BRACCO ITALIANO

Malcolm Willis (Geneticist) says : Breed not yet numerically strong so
information kn inherited or possible inherited defects are not yet available.
EYES: Occasional cases of ectropion and entropion, inheritance unclear. Can be surgically treated.
SKELETAL: Elbow dysplasia especially
fragmented coronoid process (FCP) type tends to be polygenically
in herited with relatively high heritability (over 40%). Breeders should
continue to place emphasis on hip scores.
OTHER PROBLEMS: Hypothyroidism is sometimes seen and can lead to the destruction of the thyroid gland due to the dog's own immune system attacking the gland. Leads to rough scaly skin hair loss and weight gain.
Mode of inheritance uncertain but may be recessive trait. Liver problems caused by portosystemic shunt tends to intrahepatic type (blood vessels in the liver are abberrant causing abnormal blood circulation and impaired metabolism) Mode of inheritance uncertain. Cerebellar ataxia has been reported and leads to loss of Purkinje's cells of the cerebellum and to abnormal movement and head shaking. Usually lethal and thought to be caused by autosomal recessive trait through genetic cause.

** = Guide to Hereditary and Congenital Diseases in Dogs -
The Assoc. of Veterinarians for Animal Rights - California
**Eclampsia; entropion.

KC Accredited breeders should hip score

Malcolm Willis (Geneticist) says
HIPS : Just over 300 have been tested through the BVA scheme
and the average score is 11 which means the breed is in the best
half of scores but there is no need for complacency and all dogs
to be considered for breeding should be tested prior to mating.
GASTRIC DILATAION VOLVULUS – gdv (Bloat) is caused
by the accumulation of food, fluid or gas in the intestines and the
abdomen becomes distended. The abdomen can twist on itself and
the food cannot be passed through. This is referred to as torsion
and can become fatal very quickly. This is something often
seen in large deep chested breeds (and Dachshunds).
Von Willebrands Disease: - VWD. There are 3 forms in which
there is a deficiency in the blood of the VW factor leading to
something simlar to haemophilia. In some instances it is a dominant
condition and others a recessive one. Puppies should only be bought
from lines that have been tested DNA clear of VWD.
EYE: Opacity of the eye indicative of cataracts which can be
inherited or secondary to another disease. However little is known
on this but parent dogs should have been eye tested before mating
takes place.
OTHER CONDITIONS: Temperament problems seem to be
cropping up in the breed so puppy buyers should meet as many of
the puppy's family members as possible especially the dam and if
not seen enquire about the sire's temperament. If older dogs seem
snappy or nervy avoid purchasing.
EPILEPSY : This seems to be cropping up and the breed clubs are trying to track down the lines where inheritance may be involved . It is occurring in several prominent lines so always ask the breeder to show on pedigree dogs
that have been affected and get them to explain the measures they
have taken to avoid it in their breeding programme.
Visit http://www.ourdogalfie.com to learn of one GWP's owner's
experience.
The GWP Club is currently conducting a health survey
see this link http://www.gwpclub.co.uk/ The response so far has been poor!! If you have a GWP DO take part. All information is treated
confidentially.
** = Guide to Hereditary and Congenital Diseases in Dogs –
The Assoc. of Veterinarians for Animal Rights - California
**Cataract; entropion; hip dysplasia; osteochondritis dissecans; osteochondrosis; retinal dysplasia; subcutaneous cysts; Von Willebrands disease
KC accredited breeders should hip score

SPANIEL  -  AMERICAN COCKER

Malcolm Willis (Geneticist) says that being a numerically small breed
(French) there are not many animals in the UK in which to study problems.
Umbilical and inguinal hernias may be found and the former is inherited. He suggests that small hernias be left alone and operations and breeding decisions should be confined to larger hernias. Cryptorcchidism (undescended testicles) possibly in 1-2%. Hypothyroidism (thyroid ddamaged by dog's own immune system) will sometimes occur.
Entropion will be seen occasionally as will overshot bites and missing teeth. Mode of inheritance in any of these is unclear.
HEART & CIRCULATORY SYSTEMS: Haemophilia A is known in breed and is inherited as a sex link recessive trait found on x chromosome, therefore rarely seen in females although they can be carriers and appear normal. When it does occur is usually due to a mating between normal male to
a carrier female whose status was unknown. The end result would be
half males would be normal and half would have haemophilia although
values could alter in litters. An affected male if bred from will have 100% normal males and 100% carrier females. Males could be used without risk but females who could lead normal lives should not be bred from. The condition varies from mild to severe bleeding resulting in death. Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). This is a heart condition where the blood vessels between the aorta and pulmonary artery fail to close properly after birth.
These vessels are normal in the unborn but if they persist after birth they can cause heart murmurs and can lead to sudden death. PDA is believed inherited and to be polygenic.
SKELETAL- can be affected by hip dysplasia. In Uk 14th worst breed and is only just better than the German Shepherd. Those scoring less than 15 should present no problem to the dog but all dogs should be hip scored. Hip dysplasia is a polygenic trait with inheritance of between 25 and 45 per cent depending on the breed. The inheritance in the Brittany has not yet been defined. Fragmented Coronoid Process (FCP) is part of the elbow dysplasia syndrome and is known in Brittanys and is a polygenic trait with slighly higher inheritance than Hip Dysplasia.
Patella Luxation has been known in the Brittany (kneecap rotates -
usually inwards) because the kneecap is not securely in place.
Usually a feature of smallish breeds and likely to be polygenic
in origin.
EYES - PRA inherited as an autosomal recessive so for it to occur both parents must be carriers. DNA testing for this exists in other breeds but not yet for the Brittany. Lens luxation (lens slips to one side cuasing considerable pain) has been reported in the breed and is recessive trait. Mode of inheritance not established and until established consider as simple recessive. Cataracts and Glaucoma are known in breed but inheritance uncertain. Glaucoma can be primary but in some breeds is merely a symptom of some other problem in the dog.
NEUROLOGICAL DUSEASES: - Epilepsy is known in the Brittany. Males more likely affected than females and usually starts between 15 nd 42 months. American research is suggesting that a major recessive gene linked to some sex effect may be the primary cause of idiopathic epilepsy. Fitting dogs should not be bred from. Cerebella degeneration where the Purkinjes cells of the cerebellum in the brain egenerate and is known in several breeds. Usuall onset is early in life and is seen as lack of coordination (ataxia) and paralysis. Possible autosomal recessive gene and possible later onset in Brittany. Usually fatal. Muscular degeneration (atrophy) of the spine is known in variety of breeds and a form of it has been reported in the Brittany. Can occur in puppyhood resulting in muscle wastage on legs and weakness on all four legs. Thought to be due to degeneration of the neurons of the spinal cord. Inheritance uncertain.
OTHER DEFECTS : Portosystemic shunts of 2 kinds. One in which
the animal is born with extra blood vessels, which allows blood to
bypass the liver. In the second there are abnormal blood vessels
inside the liver which cause abnormal circulation of blood and
incorrect functioning of liver. Brittany reported as having former
which usually necessitates corrective surgery. Mode of inheritance
unclear but constitutes a congenital defect since it is present
from birth. Reports of 2 skin disorder in the Brittany. One is a
deficiency in the immune system rendering the dog more susciptible
to skin disease. The other is Discoid Lupus Erythematosus which
results in scaly skin, pigment loss on the nose, crusting and ulceration.
Also seen in some GSDs albeit rarely and may have a genetic basis.
** = Guide to Hereditary and Congenital Diseases in Dogs –
The Assoc. of Veterinarians for Animal Rights - California
**Cataract; cleft palate; complement deficiency; distichiasis;
Factor VIII deficiency or haemophilia A; Haemophilia A;
hereditary nephritis (Samoyed hereditary glomerulopathy); lens luxation; osteochondritis dissecans; osteochondrosis;  progressive retinal atrophy; retinal dysplasia
KC Accredited breeder should hip score