An over view of breed specific hereditary diseases and the preferred methods of screening for each of these diseases.
Following is a list of some of the canine diseases that have been documented as being problematic within the Boxer Breed (worldwide). It is evident from this list that our boxers can suffer from a number of ailments (as can any other breed or cross breed of dog). Some of these diseases are more problematic then others - with appropriate screening and testing some can be eliminated.
Aortic Stenosis/Sub-aortic Stenosis: AS/SAS
Is the most common heart condition found in Boxers and is hereditary. Mode of inheritance is not currently known.
Aortic Stenosis is the narrowing of the aorta located below the aortic valve. This forces the heart to work harder to supply blood to the body. Fainting and sudden death can occur when blood flow is reduced.
Aortic Stenosis is the heart condition most commonly associated with heart murmurs - cases of pulmonic stenosis have also been found to cause them.
It should be noted that minor 'flow' murmurs are commonly found in young Boxer puppies, as in other breeds, but most disappear by about 16 weeks of age. Even if murmurs persist there may be no cause for alarm if they are quiet. Such genuine 'flow' murmurs are not associated with heart disease in the adult.
Alternatively, a puppy at 8 weeks may be cleared of AS/SAS but by maturity could develop a serious murmur. Recently it has been recommended that dogs be checked again after 24 months of age as murmurs have been known to develop after sexual maturity. It should be noted that murmurs do not necessarily affect the health in the majority (95%) of dogs.
If a Boxer is diagnosed with a heart murmur or any heart condition other than a genuine puppy 'flow' murmur, referral to a Specialist Veterinary Cardiologist is essential.
An echocardiogram/doppler ultrasound is the recommended method of screening for AS/SAS.
If a dog has been diagnosed with AS/SAS the breeder should be immediately informed and any severely affected dogs should be removed from any further breeding.
Aortic Stenosis is the narrowing of the aorta located below the aortic valve. This forces the heart to work harder to supply blood to the body. Fainting and sudden death can occur when blood flow is reduced.
Aortic Stenosis is the heart condition most commonly associated with heart murmurs - cases of pulmonic stenosis have also been found to cause them.
It should be noted that minor 'flow' murmurs are commonly found in young Boxer puppies, as in other breeds, but most disappear by about 16 weeks of age. Even if murmurs persist there may be no cause for alarm if they are quiet. Such genuine 'flow' murmurs are not associated with heart disease in the adult.
Alternatively, a puppy at 8 weeks may be cleared of AS/SAS but by maturity could develop a serious murmur. Recently it has been recommended that dogs be checked again after 24 months of age as murmurs have been known to develop after sexual maturity. It should be noted that murmurs do not necessarily affect the health in the majority (95%) of dogs.
If a Boxer is diagnosed with a heart murmur or any heart condition other than a genuine puppy 'flow' murmur, referral to a Specialist Veterinary Cardiologist is essential.
An echocardiogram/doppler ultrasound is the recommended method of screening for AS/SAS.
If a dog has been diagnosed with AS/SAS the breeder should be immediately informed and any severely affected dogs should be removed from any further breeding.
Pulmonic Stenosis: PS
is a congenital narrowing in the region of the pulmonary valve, which lies between the right ventricular chamber of the heart and the pulmonary artery. As part of the normal circulation of the heart, the right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs to receive oxygen. The oxygenated blood flows back to the left side of the heart from which it is pumped out to the rest of the body.
With pulmonic stenosis, there is partial obstruction of normal blood flow, most commonly due to a malformation of the pulmonic valve (Pulmonic Valve Dysplasia), but the abnormality my be immediately above or below the valve as well.
The effect of this partial obstruction is to force the heart to work harder to pump blood to the lungs. The extent to which a dog will be affected depends on the degree of narrowing (stenosis) of the valve area. With severe stenosis, the dog will likely develop congestive heart failure due to the increased workload of the heart. An enlarged heart is the consequence of pulmonic stenosis.
If a Boxer is diagnosed with a heart murmur or any heart condition other than a genuine puppy 'flow' murmur, referral to a Specialist Veterinary Cardiologist is essential.
An echocardiogram/doppler ultrasound is the recommended method of screening for PS.
If a dog has been diagnosed with PS the breeder should be immediately informed and any severely affected dogs should be removed from any further breeding.
With pulmonic stenosis, there is partial obstruction of normal blood flow, most commonly due to a malformation of the pulmonic valve (Pulmonic Valve Dysplasia), but the abnormality my be immediately above or below the valve as well.
The effect of this partial obstruction is to force the heart to work harder to pump blood to the lungs. The extent to which a dog will be affected depends on the degree of narrowing (stenosis) of the valve area. With severe stenosis, the dog will likely develop congestive heart failure due to the increased workload of the heart. An enlarged heart is the consequence of pulmonic stenosis.
If a Boxer is diagnosed with a heart murmur or any heart condition other than a genuine puppy 'flow' murmur, referral to a Specialist Veterinary Cardiologist is essential.
An echocardiogram/doppler ultrasound is the recommended method of screening for PS.
If a dog has been diagnosed with PS the breeder should be immediately informed and any severely affected dogs should be removed from any further breeding.
Tricuspid Valvular Disease: TVD
In the canine, the tricuspid valve is made up of two irregularly shaped flaps composed of connective tissue. The tissue of the flaps is connected to the papillary muscle of the ventricle by tendon-like cords called chordae tendineae. As the right atrium contracts, blood passes through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle. When the ventricle contracts, some blood flows backward, pushing upward against the flaps of the valve causing them to meet and form a barrier which prohibits the blood from re-entering the upper chamber. The chordae tendineae prevent the flaps from opening backward into the atrium which would break the seal and thus allowing back flow of the blood.
During embryonic development, the flaps of the tricuspid valve are adhered to the wall of the ventricle and cellular degeneration must occur to free the flaps. When this cellular degeneration fails to take place, the flaps remain secured to the ventricular wall preventing proper function of the valve. Yhis malformation of the valve is known as tricuspid valve dysplasia and results in regurgitation of blood back into the atrium. This abnormal blood flow increases the work load of the right-side of the heart resulting in enlargement of the right atrium and ventricle which eventually leads to right-sided congestive heart failure.
Although TVD is a congenital disorder, meaning that the condition is present from birth, many puppies with TVD do not show any clinical symptoms and appear healthy. Eventually, a cardiac murmur is detected upon examination or the dog may suddenly develop signs of right-sided congestive heart failure: fluid retention, cool extremities and exercise intolerance.
If a Boxer is diagnosed with a heart murmur or any heart condition other than a genuine puppy 'flow' murmur, referral to a Specialist Veterinary Cardiologist is essential.
An echocardiogram/doppler ultrasound is the recommended method of screening for TVD.
If a dog has been diagnosed with TVD the breeder should be immediately informed and any severely affected dogs should be removed from any further breeding.
During embryonic development, the flaps of the tricuspid valve are adhered to the wall of the ventricle and cellular degeneration must occur to free the flaps. When this cellular degeneration fails to take place, the flaps remain secured to the ventricular wall preventing proper function of the valve. Yhis malformation of the valve is known as tricuspid valve dysplasia and results in regurgitation of blood back into the atrium. This abnormal blood flow increases the work load of the right-side of the heart resulting in enlargement of the right atrium and ventricle which eventually leads to right-sided congestive heart failure.
Although TVD is a congenital disorder, meaning that the condition is present from birth, many puppies with TVD do not show any clinical symptoms and appear healthy. Eventually, a cardiac murmur is detected upon examination or the dog may suddenly develop signs of right-sided congestive heart failure: fluid retention, cool extremities and exercise intolerance.
If a Boxer is diagnosed with a heart murmur or any heart condition other than a genuine puppy 'flow' murmur, referral to a Specialist Veterinary Cardiologist is essential.
An echocardiogram/doppler ultrasound is the recommended method of screening for TVD.
If a dog has been diagnosed with TVD the breeder should be immediately informed and any severely affected dogs should be removed from any further breeding.
Arrhythmia Right Ventricle Cardiomyopathy: ARVC
(commonly referred to and previously known as Boxer Cardiomyopathy-BCM) is peculiar to Boxers and is a totally different disease then the dilated cardiomyopathy commonly seen in some other breeds.
ARVC/BCM is an inherited condition with devastating consequences.
It is thought, by some and questioned by many, a dominant single gene is responsible for ARVC/BCM and means that only one parent is responsible for passing on this disease to puppies in a litter. The gene has a variable penetrance, meaning that clinical signs of disease do not always develop when the gene is present. The lack of clinical signs of ARVC/BCM in some dogs makes it appear to skip generations which we know is NOT the case.
ARVC/BCM is an electrical problem within the heart which causes the heart to beat erratically (arrhythmia) which can result in weakness, collapse and most often sudden death - this can happen at any age. Arrhythmia is extremely difficult to detect when listening to the heart with a stethoscope which is usually done at a routine veterinary examination. Most often a stethoscope will only detect ARVC/BCM when irregular beats are occurring with great frequency. An echocardiogram will NOT detect ARVC/BCM either.
Recently released is a DNA test available that identifies a (one) mutant gene believed to be responsible for causing ARVC/BCM. However researchers at Washington State University have clearly stated that the DNA test on offer is by no means conclusive and are suggesting there could be many mutant genes responsible for causing ARVC.
In the event of a negative result researchers have said -
'The absence of the mutant gene in a dog, DOES NOT mean that it will never develop the disease. It means that it does not have the only known mutation that can cause the disease in the dog at this time.
In the event of a positive result -
'Dogs that are positive for the test will NOT NECESSARILY develop significant heart disease and die from the disease'.
Researchers go on to say
'We do not yet know if this is the only mutation in the Boxer or if there will be many different mutations. Please keep in mind that we are continually learning about this disease and recommendations will be altered as we obtain more information. At present annual holter monitoring is recommended to continue until such time the DNA test is proven to give a definitive diagnosis'.
*Updates from Dr Kerstin Lindblad-Toh at the Broad Institute - see below
update as at October 2009
Boxer Study: ARVC by Dr Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
'Together with Dr Meurs at Washington State University we have searched the boxer genome for risk factors for cardiomyopathy. We have found several candidate loci, and have found a mutation in a gene at one of these loci. This gene has a relevant function and we can see that the protein's function is affected by the mutation. A paper describing this finding has been submitted for publication. Dr Meurs is now offering a test and together we are following up to see if we can find additional genes with mutations to fully explain the risk factors involved in the disease'.
update as at 13 January 2010
from Dr Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
'We believe that we have found a gene involved in the disease (ARVC), but that there are several genes contributing. These may or may not be the same in US and European dogs. Dr Meurs and the Broad are actively continuing on this work to find also the other genes. Once the whole picture has been understood, testing for all involved genes will be possible. Dr Jo Dukes-McEwan and her colleagues in England have also offered to collaborate with us to be able to include both US and European dogs in a productive way, which will be very good.
We therefore would like you to understand that the current testing is NOT comprehensive but that we are working hard to make it better. Please help us by remaining calm, hopeful and supportive.'
Further reading at - American Boxer Charitable Foundation
It should be noted that many of the researchers, geneticists and cardiologists involved in the study of ARVC/BCM around the world are not in agreement with each other. Many believe there is more to this disease then the one mutant gene the current test identifies. Breeders should be very wary of drawing any hasty conclusions from the results of this DNA test. DNA testing is only one piece of information breeders should use when screening for ARVC/BCM and they should NOT rely entirely on this piece of information when making breeding choices. It has been recommended by many experts in the field that breeding choices should be made by considering ALL available information from the combination of results of DNA testing, holter monitoring and pedigree analysis.
Therefore on the recommendation of researchers 24 hour holter monitoring should continue and be performed annually for the life of the dog beginning at 12 months of age.
At present <50 VPC's is considered to be a clear result. When VPC's occur in greater numbers (>50) it gives good evidence that ARVC/BCM has developed.
It should be noted that a negative result when a dog is holter monitored only means that it does not have detectable signs of ARVC/BCM at the time of testing therefore annual checks are recommended for the life of the dog.
If a dog is diagnosed with ARVC/BCM the breeder should be immediately informed and all related dogs should then be screened by using all methods available to them. All dogs with ARVC/BCM or who are found to pass on ARVC/BCM to their progeny through pedigree analysis should be removed from any further breeding immediately.
*If you wish to hire or purchase a holter monitor please contact me
ARVC/BCM is an inherited condition with devastating consequences.
It is thought, by some and questioned by many, a dominant single gene is responsible for ARVC/BCM and means that only one parent is responsible for passing on this disease to puppies in a litter. The gene has a variable penetrance, meaning that clinical signs of disease do not always develop when the gene is present. The lack of clinical signs of ARVC/BCM in some dogs makes it appear to skip generations which we know is NOT the case.
ARVC/BCM is an electrical problem within the heart which causes the heart to beat erratically (arrhythmia) which can result in weakness, collapse and most often sudden death - this can happen at any age. Arrhythmia is extremely difficult to detect when listening to the heart with a stethoscope which is usually done at a routine veterinary examination. Most often a stethoscope will only detect ARVC/BCM when irregular beats are occurring with great frequency. An echocardiogram will NOT detect ARVC/BCM either.
Recently released is a DNA test available that identifies a (one) mutant gene believed to be responsible for causing ARVC/BCM. However researchers at Washington State University have clearly stated that the DNA test on offer is by no means conclusive and are suggesting there could be many mutant genes responsible for causing ARVC.
In the event of a negative result researchers have said -
'The absence of the mutant gene in a dog, DOES NOT mean that it will never develop the disease. It means that it does not have the only known mutation that can cause the disease in the dog at this time.
In the event of a positive result -
'Dogs that are positive for the test will NOT NECESSARILY develop significant heart disease and die from the disease'.
Researchers go on to say
'We do not yet know if this is the only mutation in the Boxer or if there will be many different mutations. Please keep in mind that we are continually learning about this disease and recommendations will be altered as we obtain more information. At present annual holter monitoring is recommended to continue until such time the DNA test is proven to give a definitive diagnosis'.
*Updates from Dr Kerstin Lindblad-Toh at the Broad Institute - see below
update as at October 2009
Boxer Study: ARVC by Dr Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
'Together with Dr Meurs at Washington State University we have searched the boxer genome for risk factors for cardiomyopathy. We have found several candidate loci, and have found a mutation in a gene at one of these loci. This gene has a relevant function and we can see that the protein's function is affected by the mutation. A paper describing this finding has been submitted for publication. Dr Meurs is now offering a test and together we are following up to see if we can find additional genes with mutations to fully explain the risk factors involved in the disease'.
update as at 13 January 2010
from Dr Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
'We believe that we have found a gene involved in the disease (ARVC), but that there are several genes contributing. These may or may not be the same in US and European dogs. Dr Meurs and the Broad are actively continuing on this work to find also the other genes. Once the whole picture has been understood, testing for all involved genes will be possible. Dr Jo Dukes-McEwan and her colleagues in England have also offered to collaborate with us to be able to include both US and European dogs in a productive way, which will be very good.
We therefore would like you to understand that the current testing is NOT comprehensive but that we are working hard to make it better. Please help us by remaining calm, hopeful and supportive.'
Further reading at - American Boxer Charitable Foundation
It should be noted that many of the researchers, geneticists and cardiologists involved in the study of ARVC/BCM around the world are not in agreement with each other. Many believe there is more to this disease then the one mutant gene the current test identifies. Breeders should be very wary of drawing any hasty conclusions from the results of this DNA test. DNA testing is only one piece of information breeders should use when screening for ARVC/BCM and they should NOT rely entirely on this piece of information when making breeding choices. It has been recommended by many experts in the field that breeding choices should be made by considering ALL available information from the combination of results of DNA testing, holter monitoring and pedigree analysis.
Therefore on the recommendation of researchers 24 hour holter monitoring should continue and be performed annually for the life of the dog beginning at 12 months of age.
At present <50 VPC's is considered to be a clear result. When VPC's occur in greater numbers (>50) it gives good evidence that ARVC/BCM has developed.
It should be noted that a negative result when a dog is holter monitored only means that it does not have detectable signs of ARVC/BCM at the time of testing therefore annual checks are recommended for the life of the dog.
If a dog is diagnosed with ARVC/BCM the breeder should be immediately informed and all related dogs should then be screened by using all methods available to them. All dogs with ARVC/BCM or who are found to pass on ARVC/BCM to their progeny through pedigree analysis should be removed from any further breeding immediately.
*If you wish to hire or purchase a holter monitor please contact me
Hip Dysplasia: HD
is an inheritable malformation of the hip joint leading to osteoarthritis. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint, where the top of the thigh bone (femur) fits into a socket in the pelvis. The bones are held in place by ligaments. Hip Dysplasia occurs when the socket is poorly formed or the ligaments are loose, enabling the ball of the femur to subluxate (to slide part way out of its socket). Over time this causes degeneration of the joint (osteoarthritis) and the dog suffers pain and becomes weak and lame in the hindquarters.
Although known to be genetic HD has polygenic inheritance, meaning it is caused by the inheritance of multiple genes. It is not yet known how many, or which genes are involved. Breeders in Europe have been hip scoring for decades and are nowhere near eliminating HD from their breeding stock. It is therefore concluded by many experts in the field that other factors such as excess weight, excess or prolonged exercise before maturity, a fast growth rate, over nutrition with high-calorie or supplemented diets can cause the disease to express itself where under normal circumstances of growth and exercise it would not.
Hip Dysplasia is a progressive disease, meaning that it becomes worse with time.
Screening for HD is recommended by using x-ray and having these x-rays interpreted by a Specialist Veterinarian experienced in this area.
Breeding choices should be discussed with ones veterinarian.
Although known to be genetic HD has polygenic inheritance, meaning it is caused by the inheritance of multiple genes. It is not yet known how many, or which genes are involved. Breeders in Europe have been hip scoring for decades and are nowhere near eliminating HD from their breeding stock. It is therefore concluded by many experts in the field that other factors such as excess weight, excess or prolonged exercise before maturity, a fast growth rate, over nutrition with high-calorie or supplemented diets can cause the disease to express itself where under normal circumstances of growth and exercise it would not.
Hip Dysplasia is a progressive disease, meaning that it becomes worse with time.
Screening for HD is recommended by using x-ray and having these x-rays interpreted by a Specialist Veterinarian experienced in this area.
Breeding choices should be discussed with ones veterinarian.
Spondylosis
is when osteophytes form between the vertebrae (spine), essentially fusing the vertebrae together. Spondylosis is caused by genetic inheritance and/or spinal injury (polygenetic) and is irreversible. This disease is progressive if caused by genetic inheritance.
The symptoms are stiffness in the back, lameness in one or more limbs and change of gait. The symptoms may come and go but steadily get worse as the osteophytes grow.
Severely affected animals may have atrophy of the muscles of the hind quarters caused by the osteophytes compressing the nerves to the muscles. The more severely affected dogs may also have loss of reflexes.
Spondylosis is screened for by x-ray.
Breeding choices should be discussed with ones veterinarian.
The symptoms are stiffness in the back, lameness in one or more limbs and change of gait. The symptoms may come and go but steadily get worse as the osteophytes grow.
Severely affected animals may have atrophy of the muscles of the hind quarters caused by the osteophytes compressing the nerves to the muscles. The more severely affected dogs may also have loss of reflexes.
Spondylosis is screened for by x-ray.
Breeding choices should be discussed with ones veterinarian.
Thyroid Dysfunction
Hypothyroidism describes an inactive thyroid gland which can be responsible for such conditions as epilepsy, alopecia or hair loss, obesity, lethargy, hyper-pigmentation, pyoderma and other skin conditions.
While not considered to be life threatening, the quality of life for a dog suffering from hypothyroidism is much reduced.
A simple blood test is used to screen for Thyroid Dysfunction.
Breeding choices should be discussed with ones veterinarian.
While not considered to be life threatening, the quality of life for a dog suffering from hypothyroidism is much reduced.
A simple blood test is used to screen for Thyroid Dysfunction.
Breeding choices should be discussed with ones veterinarian.
Degenerative Myelopathy: DM
is a neurological disease (very similar to MS in humans). The myelin is an insulating sheath around neurons in the spinal column. DM occurs when the insulation of these fibres are stripped away. This results in a loss of communication between nerves in the lower body of the animal and the brain. The disease usually manifests between the ages of five and fourteen years of age. Degenerative Myelopathy initially affects the back legs and causes muscle weakness as well as loss and lack of co-ordination — the animal looses both sensation and control. This causes a staggering effect that may appear to be arthritis. Scuffing of one or both rear paws when walking usually occurs, causing the nails of one foot to wear down. Eventually the condition may lead to extensive paralysis of the back legs. As the disease progresses symptoms such as incontinence and difficulty with balance and walking appear.
The disease is chronic and progressive.
Dr Coates in conjunction with Drs Gary Johnson, Claire Wade, Kerstin Lindblad-Toh and their colleagues at the University of Missouri and the Broad Institute have identified a DNA mutation that is a major risk factor for the development of Degenerative Myelopathy in dogs AND, have developed a DNA test that is now available through OFA (Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals) at a very reasonable cost.
The test identifies dogs that are clear (have 2 normal copies of the gene), those that are carriers (have 1 normal copy of the gene and 1 mutated copy of the gene), and those that are at much higher risk for developing DM (have 2 mutated copies of the gene).
Broad Institute update as at October 2009
Boxer Study: Degenerative Myelopathy by Dr Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
'Together with Drs Coates and Johnson at the University of Missouri we have identified a mutation in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene that confers a major risk to degenerative myelopathy. We did however see some indictions that additional genes might be involved in the disease, so we are currently continuing the search for additional loci'.
Further reading at - American Boxer Charitable Foundation
Statistics as they stand currently from the number of Boxers tested thus far
Clear - 18%
Carriers - 37%
At Risk - 45%
Total Abnormal - 82%
The disease is chronic and progressive.
Dr Coates in conjunction with Drs Gary Johnson, Claire Wade, Kerstin Lindblad-Toh and their colleagues at the University of Missouri and the Broad Institute have identified a DNA mutation that is a major risk factor for the development of Degenerative Myelopathy in dogs AND, have developed a DNA test that is now available through OFA (Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals) at a very reasonable cost.
The test identifies dogs that are clear (have 2 normal copies of the gene), those that are carriers (have 1 normal copy of the gene and 1 mutated copy of the gene), and those that are at much higher risk for developing DM (have 2 mutated copies of the gene).
Broad Institute update as at October 2009
Boxer Study: Degenerative Myelopathy by Dr Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
'Together with Drs Coates and Johnson at the University of Missouri we have identified a mutation in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene that confers a major risk to degenerative myelopathy. We did however see some indictions that additional genes might be involved in the disease, so we are currently continuing the search for additional loci'.
Further reading at - American Boxer Charitable Foundation
Statistics as they stand currently from the number of Boxers tested thus far
Clear - 18%
Carriers - 37%
At Risk - 45%
Total Abnormal - 82%
Juvenile Renal Dysplasia: JRD
is an inherited condition affecting the developmental maturation of the kidney(s).
Clinical signs of JRD (but not limited to) are excessive water intake and urination from a young age. This can occur as early as 8 weeks of age and up to 2 years of age although there have been dogs as old as 4 - 6 years of age documented.
Dogs found to have JRD will have small, irregular-shaped kidneys which can be detected by ultrasound - renal failure will develop and ultimate death will follow.
Recently researchers at the Dog Genome Project (USA) who are conducting a study into JRD have determined that Renal Dysplasia in Boxers is a genetic disease and is a recessive trait. This means JRD can be passed on by dogs that show NO sign of it themselves but BOTH parents must carry the gene for it to be expressed in their progeny.
If a dog has been diagnosed with JRD the breeder should be immediately informed. Known carriers and affected dogs should be removed from any further breeding immediately.
Clinical signs of JRD (but not limited to) are excessive water intake and urination from a young age. This can occur as early as 8 weeks of age and up to 2 years of age although there have been dogs as old as 4 - 6 years of age documented.
Dogs found to have JRD will have small, irregular-shaped kidneys which can be detected by ultrasound - renal failure will develop and ultimate death will follow.
Recently researchers at the Dog Genome Project (USA) who are conducting a study into JRD have determined that Renal Dysplasia in Boxers is a genetic disease and is a recessive trait. This means JRD can be passed on by dogs that show NO sign of it themselves but BOTH parents must carry the gene for it to be expressed in their progeny.
If a dog has been diagnosed with JRD the breeder should be immediately informed. Known carriers and affected dogs should be removed from any further breeding immediately.
The above diseases/conditions can be identified through routine screening and more recently in the case of DM and ARVC with the assistance of DNA testing.
Our peers in the UK, US and Europe have acknowledged these diseases for years and have long put into place health testing recommendations for their breeding animals. The Australian Boxer population is composed of dogs whose ancestors have come from these countries so it is reasonable to assume the Boxer in Australia is not immune from any of the known hereditary diseases seen elsewhere in the World. It would then follow that the same health testing recommendations should also apply to breeders here in Australia.
When purchasing a puppy..........
DO NOT assume all 'Registered Breeders' are health testing.
DO NOT accept when a breeder states that health testing has been undertaken without asking what diseases they have tested for and what methods of testing were used. Breeders who test and practice 'responsible breeding' know about hereditary diseases and the preferred methods of screening for these diseases.
DO NOT accept when a breeder states that health testing has been undertaken without sighting the results. Request to see hard copies of test results - this is not an unreasonable request! If you are purchasing a puppy you have the right to know the results of each of the health tests performed. Make sure the results fall within recommended guidelines.
DO NOT accept when a breeder states that it is only necessary to health test the stud dog - both parents contribute to the genetic makeup of your puppy!
DO NOT accept when a breeder states that health testing is pending - this is NOT health testing - this is a poor excuse!
DO NOT accept when a breeder states that one or both of the parents of a litter have not as yet been tested but will be tested in the future. You have the right to ask why BOTH parents have not been health tested PRIOR to a litter being born!
DO NOT accept when a breeder states that health testing for a known breed specific hereditary disease has not been done because there has never been a problem to warrant any health testing or screening - of course there will not be a detected problem if testing is not done! Again this is a poor excuse!
DO NOT accept when a breeder states that a DNA test alone has been done to identify ARVC. This is NOT the only screening method recommended to identify this disease. Breeders should know that the new DNA test for ARVC does NOT at this early stage of research identify definitively the dogs who will succumb to ARVC. This DNA test is in its infancy and researchers have stated that this test identifies only one mutant gene thought responsible for ARVC and suggest that through further research there could possibly be many more genes identified.This test DOES NOT identify dogs with ARVC it merely identifies the presence or absence of one mutant gene. This DNA test is by NO means conclusive and breeders who declare their breeding stock clear of ARVC based on this test alone should take heed from the recommendations set down by researchers - this new DNA test should run in parallel with annual holter monitoring. Annual Holter Monitoring should continue until the ARVC DNA test is found to be definitive in its findings.
Remember your puppy will be with you and your family for sometime to come so it is in your best interest to purchase a healthy puppy from thoroughly health tested parents.
Although good breeding practices have proven to greatly reduce the incidence of hereditary diseases it must be noted not all best laid plans result in ideal outcomes (there are no guarantees where 'Mother Nature' is involved) - this does NOT excuse any breeder from not health testing or screening both sire and dam prior to breeding...no exceptions...no excuses!
Further reading is highly recommended - more information can be found at the following Links:-
Pedigree Dogs Exposed - BBC Documentary (some scenes can be disturbing)
Pedigree Dogs In Australia - ABC 'Catalyst' Program in answer to the BBC Documentary
American Boxer Club - Health
UK Boxer Breed Council - Health
UK Boxer Breed Council - BCM
UK Boxer Breed Council - AS/SAS
UK Kennel Club - Health of Pedigree Dogs
NSW Animal Welfare Code of Practice - Breeding Dogs
Pro-Active Approach to Dog Breeding by Karen Hedberg BVSc - RNSWCC (Dogs NSW)