Health Testing German Shepherds
Why test Your German Shepherd for genetic disorders?
Responsible breeders are well aware that hip dysplasia and other inherited diseases can be controlled or even eliminated through selective breeding practices. DNA testing for specific diseases remains the gold standard for determining a dog’s genotype (genetic makeup), but because DNA testing does not yet exist for many disorders, or is not readily accessible to many breeders, phenotypic evaluations are our best alternative for eliminating inherited diseases from our gene pools.
What is a Phenotypic evaluation?
A phenotypic evaluation is any test used to determine the structural, biochemical and/or physiological condition of a dog. Example: The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) uses a phenotypic evaluation (grading system) to determine the quality of your German Shepherd’s hips. The hips are graded based on breed, sex, age and the physical appearance and condition of different anatomic areas of the hip.
What is a Phenotypic characteristic?
A phenotypic characteristic is any detectable characteristic (i.e., structural, biochemical, physiological and behavioral) that is determined by the interaction between a dog’s genotype and it’s environment.
All the observable characteristics of a German Shepherd, including its shape, size, color, and temperament, result from the interaction of its genotype and its environment.
What are some of the Health Issues in German Shepherds?
Like many breeds, German Shepherds are predisposed to a number of genetic health issues, many of which can be emotionally and financially devastating to an owner. The number of affected dogs in the German Shepherd population is no more or less than that found in many breeds. Though daunting, this list serves as a reminder of the importance of health screening and our efforts to improve the health of our dogs and reduce risks to our puppy buyers.
Health issues associated with the breed include hip and elbow dysplasia, digestive disorders such as Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD), Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), Exocrine Pancreatic Inefficiency (EPI), Bloat (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus), Panostetis (PANO), Chronic Superficial Keratitis (CSK) or Pannus and Corneal Dystrophy.
Other disorders documented in German Shepherds include Perianal Fistula, Hypothyroidism, Megaesophagus, Demodex, Sub-Aortic Stenosis (SAS), Pulmonic Stenosis and Articular Facet Degenerative Disease (AFDD). There have also been cases of various forms of cancer and autoimmune disorders such as Virtigo.
Do You need to have your pet German Shepherd tested?
Yes. The reasons for screening your pet German Shepherd are two fold. Even though your puppy will not contribute further to the gene pool, it is essential for your breeder to collect health information on your dog. Many genetic disorders are passed onto puppies from parent’s carrying recessive or hidden genes. Both parents can test clear for a particular disorder, yet still pass the disease onto their offspring. By testing your pet German Shepherd, you provide your breeder with valuable health information about their breeding dogs. Test results on your German Shepherd, along with information on other close relatives, allows puppy buyers to apply greater pressure on breeders to produce normal, healthy offspring. If puppy buyers stop buying puppies from untested adults, breeders have to either stop producing them—or start testing them. A win/win for everyone.
By testing your puppy or young adult German Shepherd, you gain valuable time in diagnosing and treating potential health problems. Many disorders can be treated or controlled before they cause serious problems. For example, there are surgeries that can be performed and supplements given to greatly improve the quality of life for dogs diagnosed with crippling hip dysplasia. Some of these surgeries however, are only effective if performed when the dog is very young. If treated early, eye diseases such as Pannus can be treated to prevent blindness.
Screening your German Shepherd for major health concerns is no different than screening yourself for diseases running in your family.
Which tests should be performed?
Most dog owners are familiar with hip testing because hip issues are common in many breeds. Though the level of testing desired for breeding prospects should be extensive, pet owners are strongly encouraged to do their part to help breeders improve the overall health of the breed.
Ideally, all breeding animals should be screened for hips, elbows, eyes, heart, thyroid, EPI and temperament. The more testing pet owners do, the better for all concerned.
If a German Shepherd breeder tells you that their dogs do not need testing because they are free of genetic defects, they are either not knowledgeable about their breeding stock (or their ancestors) and should not be breeding dogs in the first place, or they are not telling you everything you need to know about your puppy’s lineage. ALL German Shepherd lines carry varying degrees of risk for serious genetic disorders. There are no exceptions. Education yourself about the diseases known to exist in the lines of the dogs you are considering and quiz your prospective breeder. If they cannot, or will not, discuss with you the levels of risk, find another breeder. Learn to be a discriminating buyer. Lowering your risk as a puppy buyer is, in part, up to you. If buyers don’t require breeders to breed healthier dogs, and you don’t ask for and verify information about their dogs, the result could be a situation that is financially and emotionally devastating.
Who should Know the results of your German Shepherd’s health testing?
The first person to receive the results of your German Shepherd’s health screenings should be its breeder. Responsible breeders appreciate and value the information you provide and use it to make better breeding decisions.
The health information on your dog should also be made available to the German Shepherd community so other owners and breeders can make better decisions about their future prospects. Even though the German Shepherd gene pool might appear large, most German Shepherds are closely related and the health of one line can greatly impacts the health of others. All breeders and owners need to know if your puppy has great hips. They also need to know if your puppy’s hips are not so great. Some registries have databases established for collecting health information and there is also an open, public database that benefits the entire German Shepherd community. More about these databases can be found in the information section in the back of this book.
Additionally, when having health screenings performed through OFA, remember to indicate on the form that you wish the results to be made public so all German Shepherd breeders/owners can benefit from your efforts. If you do not select this option, your valuable data is lost to the community and to the breed.
Please note: Not all breeders are created equal. Some work very hard to refine their lines and improve the overall health of the puppies they produce. Some try to produce healthy puppies but are not knowledgeable or diligent enough to be successful, and others are simply not concerned with the health of their breeding stock or the puppies they produce. Health data is only useful if it is shared and made easily available to the next breeder and the next puppy buyer. A reputable breeder will encourage you to publish your health results and be glad to share the data you provide—good and not so good. A reputable breeder will also have pedigrees and health information on their dogs and their progeny available on their websites. If a breeder does not have health data on their dogs or asks you not to share your findings—run, don’t walk away from that breeder. They do not have your best interest at heart.
