Australian Shepherd Dog (may carry the mdr-1 gene -
important to test)
KC registrations: 1993=0; 94=315; 95=102; 96=69;
97=32; 98=68; 99=65; 2000=52; 01=87; 02=84; 03=84;
04=66; 05=41; 06=54; 07=113; 08=48; 09=47; 0=135;
11=142; 2012=124;
HIPS to 31/10/11=650 in breed scored; range 2-71;
mean score = 9
fairly good hips; borderline hip dysplasia; serious hip dysplasia
Buy puppies from parents with scoress less than the
mean score

Eye problem under investigation.  Some have tailless gene
KC DNA testing scheme 2009: CEA/CH and prcd-PRA
Optigen, (HC-HSF - same gene in Boston and
Staffordshire Terriers and French Bulldogs),
AHT,

Geneticists say it carries the merle gene
(as do Rough Collies, Dachshunds, Great Danes). Merle is
patches of grey on the coat and this is caused by the genetic
combination of Mm, i.e. they are heterozygous for the (M)
allele. Most breeds do not carry merle and all members of the
breed are mm. In breeds where the M allele exists it is possible
to create MM individuals when two Mm animals are mated.
The MM combination gives rise to deaf white dogs, often with
eye defects such as small and impaired vision. If one does
not mate Mm to Mm this this homozygous state cannot
occur. That being said there is some German research
undertaken on Dachshunds (where merle is described as
dapple) that even Mm animals can in a high proportion
have some impairment of vision and hearing. Therefore it is
argued that, despite the attractiveness of merle, the colour is
undesirable. Not all merles are implicated with this gene but
as some are it suggests caution with this gene.
Skeletal Some cases of Australian Shephered Lethal Skeletal
Defect syndrome. Genetic origin unknown but can cause cleft
palate, shortened muzzle and as it is lethal it is therefore self
limiting. It is rare. Patella luxation (dislocation of kneecap)
is known as is OCD .
Dogs can also suffer from Panosteitis leading to lameness in
puppies but most recover at about 12 months. Dwarfism is
known and thought to be X-linked recessive but again rare.
Some A. S dogs are born without tails - condition known as
"bobtail". This is becoming less common and is not desirable
(see above).
Eyes: Coming from its sheepdog origins, the breed does have
Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) a recessive trait and is present from birth.
It also has Cataracts, Glaucoma, PRA and Lens Luxation. The latter
two are autosomal recessive traits but the mode of inheritance
of the former two is not clear in this breed. Eye testing for
CEA in early life is desirable and annual tests are
recommended for the other problems. DNA tests available
for PRA and CEA. CEA and PRA are both recessive and
inherited from both parents
Persistent Pipillary membranes where membrane fails to
clear at birth. Juvenile cataracts are serious problem in breed
HSF4 gene test detects early onset. Can be inherited from just one parent. Parents need to be tested clear.
Heart defects: Heart diseases are known in most breeds and
the Aussie is no exception although rare. Some get Patent
Ductus Arteriosus, Persistent Right Aortic Arch (also known
to be in German Shepherds and can give rise to sickness from
about 5 weeks of age and can be identified by x-ray) and
Pulmonic Stenosis where the pulmonary artery is narrowed close
to the heart and gives rise to heart murmur and enlargement of right
side of heart. All these are likely to be spotted early in the dog's life. Another rare problem is Portosystemic shunt where dogs are born with extra vessels which permit blood to bypass the liver - it usually required surgical correction.
Glandular: Hypothyroidism causes symmetrical hair loss in some
and coat becomes greasy. Lethargy and slow heart rate. Can
be treated.
Neurological: Epilepsy in small number -onset from one year onwards.
More common are tremors particularly in back legs.
Other: Hip and elbow dysplasia and arthritis affect some Aussies.
BUYERS make sure parents have been tested and are below
score of 9. Elbows ZERO.
Intervertebral disc disease and patellar luxation (kneecap) can occur
but not comon.
Misplaced teeth, undershot jaw and umbilical hernias are known and
should be looked for when puppy buying.
Cobalamin malabsorption (gut does not reabsorb vit B12) currently
rare and is recessively inherited. Causes loss of apetite failure to
grow and anaemia in young pups inheriting mutant gene from
both parents. DNA test available at PennGen Animal Diagnostics
Cancers: lymph gland and spleen are fairly frequent cause of death but most at 12-14 years but sometimes young dogs are affected (1yr-5yrs)

Life span usually mid to late teens.

Of greatest concern is the merle x merle mating and it is
necessary to ensure that these are not made as they will give
rise to serious life-style impairment problems as stated above.

** = Guide to Hereditary and Congenital Diseases in Dogs –
The Assoc. of Veterinarians for Animal Rights – California
**Cataract; cleft palate; Collie eye anomaly; deafness;
dwarfism; hip dysplasia; hypothyroidism; microphthalmia;
multiple colobomata; osteo chondritis dissecans;
osteo chondrosis; persistent pupillary membrane;
progressive retinal atrophy; retinal detachment;
retinal dysplasia; spina bifida; umbilical hernia; vitiligo;
Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome; Von Willebrand's
disease.
also see Australian Shepherd Health and Genetics Institute (USA)

KC Accredited breeders should hip score
From 1/7/07 KC registered breeders will move on to Schedule A for
hereditary cataract (HC)                                                                                              

Health Survey for the KC undertaken by conscientious
breeders/owners of ASs see :- http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download/1503/h
saustralianshepherd.pdf
NB This breed can carry the mdr-1 gene and should be
tested for it as certain drugs can kill or make them very ill
see this page for full details of drugs concerned http://www.laboklin.co.uk/laboklin/showGeneticTest.jsp?test
ID=8032
http://anti-dockingalliance.co.uk/oes_1.htm
mdr-1 labs
PLEASE GET THEM TESTED!

ASClubUK - the following tests are available
Pelger Huet anomaly
Cone degeneration Test
Canine multi-focal retinopathy
Hyperuricosuria (HUU)

CORGI WELSH PEMBROKE (PASTORAL GROUP)
KC registrations: 1993=1274; 94=1036; 95=941; 96=841; 97=812; 98=627;
99=606; 2000=647; 01=601; 02=518;03=559; 04=618; 05=491; 06=533;
07=471; 08=464; 09=329; 10=363; 11=371; 2012=333
HIPS to 31/10/11=30 in breed scored; range 9-58;
mean score = 24
fairly good hips; borderline hip dysplasia; serious hip dysplasia
Buy puppies from parents with scoress less than the
mean score
No problems known to breeders. Some have tailless gene. 
Check for temperament.
** = Guide to Hereditary and Congenital Diseases in Dogs –
The Assoc. of Veterinarians for Animal Rights - California
**Cataract; cervical disc disease; corneal dystrophy; cutaneous asthenia;
cystinuria; dystosia; epilepsy; hypothyroidism; lens luxation; persistent
pupillary membrane; progressive retinal atrophy; retinal dysplasia;
Von Willebrand's diseaseCanine Epilepsy Support Group –
Mrs. Anne Morley, Helpline 08707 469 329

Health Survey for the KC undertaken by conscientious breeders/owners
of WPCs see :-
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download/1639/hswelshcorgipembroke.pdf

This breed can produce short-tailed puppies.  Malcolm Willis
Geneticist  has said 'Always be careful about buying a puppy born
with a short tail (tail-less/bobtail)

  In Manx cats the homozygous state is lethal; there are no tail-less
dog breeds. Short-spined dogs have been found in Japan but it is
likely that these are "manufacturing defects" thrown up after
something goes wrong during pregnancy.  A lot of spinal
problems do occur in dogs.'

Dr. Leigh Anne Clark , Assistant Professor (Canine Genetics) at
Clemson University is working on EPI ( Exocrine Pancreatic
Insufficiency ) Genetic Research and needs your help.
If you don't have a corgi with EPI, please read and pass this 
lifesaving brochure to other corgi owners. If you have a corgi with EPI,
Dr Clark is looking to collect DNA samples from purebred corgis, as well
as purebred Labrador retrievers. EPI corgi owners can contact
Jacquelyn Evans at  jacquee@clemson.edu to obtain free cheek swabs,
instructions, consent form, pre-addressed stamped envelope to Dr Clark's
lab at Clemson University.

For more info on EPI

HD average (21) Figure in brackets is breed average
hip score
HD – fairly good hips; HD – borderline hip dysplasia;
HD – serious hip dysplasia
Parents should be eye tested and hip scored; Torsion;
Umbilical herniae; skin problems (including Cheyletiella
mites "walking dandruff" and- Sebaceous Adenitis
consult Vet about treatment as some treatments include
Ivermectin, Acerpromazine and other products that can be
harmful to carriers of the MDR-1 gene: ;
entropion; check for temperament

Malcolm Willis (Geneticist) says elbow dysplasia
particularly luxation of the radius at upper end of bone
may well be inherited at a relatively high level. 1,395
dogs by 2004 hip scored average = 19.68; advises not
to breed above 30; since 1995 there
has been a decline in submissions leaving the breed
open to risk as it ranks high on hip dysplasia.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) usual onset about
4yrs old believed to be inherited as simple recessive.
Early onset congenital hereditary cataracts. Second type
cataract later in onset but no earlier than 9 months,
inheritance unknown. Multiple ocular defects which
may include cataracts, persistent pupillary membranes,
retinal defects and small eyes - mostly seen from birth,
genetics currently unknown. Blood - can suffer from
haemophilia B (Christmas disease) - sex linked but
rarer than haemophilia A - affects factor IX not VIII
(as in Haemophilia A). Almost always affects males.
Immune-mediated thrombocytopaenia fairly common
and leads to immune system attacking blood platelets.
Inheritance unclear. Haemolytic anaemia can affect
middle-aged dogs and some younger,
causes mild to severe anaemia though some respond
to treatment - inheritace unclear. Cancers - sweat gland
tumours and higher than normal brain tumours usually
in older dogs (9+). Nasal cavity carcinomas often older
dogs - inheritance unknown. Other conditions:- dilated
cardiomyopathy where heart has larger chamber size, a
thinner heart wall and reduced heartbeat power - may
be genetic but not so in all cases. Testicular descent
(cryptorchidism) and also dental problems possibly
related to complex genetic basis. Hypothyroidism.
2009 - recessive gene defect causing respiratory disease
in puppies dying before 6 months. Univ of Liege are
studying and working on a respiratory disease affecting
Old English Sheepdog (OES) puppies called primary ciliary
dyskinesia (PCD). Thanks to the help of several breeders
we were not only able to identify the responsible mutation
of PCD in OES but also to develop a genetic test
determining the genetic status of the dog (healthy, carrier
or affected). We will be able to start testing blood samples
from OES from January 2010. The price will be 50 Euros.
You may already send Liege University blood samples
from the dogs you wish to know the status (healthy, carrier
or affected). Here is the address to use:
LUPA Project - PCD, Unité de génomique Animale
Avenue de l'hôpital, 1 B34
4000 Liège Belgique

** = Guide to Hereditary and Congenital Diseases in Dogs -
The Assoc. of Veterinarians for Animal Rights - California
**Addison's Disease; Cataract; Demodicosis; Distichiasis;
Entropion; Factor X deficiency; Folliculitis; Granulomatous
sebaceous Adenitis; Haemolytic Anaemia; Haemophilia B;
Hip Dysplasia; Hypoadrenocorticism; Hypopigmentation lip
and nose; Hypothyroidism; Intestinal Malabsorbtiuon;
Lymphocytic thyroiditis; Osteochondritis dissecans;
Osteochondrosis; Pododermatitis; Progressive retinal
atrophy; Retinal detachment; Retinal dysplasia;
Sebaceous adenitis; Spondyiolisthesis (Wobbler's
Syndrome); Thrombocytopenia; Thyroiditis;Vitiligo;
von Willebrand's disease.
KC Accredited breeders should hip score and eye test
MORE INFO ON OES
NB This breed (Shepherds) can carry the
mdr-1 gene and can get severe if not fatal
drug re-action to certain drugs. See this link
below for detailed information
mdr-1 labs PLEASE GET THEM TESTED!
http://www.laboklin.co.uk/laboklin/showGeneticTest.jsp?testID=8032
http://anti- dockingalliance.com/oes-1.htm

Health Survey for the KC undertaken by conscientious
breeders/owners of OES see :-
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download/1604/hsoldenglishsheepdog.pdf

BANNED for 5 years in 2006 from keeping dogs. 
Langdale Wilcox (70) Peterborough and Phillip Wilcox (40)
Somersham. Old English Sheepdog bitch (Molly) had large
mammry tumour and no Vet attention sought, a matted coat
and also joint problems for probably 6 months

Consider  Rescue Mrs Pagan 01245 320488 - 500-700 a year
in rescue!!!!

HD average (17) Figure in brackets is breed average hip score
HD – fairly good hips; HD – borderline hip dysplasia; HD – serious hip dysplasia . 
Mitral valve disease.  Syringomyelia -. check this out on http://www.thecavalierclub.co.uk   Heart testing
recommended.  Parents and puppies should be eye tested...
Cavalier Breed Club see http://www.thecavalierclub.co.uk
has puppy register tel 01490 430554

The Kennel Club from 2007 are restricting the registration of colours of
puppies that are genetically incompatible with those of their parents.
Only Blenheims may be registered where the dam and sire are both
recorded as Blenheim as this is the only possible outcome.

TAIL STANDARD 2007 - Length of tail in balance  with body, well set on,
carried happily but never much above the level of the back.  Docking
previously optional when no more than one third was to be removed. .
Parents and puppies should be eye tested;   (syringomyelia check this out on http://www.thecavalierclub.co.uk ) 
Check for temperaments

Malcolm Willis (geneticist) notes:- There are a number of inherited
problems
HEART: Endocardiosis (mitral valve disease) is very common around 20%.
Over half aged four plus have a heart problem. Possibly inherited but not
proven. Patent ductus arteriosus is common in dogs which is in the
unborn and through to adult. Not always deleterious but can be a killer.
Thought to be polygenetic inheritance. (ADA = All dogs should be
screened so only buy from a breeder who can show the official results of
screening. done through the CKCS Club) . EYES: Entropion - in-turned
eyelids also likely to inherited. Distichiasis (abnormal eyelid growth)
probably inherited. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (lack of tear production)
can be found in this breed. Causes drying of eye and corneal inflammation.
Can be caused by infection, result of medication or inherited. Cataracts
can become complete in the young adult and is likely to be inherited.
Also multifocal retinal dysplasia is congenital and inherited as autosomal
recessive. Progressive retinal atrophy is common in all dogs and can
be found in Cavaliers as late as 5 yrs old. Thought to be autosomal recessive.  
(ADA = Parent dogs should have BVA/KC/SDS eye test certificates).
EPILEPSY . -Idiopathic/primary epilepsy is seen in the breed and probably
inherited although the way in which it is inherited has not yet become clear.
SYRINGOMYELIA - common in the breed. Fluid filled cavities form
in spinal cord perceived to be a change in the flow of cerebrospinal fluid.
Usually found between 6 and 24 months it can also occur later. Clinical
symptoms include scratching around neck, ears, shoulder or chest and
will will sometimes scratch on the move without making contact. Creates
pain sometimes in the neck.
Research is currently being undertaken in this by Vets.

** = Guide to Hereditary and Congenital Diseases in Dogs –
The Assoc. of Veterinarians for Animal Rights - California
**Cardio myopathy; cataract; corneal dystrophy; diabetes mellitus;
distichiasis; entropion; hypothyroidism; keratitis sicca; microphthalmia;
patellar luxation; progressive retinal atrophy; retinal dysplasia;
thrombocytopaenia;

EPILEPSY – If you have experienced epilepsy in Cavaliers please contact  Bet 
Hargreaves  who is researching the condition 1 Boat Road, Thankerton , Biggar. 
ML12 6NUCanine Epilepsy Support Group – Mrs. Anne Morley, Helpline
08707 469 329

Canine Epilepsy Support Group – Mrs. Anne Morley,
Helpline 08707 469 329

KC Accredited breeders should eye test and heart test as recommended by
Breed Club   2007 test for mitral valve dysplasia

Health Survey for the KC undertaken by conscientious breeders/owners of
CKCSs see :-
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download/1533/hscavalierkingcharles
spaniel.pdf

SPANIEL  -  KING CHARLES

Dr Malcolm Willis (Geneticist) says:- Possible cleft palate leading to
euthanasia. Rare defect patella luxation (kneecap twisted out of normal
location) believed inherited. Possible hip dysplasia but no KCS has
been hip scored. As it is short muzzled with a domed skull may be prone
to hydrocephalus and emlargement of the head has been
reported in the breed. Eyes - cataracts and retinal dysplasia have been
reported abroad and likelihood of entropion. Heart and spinal defects -
mitral and syringomyelia. Mitral valve disease (MVD) can cause coughing,
lethargy and occasional collapse and death. Syringomyelia leads to
cavities in the spinal cord which fill with fluid; dog may become paralysed
at rear end or may stand very wide at the rear and scratching of the
shoulder is very common. Probably inherited with a recessive
autosomal explanation suspected but not proven. The heart condition
patus ductus arteriosis (PDA) is found and possibly more common
that MVD. Can lead to heart murmurs and sudden death complex way.
Other defects such as minor hernias. Cryptorchidism (one or both
testicles not descending) is seen occasionally.
Diabetes mellitus occurs on rare occasions and appears inherited and may
prove to be a simple Mendelian trait.
** = Guide to Hereditary and Congenital Diseases in Dogs –
The Assoc. of Veterinarians for Animal Rights - California
**cataract; cleft palate; corneal dystrophy; diabetes mellitus; entropion;
hanging tongue; patellar luxation; retinal dysplasia; umbilical hernia

Health Survey for the KC undertaken by conscientious breeders/owners
of KCs see :- None Done!

Check for temperaments
Malcolm Willis (Geneticist) says numerically small breed Skeletal :
congenital shoulder luxation(now seems to be under control with few cases
appearing) EYES: some eye conditions have appeared in the breed.
Pannus (aka chronic superficial keratitis) a progressive inflammatory
disease of cornea (pigmentation of the cornea follows inflammation)
Corneal dystrophy (not inflammatory) This may be inherited but no
evidence as yet. Glaucoma affecting oiptic nerve. Some eye conditions
such as lens luxation and cataracts sometime bring glaucoma as
secondary. Cataract is opacity of the lens partial or complete. If they
are primary, genetic cause is likely or if secondary due to inflammation
of the eye of from various metabolic diseases. Diabetes Mellitus:
Due to lack of insulin and can occur from 4 years upwards with a peak
in middle age 7-9 years. Seems to be more prevalent in elderly entire
females. The condition can be treated successfully. Dermatological
Disorder s: Colour dilution/alopaecia results in loss of hair in
blue or fawn Pinschers as coat colour is inherited and the genes that come
with these colours produce hair loss Pattern baldness is almost certainly inherited
and found in various breeds. Addison's disease : aka Hypoadrenocorticism or
adrenal insufficiency. It is an endocrine disorder
which is similar to other conditions making it difficult to diagnose. Dogs
may lose appetite, become listless, vomit and have diarrhoea, hind limb
lameness or muscle weakness etc
When diagnosed a dog can live a normal life. The Breed Club is hoping
to set up an open register where breeders can report cases of the disease
to help research

Health Survey for the KC undertaken by conscientious breeders/owners of
MPs see :- None done!