What genetic health testing do you do? What is it called and what is it testing for? What breed do you have and why do you test for it?
Thanks!
Yes I know of them, just interested to know what breeders test for and what breeds and why.
Do you do the tests on just the dogs you breed or the pups before also before they go to new homes? (not the OFA ones because I know they have to be 2 years old at least)
APBT and Rottweiler Health Testing:
I do not breed but I do have some knowledge to assist me when buying outside of a rescue. It also helps me keep breeders reputable. The following health testing is not specific to just APBT’s or Rottweilers as most diseases are not exclusive to just one specific breed.
True health-testing is in depth and seeks to identify carriers of crippling and increasingly common genetic diseases that are affecting our purebred dogs. Health-testing is a tool to help breed away diseases from the dogs that are carrying them.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) offers tests for hips, elbows, patellas (kneecaps), cardiac, thyroid, eyes, hearing, shoulders, some skin diseases, and a hip disorder commonly affecting small dogs. They also offer DNA testing. PennHip is another organization that offers hip testing, utilizing different methods than the OFA.
Hips are probably the top concern then cardiac, elbows and patellas are also important to a working breed and the remaining as above noted above.
The working drive and pain threshold is so high in this breed that afflicted dogs may work their hearts out without ever giving any indicator that they are unsound.
The APBT ranks 27th out of 142 breeds for hip dysplasia. 22.2% of our breed is dysplastic, versus only 4.8% excellent. That number is up more than 7% since 1990. (The AmStaff’s percentage of hip dysplasia dropped 9% during that same period.)
The APBT ranks 15th out of 82 breeds for elbow dysplasia. 14% of tested dogs are dysplastic.
Rottweiler Health Testing: (Same as above with the following)
A reputable breeder will have the hips and elbows of all breeding stock x-rayed and read by a recognized specialist. They will have paperwork to prove it.
They will also have certificates that their breeding animals do not have Entropian or Ectropian and that they have full and complete dentition with a scissor bite.
As with any species, hereditary conditions do occur in some lines. Potential purchasers should question breeders about any history of hereditary disease in their lines.
If over fed and /or under exercised Rottweiler’s are one of the breeds most prone to obesity. Some of the consequences of obesity can be very serious: arthritis, breathing difficulties, diabetes, heart failure, reproductive problems, skin disease, reduce resistance to disease and overheating caused by the thick jacket of fat under the skin
Ego, reputable breeders do health testing to “Better the Breed”!