Hunter's Heart Brittanys - Health Issues Related to Dog Breeding

The delivery date is just an estimate. Like the timing of heat cycles, the due date is not set in stone. Even for a single dam, 2 litters may have different gestational lengths.

As the due date approaches, breeders can predict when whelping is about to start by monitoring the female's rectal temperature twice a day. An drop in temperature predicts the start of labor.According to Dr. Dan Rice, DVM, author of The Complete Book of Dog Breeding, page 77: "Normally, the temperature drops several degrees, from a normal of 101.5 ° F (38.6 ° C) to less than 100 ° F (37.7° C), often as low as 98 ° F (36.6 ° C) or 99 ° F (37.2° C). This happens about 12 to 24 hours before productive Stage II labor begins.

If you decide to take her temperature, follow a specific routine. Use a lubricated oral stubby human thermometer. Insert the bulb end into her rectum about one inch (2.5 cm) and hold it there for a minute, or two. Repeat the procedure three times a day, and record the time and temperature on a note pad. To be a valid predictor, the temperature must be taken and recorded at the same times each day. A random, hit or miss technique is not of much value in predicting whelping time because the normal body temperature rises and falls slightly with exercise, rest, and meals."

Whelping Information Resources

Dr. Dan Rice's book, The Complete Book of Dog Breeding, ISBN # 0812096045, is an easy to understand source of information for your first litter, and is also a reference guide for future years.

To print out a chart to help record temperatures and predict whelping, visit:

http://www.borzoi.cc/tempanalysis.htm

There's also an informative FAQ page for Breeding, Whelping, and Rearing Puppies at:

http://vetmedicine.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.k9web.com%2Fdog-faqs%2Fmedical%2Fwhelping.html

It includes timelines for what breeders should do at different stages in the pregnancy.

PEDIGREES, INCEST AND LINE BREEDING

Pedigrees Contain Health Information

It’s always a good idea to look at the pedigree of any purebred dog you’re considering buying or adopting. Some pedigrees include health information like hip and eye certification or DNA certification that proves the parentage conclusively.

Incest and Line Breeding

Be sure to take note if the same dog appears more than once in the pedigree.

When a dog is bred to it’s first degree relative e.g. a parent bred to their son or daughter; or a brother bred to its sister, the risk that genetic disease occurs in the offspring is significantly increased. Incest isn’t a good breeding practice, and I wouldn’t consider buying the offspring of such a mating. Given that there are so many good quality Brittanys to choose from, why would you as a potential puppy owner accept the risk of genetic disease associated with an incestuous mating?

Line breeding is a common practice by many breeders. Although it is generally accepted, it may be used well or it may be used badly. Line breeding is when distantly related animals e.g. cousins are mated. Line breeding is often used because it strengthens the traits present in the line. But remember that line breeding exaggerates both the good characteristics (that the breeder is trying for) and the bad characteristics (like unrecognized genetic disease). Consider the extent of the line breeding occurring and the breeders’ reasons for it.

CERF AND INHERITED EYE DISEASES

Did you know that Glaucoma is a genetic disease associated with the Brittany breed? Brittany Spaniels, and many other breeds of dogs, are prone to other heritable eye diseases. Many reputable breeders try to reduce the occurrence of eye problems in their litters by having the sire and dam CERF’d annually.

http://www.vmdb.org/cerf.html

Eye diseases may not show up until the dog ages. So the dog must be rechecked annually for the CERF number to remain valid.

A dog that has a valid CERF number appeared to have normal eyes when evaluated by a vet (who is certified as an experienced examiner by CERF.) Having said that, both parents of a litter may appear normal, while they still carry the genes that pass on eye diseases to their puppies. As of yet, the tests available can only look at whether a dog shows the disease, but cannot check for the underlying genes.

Anyone can go to the CERF website and do a search to find out a dog's CERF status, using information such as registered name, registration number, or CERF number. They also offer a search by mail. CERF posts many articles online so you can learn more about genetic eye disease in different breeds of dogs.

For breeders that become members of CERF, CERF mails out a breed specific list of people and dogs (grouped by age) who passed CERF clearances in the last few years. Also for sale is a list of guidelines for breeding dogs (within your breed of interest), based on CERF findings. We are members and find the information very worthwhile.

OFA CERTIFICATION AND HIP DYSPLASIA

What is Hip Dysplasia?

As with most breeds, Brittanys can have hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease that causes arthritis in one or both hips in affected dogs. It can result in lameness and pain and resulting decreased physical activity especially as the dog ages. But it can also be a hidden condition. Brittanys have won Best of Breed in conformation shows despite having hip dysplasia, since it doesn’t always change their gait enough for the judge to notice.

OFA Certification for Hip Health

Most reputable breeders will try to decrease the risk that the puppies they produce have hip dysplasia. For example, many breeders certify the sire and dam of a litter by having their hip x-rays evaluated by the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals).

www.offa.org

To acquire OFA certification, the dog must be at least 2 years of age. It’s my understanding that the OFA doesn’t certify younger dogs because sometimes they are fine and the disease shows up when they reach 2 years of age. (If you are concerned about the risk of hip dysplasia, you can have a puppy x-rayed and evaluated, and if there is a problem, the head start in diagnosing it may allow a greater variety of options in treatment. However, the puppy won’t be able to get an OFA number until he or she is 2 years old.)

When looking for a puppy, ask the breeder to show you the OFA certificates for the sire and dam of the litter. Look to see that the parents are graded as “good” or “excellent”.

Even experienced dog people have ended up with a dog that has hip dysplasia because the breeder said the parents’ OFA was normal, but had actually forged the certificates. Personally, I feel it’s so important to check, that when I’m considering buying or breeding a dog, I long onto the OFA website and check the information. As long as you know a dog’s registered name (Canadian Kennel Club names are also searchable) and registration number, you can confirm that they really have been certified by the OFA.

When a dog is OFA certified, it means that it appeared to have normal hips when evaluated by a vet (who is experienced in looking for hip dysplasia). Having said that, both parents or a litter may appear normal, while they still carry the genes that pass on hip dysplasia to their puppies. As of yet, the tests available can only look at whether the dog shows the disease, but cannot check for the underlying genes.

PennHip

PennHip is another organization that checks breeding stock for hip dysplasia.

http://www.vet.upenn.edu/pennhip/

What if My Puppy Gets Hip Dysplasia?

Breeders ideally will check the hip status of not only the parents of the litter, but also as many siblings of these dogs and as many littermates as possible in each generation. (You’ll hear the term “breadth” of pedigree used in describing this pattern of testing.) This gives the most complete picture of hip health in the breeding lines as possible.

But even the most conscientious breeder may sell you a puppy that ends up being diagnosed with hip dysplasia. When buying a puppy, it’s a good idea if you ask your breeder in advance about whether they have a health guarantee that includes hip dysplasia. For example, the breeder may guarantee that if your dog is diagnosed with hip dysplasia, once you provide proof from a vet, they will take the affected dog back and provide you with a replacement puppy. Don’t accept anything unless it’s in writing.

PUPPIES SHOULDN'T BE SEPARATED FROM DAM TOO EARLY

It is very important for breeders to give puppies the best start possible. Ideally, every puppy should begin learning how to be a dog by interacting with its mother and its littermates. But pet stores often sell puppies who are 5 weeks old or younger, already separated from their litter and lacking this important early socialization. 5 weeks is simply too soon for a puppy to leave its mother.

Ideally, your breeder will raise the puppies inside their house with lots of socialization until at least 7 weeks of age. If the breeder is doing a good job of socializing the puppies, he or she may keep the pups until 10 or 12 weeks of age. Or longer. Because puppies often go through a fear period at 9 weeks of age, it’s best if the puppy doesn’t travel during its 9^th week of life.

Adult Brittanys, properly socialized and cared for, should have little trouble adjusting to a change to a new home later in life. And even dogs who have suffered the worst treatment possible often have the amazing capacity to bounce back and become terrific pets and/or working dogs in loving homes.

Please don’t buy a puppy from a pet store. Pet stores that sell puppies often buy these puppies from puppy mills that are only concerned about making lots of money to the detriment of the puppies and dogs involved. The pet store is unlikely to provide basic information about the breed, and unlikely to socialize the puppies as well as a good breeder. You won’t be able to meet the parents, so you don’t know about their health or temperament. While you might feel sorry for the puppy raised in these unfortunate circumstances, buying that puppy keeps the puppy mill in business. Consider adopting a dog from a shelter or a rescue organization instead. Or purchasing a puppy from a reputable breeder that you feel comfortable with.

PUPPY'S HEALTH RECORD FROM YOUR BREEDER

If you’re bringing a new puppy home from a breeder around 8 weeks of age, be sure to get a copy of the health records for your puppy. The puppy vaccinations should have already been started, but it’s very important that you continue the series of puppy shots until they’re complete. Once the puppy vaccinations are given, most adults will require annual checkups.

In Alberta (Canada), the vet that administered the vaccinations should have also given the puppies a checkup. Health status should be documented, so you can make sure that the puppy didn’t have any obvious problems. Deworming should be documented too: for the parents and the litter, and ideally all dogs in the household or dogs that had regular contact with the puppies.

It is possible for a breeder to purchase veterinary medications online and administer them to the puppies without ever seeing a veterinarian. This is no substitute for the care or supervision of a veterinarian during health checks and vaccinations in the puppy’s early life.

When you bring the puppy home, be sure to schedule an appointment with your new veterinarian for a checkup within 48 hours. The health record from the breeder will help your vet decide when the next shots are due.

In Canada, the law states that all purebred puppies must be tattooed or micro chipped before they leave the breeder’s premises. If your puppy isn’t already identified by microchip or tattoo, consider having your new vet do this as soon as possible.

MICROCHIPS AND RECOVERY DATABASES

Untrained puppies can easily slip out of your front door or your vehicle, and be lost. And dog tags can be lost too. If your puppy is ever lost, dog tags on the collar simply aren’t as helpful as microchips and tattoos in ensuring that your dog is returned to you.

Click here for more information about why you should microchip your pet.

"CAR", The AKC's Companion Animal Recovery Database

The AKC (American Kennel Club) runs a worldwide database of microchip / tattoo information and takes calls 24 hours a day, every day. It’s called CAR (Companion Animal Recovery). To learn more about having your dog registered with CAR, visit:
http://www.akc.org/love/car/

CKC's Recovery Database

The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) www.ckc.ca also keeps a database of the microchips of purebred, CKC-registered dogs. The last time we checked in 2002, the CKC recognized the two different brands of microchips described below: AVID (PETtrac) and PetNet.

AVID microchips and the PETtrac Recovery Database

AVID microchip numbers can be registered for an annual fee (in 2001 the fee was $8/year) on the PETtrac world wide recovery database by the puppy/dog owner, by calling 1-800-338-1397.

Unfortunately, we have not personally found this particular database to be very reliable. (We accidentally discovered that two of our puppies who were supposedly on PETtrac's database had been overlooked and no data was recorded.) So while this service is potentially very valuable, it is not fool proof.

PetNet Recovery Database

Hunter’s Heart Brittanys prefers to use the PetNet microchip, which is approved by the CKC. So far, we haven't experienced any problems with these chips or their recovery service.

Pet Net Microchip Identification has their own recovery database for micro chipped, tattooed and tagged pets as well. NB. To use the petnet.ca website, you must create an account and log in first.
http://www.petnet.ca/
ph: (905) 477-6950
1-800-738-6385
620 Alden Rd., Ste. 101
Markham, ON
Canada
L3R 9R7

DNA CERTIFICATION BY THE AKC

March 10, 2002; By Carla Simon

Did you know you can do a simple cheek swab at home and send it in for DNA Certification with the AKC? Once both parents of a litter are certified, offspring can be tested to conclusively prove their parentage is what’s listed on the pedigree. This seems to be the way of the future in registration with the AKC, and probably the CKC as well. (Hunter's Heart is considering DNA registering our breeding stock in the future.)

Go to http://www.akc.org/registration/dna/dna_rm_popup.html to see the AKC’s video on how to do the cheek swab for DNA certification.

(First you have to register with AKC’s online store.) The fee of $40 per dog is due when you submit the sample. You will receive AKC’s DNA Certificate for each dog sampled. Basically, this is a record of the dog’s genes at certain locations in the chromosomes that allow it to be uniquely identified. The pattern is identifiable like a fingerprint, but even more unique. You will also receive a DNA Profile number. Dog’s that are individually registered with the AKC at the time the sample is received will have the DNA Profile number added to their permanent registration record.

Unlike the CKC, which only includes registration numbers, titles and registered names of the dogs in certified pedigrees, the AKC now includes CERF (eye certification), OFA (hip certification) and DNA numbers along with the usual registration information.

The AKC requires DNA certification for stud dogs whose semen is collected and shipped for use in Artificial Insemination.

For more information on DNA registration, visit: http://www.akc.org/registration/dna/
At the time of writing, you could order the AKC DNA test kit, including the swab for free online at: http://www.akc.org/store/index.cfm