Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
This is a hereditary heart defect which can be detected in very young puppies – usually around 5-6 weeks of age. As such, breeders are able to make sure that the dogs are treated very early on and of course buyers can be informed. However it is one of the main health problems in the breed and focus is now firmly on working out how to prevent it in the future; possibly through DNA testing.
Cerebral dysfunction
This is a genetic mutation that causes a neurological problem in puppies – discovered first in 2009. It manifests itself around the age of 6 weeks when the puppies begin deviant and compulsive behaviours: repeating the same movement, circling, backwards or walking back and forth. Sufferers have an excessive urge to move, eat poorly, become emaciated and die within a few months.
In April 2015, the genetic markers for this condition were discovered and it is now possible to test parent to prevent sufferers from being born again.
Cerebral Dysfunction is a single recessive inherited disorder. This means that puppies only get symptoms when both the father and the mother have the mutation. With such a limited gene pool, this test means that we no longer have to exclude dogs with valuable genetic properties that are simply carriers because we are able to mate them with certified non-carriers. Over time we can hopefully eliminate the condition entirely from our breed.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a recurrent seizure disorder which can be genetic. As such, we are keeping a close eye on it to ensure dogs which might be carrying the gene are only bred to dogs that are less likely to. For example, a dog whose brother or aunt suffers from epilepsy will not be allowed to mate with a dog that shares a similar family history. Please note: dogs can suffer a single or few seizures due to a other causes such as drugs, heat stroke or injury.
Radius Curvus
A developmental deformity of the foreleg which is genetically conditioned e.g. it can potentially be eliminated through selective breeding.
