Beauceron Health
Info about Canine Health Concerns and The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
All About Me
What is Health Testing?
Health testing was implemented to be able to be used as a tool for Breeders to make the best decisions for their dogs, litters, and puppy families. Breeding decisions should weigh heavy on breeders and being able to have results for generations to make educated pairing choices. These are the health concerns with tests available and conditions that the Beauceron is known to be disposed to. Also, some genes are carried or "hidden," meaning the dog does not have signs of it, but if bred with another dog carrying the gene, the offspring can inherit it. This is why it is important to test even seemingly "healthy" dogs so that you know what there is on a deeper level and, what may be passed down. It is important to know the results of each test on both the sire (dad) and the dam (mom) before they are bred. Dogs with clinical signs or symptoms of any of these diseases, or other prominent health conditions, should not be bred.
These conditions are not meant to scare you from the breed or cause you to worry about your pet. It is meant to educate and inform, so the best decisions for the breed and our families can be made. Find breed statistics here.
OFA CHIC Program
The OFA created the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) by partnering with participating parent clubs to research and maintain information on the health issues prevalent in specific breeds. It is an established recommended protocol for breed-specific health screenings. Dogs tested per that protocol are recognized with a CHIC number and certification. The more information stored and accessible in these databases, the better it will be for every breed. And so all breeders are encouraged to attain CHIC Certification if their breed participates in the CHIC program. A dog achieves CHIC Certification if it has been screened for every disease recommended by the parent club for that breed and those results are publicly available in the database. More information can be found here.
Dogs without CHIC numbers can have the exact same health testing. A CHIC number does not separate and ethical breeder from a non-ethical.
The CHIC Program for the Beauceron requires OFA Hip Evaluation, OFA Echocardiogram Exam, and ACVO Eye Exam. The program also recommends OFA Elbow Evaluation, Autoimmune Thyroiditis, and von Willebrand's Disease. More information here. Statistics for testing results with OFA can be found here.
ABC Code of Ethics
The American Beauceorn Club (ABC) Code of Ethics (COE) establishes a standard of conduct to be followed by all members of the ABC in the normal course of owning, exhibiting, judging, breeding and selling Beaucerons. Recognizing the impossibility of covering every situation that may arise, it is the spirit, rather than the letter of the Code that shall apply.
The main emphasis for breeding Beaucerons will be to preserve the herding and working ability and other outstanding qualities of character of this breed, as well as its appearance. Measures should be taken to acquaint the general public with the contents of this Code so that they may not become innocent partners in improper breeding practices, and detrimental use of the Beauceron.
This excerpt from the COE pertains to the health testing requirements of an ethical Beauceron breeder:
"Use breeding stock of sound temperament, with no major hereditary defects, free of parasites and communicable disease All Beaucerons that are to be used for breeding purposes must be free of degenerative joint disease: rated excellent, good or fair by Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, or an equivalent rating as judged by a reputable Veterinarian controlled registry. Breeders will also strongly consider the following tests: an echocardiogram, CERF registration, a recognized Temperament Test and a Brucellosis test."
Svajonė Kennels is a proud COE Breeder of the Beauceron. For the entire COE please find it here.
Hip Dysplasia
Canine Hip Dysplasia typically develops because of an abnormally developed hip joint, but can also be caused by cartilage damage from a traumatic fracture. With cartilage damage or a hip joint that isn’t formed properly, over time the existing cartilage will lose its thickness and elasticity. This breakdown of the cartilage will eventually result in pain with any joint movement.
No one can predict when or even if a dysplastic dog will start showing clinical signs of lameness due to pain. The severity of the disease can be affected by environmental factors, such as caloric intake or level of exercise. There are a number of dysplastic dogs with severe arthritis that run, jump, and play as if nothing is wrong, and some dogs with barely any arthritic x-ray evidence that are severely lame. Find more information here.
Testing
Required for COE and CHIC
Hips can be tested officially after 24 Months of Age with x-rays. Preliminary results can be given for dogs under 24 months. The OFA classifies hips into seven different categories: Excellent, Good, Fair (all within Normal limits), Borderline, and then Mild, Moderate, or Severe (the last three are considered Dysplastic).
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
A disease of the heart muscle which causes the heart to enlarge and not function properly. Typically, both the ventricle (lower chamber) and the atria (upper chamber) enlarge and the ventricle loses its ability to contract and pump blood out to the body or the lungs.
Testing
Required for CHIC, Recommended by COE
The Advanced Cardiac Database examinations results in a two-tiered clearance: congenital cardiac disease and adult-onset cardiac disease. A breed registry number will be issued for any dog found to be normal for cardiac disease (congenital disease and/or adult-onset disease) at 12 months of age or older. The congenital clearances are considered permanent. The adult-onset clearances are valid for one year from the date of the exam. In order for an adult-onset clearance to remain current, exams must be repeated periodically. ALL Advanced Cardiac Exams REQUIRE an ECHO as part of the exam REGARDLESS of breed. Find more information here.
Genetic Eye Disease
Genetic diseases are those that are passed on from parent to offspring through genes that carry the codes for each specific trait. Many of the diseases and disorders that affect the eyes have genetic factors. There are eye diseases in the dog for which there is evidence of a genetic or heritable cause. The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists has listed ten of these diseases as automatic “fails” (this means the affected dog is ineligible to receive an eye certification) because of the significance of the condition to vision and/or the very strong evidence of heritability.
Testing
Required for CHIC, Recommended by COE
The Eye Certification exam consists of indirect ophthalmoscopy and slit lamp biomicroscopy. It is not a comprehensive ocular health examination, but rather an eye screening exam. The exam can be done at any age, but tests only done after 24 months of age will contribute to the CHIC Number. The test must be done annually on active breeding dogs, OFA Eye Certification examinations are screening exams performed by board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists. Find more information here. Svajone Kennels does preform this test.
Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is a general term used to identify an inherited polygenic disease in the elbow. Three specific etiologies make up this disease and they can occur independently or in conjunction with one another: Pathology involving the medial coronoid of the ulna (FCP), Osteochondritis of the medial humeral condyle in the elbow joint (OCD), Ununited anconeal process (UAP). Studies have shown the inherited polygenic traits causing these etiologies are independent of one another. Clinical signs involve lameness which may remain subtle for long periods of time. No one can predict at what age lameness will occur in a dog due to a large number of genetic and environmental factors such as degree of severity of changes, rate of weight gain, amount of exercise, etc. Find more information here.
Recommended and Optional for CHIC
Testing
For elbow dysplasia evaluations for dogs, there are no grades for a radiographically normal elbow. The only grades involved are for abnormal elbows with radiographic changes associated with secondary degenerative joint disease. Like the hip certification, the OFA will not certify a normal elbow until the dog is 2 years of age. The OFA also accepts preliminary elbow radiographs. To date, there are no long-term studies for preliminary elbow examinations like there are for hips; however, preliminary screening for elbows along with hips can also provide valuable information to the breeder. Svajone Kennels does preform this test.
Von Willebrand's Disease
Von Willebrand disease (vWD) is an inherited bleeding disorder resulting from a lack or reduced level of a normal blood clotting protein called von Willebrand factor (vWF). Disease presentation varies from asymptomatic to spontaneous hemorrhaging and prolonged bleeding after injury, surgery, or giving birth. Age of onset varies with some dogs only becoming obvious “bleeders” later in life. Without medical intervention, uncontrolled bleeding can result in death.
Testing
Recommended and Optional for CHIC
Several DNA tests are available to complete the testing and they can submit the results to OFA. Svajone Kennels uses Embark and/or UC Davis. It is an additional fee to submit the results to the OFA database, so please keep in mind that a breeder can provide those results ethically without being submitted to OFA. This is a recessive gene, a carrier can be bred to a non-carrier ethically. Two carriers should never be bred to each other. The results can be:
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Dogs with N/N genotype will not have Von Willebrand disease Type I and cannot transmit this variant to their offspring.
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Dogs with N/vWF genotype may be affected and develop Von Willebrand disease Type I. They will transmit this variant to 50% of their offspring.
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Dogs with vWF/vWF genotype may be affected and develop Von Willebrand disease Type I, a blood clotting disorder, and will transmit this variant to all of their offspring.
Autoimmune Thyroiditis
Autoimmune thyroiditis is the most common cause of primary hypothyroidism in dogs. The disease has variable onset, but tends to clinically manifest itself at 2 to 5 years of age. Dogs may be clinically normal for years, only to become hypothyroid at a later date. The marker for autoimmune thyroiditis, thyroglobulin autoantibody formation, usually occurs prior to the occurrence of clinical signs. With Hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland is not making enough of a hormone called thyroxine that controls metabolism (the process of turning food into fuel). Hypothyroidism causes a wide variety of symptoms, but is often suspected in dogs that have trouble with weight gain or obesity and suffer from hair loss and skin problems. The good news is this disease isn’t life-threatening, it’s easy to diagnose with a blood test, and it’s fairly easy and inexpensive to treat. Treatment is typically a thyroid supplement taken daily.
Testing
Recommended and Optional for CHIC
Each dog is to be examined by an attending veterinarian and have a serum sample sent to an OFA approved laboratory for testing according to the application and general information instructions. The laboratory fee will be determined by the approved laboratory. All OFA forms and the OFA fee are submitted with the sample to the approved lab. Svajone Kennels does not perform this test, we find that this is not a prevalent breed concern at this time and physical symptoms are very obvious if concerned.
Hyperuricosuria
Hyperuricosuria (HUU) is the excessive excretion of uric acid in the urine. This condition can cause the formation of stones in the bladder or kidneys (uroliths), which is uncomfortable and painful. The stones are difficult to treat and often require surgical removal. The condition can become life threatening in males if the urinary tract becomes blocked.
Testing
Breeders can use DNA testing for the HUU mutation as a tool for the selection of mating pairs to avoid producing affected dogs. Since HUU is inherited as an autosomal recessive disease, an affected dog receives one copy of the mutation from its mother and one copy from its father. Dogs with one copy of the HUU mutation are unaffected, but can pass the disease to their offspring. If two HUU carriers are bred to each other, there is a 25% chance of producing affected offspring. The results can be submitted to the OFA database for an additional fee. Please note that breeders may have results to share from the DNA Testing company if not on OFA. Svajone Kennels does perform this test.
Color Testing
The Beauceron breed recognizes two colors, the Black and Rust and the Harlequin. However, historically the breed also had a dilute blue and rust, red and rust, and red harlequin. Several pedigrees carry the gene for these colors and it is important to be knowledgeable for breeding decisions.
Testing
DNA Testing for the Red and Dilute gene can be done with several agencies. Svajone Kennels performs this test with Embark or UC Davis.
Health Q & A
Q: Are these tests really important if the dog appears to be healthy? I just want a pet/family dog.
A: Yes, because what you see on the outside is not necessarily what is on the "inside." The seemingly healthy dog could be a carrier for genetic or non-genetic conditions, despite your breeder's best intentions, or it could have a condition that just has not shown any symptoms yet.
Q: What if a very good veterinarian checks over the dog, and says he/she is healthy to be bred, or that the puppy is healthy, isn't that "good enough?"
A: We are not discrediting good veterinarians, but no vet, by simple examination, can tell you the genetic makeup and underlying conditions of a dog UNLESS they do the actual tests as described above. Several of the tests require specialists and labs.
Q: The breeder says they have done all the health testing. Should I take their word for it or is it rude to ask for proof?
A: This is up to you and you should consider how well you know and trust the breeder. It is never rude to ask for copies of the results though, so don't be afraid to ask! If they have done the tests like they said they have, the breeder should happily provide records and all information on it.
Q: These are all tests for the parents, what health tests should the breeder do on the puppies?
A: The puppies should overall be in good health condition. Any obvious conditions and the puppy should be held back for treatment, care, and special placement if needed. Most of the screenings and tests are for adult dogs only. The genetic DNA tests may be done at any age but the results of the puppies can be determined through parentage sometimes depending on the mating. (For example, a VWD clear to a VWD clear can only result in 100% VWD clear puppies since those are the only genes present in either side. They would not need tested in that scenario. A VWD clear to a VWD carrier will statistically produce 50% clear, 50% carrier, 0% affected. They may need tested to determine which are clear and which are carrier, but no risk for clinical signs of the disease exists so testing may or may not be warranted by the breeder. A Carrier to a carrier could result in 25% clear, 50% carrier, and 25% affected). The risk for potential effected DNA diseases warrants testing by the breeder.
Q: Some breeders believe that Grade I elbows are within the “normal” range, much like Fair hips are considered to be within the normal range. What is the OFA’s position on this?
A: The OFA’s distinction between normal and abnormal elbows is actually more clearly defined than are the differences between fair and borderline hips. Elbows are diagnosed as dysplastic when evidence of Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) is present as evidenced by osteophytes or sclerosis. It is not a gradual continuum from normal to abnormal, in which minor differences might be interpreted as normal by one reader and abnormal by another. The degree of DJD present is the determining factor in the grade of dysplasia.
The term “degenerative joint disease” is often misunderstood and misinterpreted. “Degenerative” is defined as some distinct change from a normal state to a diseased state. It does not imply a continuing process in which the disease will progress and worsen continuously over time, and it is incorrect to assume that a dog with Grade I ED will eventually develop Grade II or III ED. It is also important to understand that DJD is a finding which aids in the diagnosis of elbow dysplasia, but the DJD itself is the secondary result of one or more of three distinct etiologies that make up the generalized description of elbow dysplasia. These are united anconeal process (UAP), fragmented coronoid process (FCP), and Osteochondrosis (OCD) which may appear singularly or in combination.
Q: Most elbow reports seem to only have DJD marked as the finding. How do we know whether the dog has UAP, OCD, or FCP? Don’t we need to know this to make breeding decisions?
A: The OFA does not participate in the decision process whether or not to breed an animal. However, the OFA strongly believes it is extremely important that breeders know and disclose the status of dogs’ elbows regardless of whether the final decision is to breed or not. Only through complete and openly discussed knowledge of disease status will breeders have the information they need to make good breeding decisions. Ununited anconeal process (UAP), Osteochondrosis (OCD) and fragmented medial coronoid process (FCP) have all been identified as part of the degenerative joint disease (DJD) complex referred to as elbow dysplasia. In most cases, when only DJD is marked on the OFA report, it can be assumed that lesions associated with coronoid process disease are present. This accounts for the majority of ED. There are several theories about the genetics of ED. Some research has suggested that there may be a single underlying cause for all three forms of ED (2, 3), but other research suggests that the diseases may be inherited separately (4). Breeders have often misinterpreted the OFA’s statement that DJD is not an inherited disease to mean that ED is not inherited. To clarify, DJD results from ED, but DJD itself is not inherited. However, multiple current studies (1, 4, 5) have all concluded that the heritability of ED (defined as UAP, FCP, or OCD) is moderate to high. This means that breeding selections can have a significant impact on the rate of ED in a breed. As referenced in an earlier question, studies (1) have shown that as the frequency of ED increases in a breed population, there is a corresponding percentage increase of dogs affected with more moderate to severe (Grades II and III) cases of ED (1).