allows cross breeds to be registered so they can participate in Kennel club licensed events. (2) Kennel club Registration - Which allows litters to be registered from parents which are not health tested. (3) Kennel club assured breeders - Breeders must health test before their litters can be registered. When you see an advert stating Kennel club registered you need to make sure which registration system your future puppy has. Because Ive had people contact me quite upset that their registered dog didn't turn out how they expected, basically a cross breed sold as pedigree.
The French bulldog has a different shaped scull which has been given the name Brachycephalic. The scull is shorter than other breeds of dog, plus shorter snouts. Sadly a lot of cross breeding has occurred in the pedigree dog world and where as vets think they are dealing with a French bulldog but its a cross bred dog. So there is a lot of mis information with regards to these dogs.
Cambridge university have been at the centre of the RFG (Respiratory Function Grading scheme). Which the Kennel club have now asked breeders to do the grading and breed from dogs which are unaffected. What has happened with pedigree dogs is really sad, breeders who have bred dogs by crossing them with other breeds to create a colour, sold as a pedigree Frenchie.
Across the UK their are trained vets who will do the grading. To find a vet click HERE. This is a relatively new test therefore still breeders do not know about this. But it is advisable to only buy puppies from RFG graded parents. By selective breeding of dogs with a score of 0 or 1 or 2 we can change hopefully the way forward for these breeds of dogs.
I mention French bulldogs, But in fact there are many breeds of dogs which have a brachycephalic head. Boxers, Lhasa, Shitzu, Cavalier King Charles spaniel, King Charles spaniel, English bulldog,Pug, Boston Terrier, Griffon Brussels, Dougue de Bordeaux, Pekinese, Japanese chin, star pei, Tibetan spaniel, Cane Corso,chow chow, Bullmastiff, and much more.
From 2022 we here at Silvestre will only breed from graded stud and bitch.
What is the health test looking for? BOAS which is short for Breathing Obstructive Airways Syndrome.
I have mentioned the Kennel club have asked breeders to do the testing. But what you must understand now is that they will register puppies if parents are not health tested. They will also register cross breeds. There are 3 different types of registration systems with the Kennel club. (1) The Activity register - Which allows cross breeds to be registered so they can participate in Kennel club licensed events. (2) Kennel club Registration - Which allows litters to be registered from parents which are not health tested. (3) Kennel club assured breeders - Breeders must health test before their litters can be registered. When you see an advert stating Kennel club registered you need to make sure which registration system your future puppy has. Because Ive had people contact me quite upset that their registered dog didn't turn out how they expected, basically a cross breed sold as pedigree.
Hemivertabra
The spine of the dog is made of bone just like the human spine. It has sections we call vertebrae. These can have malformations and spinal deformity. This is called hemivertebra or HV. Their is no clear cut reason why this occurs but it is thought their could be multiple factors such as genetic, abnormal blood supply to the vertebrae, the impact of having puppies, in other words stress put on the body. There is no DNA test for this malformations. Because it's most likely a multiple of DNA strands why it occurs. It is said to be caused by complex hereditary disorder rather than a simple DNA abnormality. Although seen in Pugs and French bulldogs, it can occur in any breed of dog. It is more likely to occur in dogs with no tails or screw tails. This test is not a requirement. After speaking to an expert on these breeds I have been told there is no such thing as a normal spine in these dogs because of the tails. Therefore you will see this in these breeds. My dogs have had physical checks where vet who assess's spines for the club scheme and has given both my dogs a good spine result.
What can breeders do to help prevent it?
Because there is no DNA marker test, all we can do is either have a vet check the vertebra by feeling the spine and grading it or have an X-ray. They should not be bred with out having it checked first. Both my dogs have been checked.
How would you know if your dog had it?
Your dog would show pain in the spinal region. It could be just minor pain, and slight limp, or tense, The dog may react if you touch an area on the back. it may suddenly drag its back legs, or could not get up.
What should you do if your dog has this?
Seek a referral to a specialist and they can help. Quite often your every day veterinary surgeon can not help.
PATELLAR
Putnam grading scheme - 0 to 4.
Loose Patellars means when the dog runs the knee caps pop out and causes a limp, pain. Their is a grading scheme where a vet can assess the dog. He will rotate the leg and see if the knee cap pops out. Then grades it. Ideally breed from 0 score or 1.
Can it be cured? In mild cases instead of operating it is a better option to support the knee cap with good muscle. Find a Mc Timmoney chiropractor who can help. Do hydro therapy with your dog which again builds muscle. Only in severe cases should they be operated on.
Now the down side as far as I can tell is this. You can go to 0 tested dogs and yet your dog can still get it. So with this in mind we have to think of ways to make sure our dogs are not over exercised when they are younger. They must not slip of flooring when young. They must not be allowed to jump off steps, sofas or run up and down stairs until the joints are set. Which is 18 months plus. To give your dog every chance of having no damage to the knee joint.
DNA TESTS AND HOW THEY WORK!
If you mate a clear to a carrier your puppy will not be effected,
HEREDITARY CATERACTS
This test is required in French bulldogs as they can be effected, or a carrier or clear.
BVA vets also may pick this up on a visual test. But it is easier to do the DNA testing.
Symptoms are structural changes in lens protein. Symptoms are changes in eye colour, clumsiness, reluctant to climb, rubbing or scratching eyes.
This effects French Bulldogs
DM - DEGENERATIVE MYOPATHY
This was a required health test in French bulldogs, but the Kennel club have recently removed it from their wording. But we as breeders believe it should be done.
Symptoms are weakness of the hind limbs. worn nails. difficulty standing up, scuffing the hind legs muscle wastage.
This can effect any breed
CY - CYSTINURIA
This is an inherited condition caused by defective transport of amino acid cystine. If not treated causes kidney failure, bladder rupture.
This effects French Bulldogs
Again you want parents to be either both clear, or one a carrier and one a clear. You should not mate two effected or two carriers.
The spine of the dog is made of bone just like the human spine. It has sections we call vertebrae. These can have malformations and spinal deformity. This is called hemivertebra or HV. Their is no clear cut reason why this occurs but it is thought their could be multiple factors such as genetic, abnormal blood supply to the vertebrae, the impact of having puppies, in other words stress put on the body. There is no DNA test for this malformations. Because it's most likely a multiple of DNA strands why it occurs. It is said to be caused by complex hereditary disorder rather than a simple DNA abnormality. Although seen in Pugs and French bulldogs, it can occur in any breed of dog. It is more likely to occur in dogs with no tails or screw tails. This test is not a requirement. After speaking to an expert on these breeds I have been told there is no such thing as a normal spine in these dogs because of the tails. Therefore you will see this in these breeds. My dogs have had physical checks where vet who assess's spines for the club scheme and has given both my dogs a good spine result.
What can breeders do to help prevent it?
Because there is no DNA marker test, all we can do is either have a vet check the vertebra by feeling the spine and grading it or have an X-ray. They should not be bred with out having it checked first. Both my dogs have been checked.
How would you know if your dog had it?
Your dog would show pain in the spinal region. It could be just minor pain, and slight limp, or tense, The dog may react if you touch an area on the back. it may suddenly drag its back legs, or could not get up.
What should you do if your dog has this?
Seek a referral to a specialist and they can help. Quite often your every day veterinary surgeon can not help.
PATELLAR
Putnam grading scheme - 0 to 4.
Loose Patellars means when the dog runs the knee caps pop out and causes a limp, pain. Their is a grading scheme where a vet can assess the dog. He will rotate the leg and see if the knee cap pops out. Then grades it. Ideally breed from 0 score or 1.
Can it be cured? In mild cases instead of operating it is a better option to support the knee cap with good muscle. Find a Mc Timmoney chiropractor who can help. Do hydro therapy with your dog which again builds muscle. Only in severe cases should they be operated on.
Now the down side as far as I can tell is this. You can go to 0 tested dogs and yet your dog can still get it. So with this in mind we have to think of ways to make sure our dogs are not over exercised when they are younger. They must not slip of flooring when young. They must not be allowed to jump off steps, sofas or run up and down stairs until the joints are set. Which is 18 months plus. To give your dog every chance of having no damage to the knee joint.
DNA TESTS AND HOW THEY WORK!
- Mate Clear to Clear
- Mate Clear to Carrier
- DO NOT MATE carrier to carrier
- DO NOT MATE effected to effected.
If you mate a clear to a carrier your puppy will not be effected,
HEREDITARY CATERACTS
This test is required in French bulldogs as they can be effected, or a carrier or clear.
BVA vets also may pick this up on a visual test. But it is easier to do the DNA testing.
Symptoms are structural changes in lens protein. Symptoms are changes in eye colour, clumsiness, reluctant to climb, rubbing or scratching eyes.
This effects French Bulldogs
DM - DEGENERATIVE MYOPATHY
This was a required health test in French bulldogs, but the Kennel club have recently removed it from their wording. But we as breeders believe it should be done.
Symptoms are weakness of the hind limbs. worn nails. difficulty standing up, scuffing the hind legs muscle wastage.
This can effect any breed
CY - CYSTINURIA
This is an inherited condition caused by defective transport of amino acid cystine. If not treated causes kidney failure, bladder rupture.
This effects French Bulldogs
Again you want parents to be either both clear, or one a carrier and one a clear. You should not mate two effected or two carriers.
THE FRENCH BULLDOG CLUB
The health scheme run by the French bulldog club of England promotes good welfare and health testing your dogs, and they come up with a scheme. Bronze, Silver, Gold. It is advisable to buy from Silver health tested parents only. To read all about the health scheme click HERE.
We are members of the French bulldog club as we believe in supporting the breed and improving where we can health issues.
The health scheme run by the French bulldog club of England promotes good welfare and health testing your dogs, and they come up with a scheme. Bronze, Silver, Gold. It is advisable to buy from Silver health tested parents only. To read all about the health scheme click HERE.
We are members of the French bulldog club as we believe in supporting the breed and improving where we can health issues.
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