Health Testing
edealth Testing is very important – both to you as a buyer and to us as breeders. As a breeder health testing allows us to breed dogs that have fewer or no signs of inherited diseases. This helps not only your new puppy but generations to come.
All dogs, purebred or mixed breed can carry genetically inherited diseases. Every breed has its own set of generic diseases. Some breeds have many different genetic health issues; while others may only have a few. So, whether you choose a purebred or not – doesn’t mean that you are getting a healthy dog – unless the breeder heath tests their dogs. We test our breeding stock of genetic disorders before they are bred.
We now have DNA tests for several health issues in Dobermans. These DNA tests can reveal whether the dog is a carrier or may possibly be affected later on in life. As responsible breeders we use these tests as tools to help try and eliminate these genes from our breeding stock. However, keep in mind that some illnesses are partly genetic and partly environmental, and some are caused by combinations of several genes, so eliminating genetic diseases is always a struggle. We try and do everything we can to breed only from healthy stock. We keep a puppy from each breeding so we want all of the puppies to be as healthy as possible.
Some of the more common tests we use for our Dobermans are:
The DNA testing for heart is though North Carolina State University and is a fairly new test. It does only test for one type of cardio. Although Dobermans can be affected by several different types of cardio – at least testing for the one can help eliminate that particular type.
The 24 hour Holter ‘tape’ is sent to Alba Medical for assessment. We try and do this test at least annually on all our dogs. An Ultrsound is done on any dog that does not test within normal ranges.
The DNA test for vWD is sent to VetGen for classification of Clear, Carrier or Affected.
The Blood Test for Thyroid diseases are sent to Michigan State University. They screen for all types of Thyroid disease and are very comprehensive tests.
The x-rays for hips are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for evaluation. Dogs within normal limits are assigned an OFA number and are listed as Excellent, Good, or Fair. X-Rays of Borderline, Mild, Moderate and Severely dysplastic hip grades are reviewed by the OFA radiologist and a radio graphic report is generated documenting the abnormal radio graphic findings. The OFA has a chart where you can compare and understand all the grades. We will only breed dogs with Excellent, Good or Fair hips.
Eye tests are conducted by Veterinary Ophthalmologists and are recorded with CERF (Canine Eye Registry Foundation) and allow us to screen for eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and inherited cataracts.
For more information on all these tests – please go to the links on this page or to our links page. It’s important that you inform yourself about these diseases. Although we screen all our breeding animals and try our best to eliminate as many genetic disorders as possible – there is no 100% guarantee that all puppies will be free of all diseases. In order for you to be assured of what you are getting - insist on seeing copies of health tests from your chosen breeder.
All dogs, purebred or mixed breed can carry genetically inherited diseases. Every breed has its own set of generic diseases. Some breeds have many different genetic health issues; while others may only have a few. So, whether you choose a purebred or not – doesn’t mean that you are getting a healthy dog – unless the breeder heath tests their dogs. We test our breeding stock of genetic disorders before they are bred.
We now have DNA tests for several health issues in Dobermans. These DNA tests can reveal whether the dog is a carrier or may possibly be affected later on in life. As responsible breeders we use these tests as tools to help try and eliminate these genes from our breeding stock. However, keep in mind that some illnesses are partly genetic and partly environmental, and some are caused by combinations of several genes, so eliminating genetic diseases is always a struggle. We try and do everything we can to breed only from healthy stock. We keep a puppy from each breeding so we want all of the puppies to be as healthy as possible.
Some of the more common tests we use for our Dobermans are:
- DNA Tested to detect heart disease – DCM (one type of heart disease) through North Carolina State University
- regular 24 hour Holter testing for many different heart diseases and abnormalities through Alba Medical
- DNA tests for vonWillebrands disease (vWD) a blood disorder through Vet Gen
- Blood tests for Thyroid diseases through Michigan State University
- X-rays for Hip dysplasia (dislocated hips, or HD) – through OFA (Orthopedic Foundation of America):
- CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) that screens for eye diseases
The DNA testing for heart is though North Carolina State University and is a fairly new test. It does only test for one type of cardio. Although Dobermans can be affected by several different types of cardio – at least testing for the one can help eliminate that particular type.
The 24 hour Holter ‘tape’ is sent to Alba Medical for assessment. We try and do this test at least annually on all our dogs. An Ultrsound is done on any dog that does not test within normal ranges.
The DNA test for vWD is sent to VetGen for classification of Clear, Carrier or Affected.
The Blood Test for Thyroid diseases are sent to Michigan State University. They screen for all types of Thyroid disease and are very comprehensive tests.
The x-rays for hips are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for evaluation. Dogs within normal limits are assigned an OFA number and are listed as Excellent, Good, or Fair. X-Rays of Borderline, Mild, Moderate and Severely dysplastic hip grades are reviewed by the OFA radiologist and a radio graphic report is generated documenting the abnormal radio graphic findings. The OFA has a chart where you can compare and understand all the grades. We will only breed dogs with Excellent, Good or Fair hips.
Eye tests are conducted by Veterinary Ophthalmologists and are recorded with CERF (Canine Eye Registry Foundation) and allow us to screen for eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and inherited cataracts.
For more information on all these tests – please go to the links on this page or to our links page. It’s important that you inform yourself about these diseases. Although we screen all our breeding animals and try our best to eliminate as many genetic disorders as possible – there is no 100% guarantee that all puppies will be free of all diseases. In order for you to be assured of what you are getting - insist on seeing copies of health tests from your chosen breeder.
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Our Favorite Links
Medical
Shopping:
Dog Event Information & Dog Entry Services:
Canadian:
Dog Clubs & Organizations:
Dog Training:
- Alba Medical (Heart): http://www.albamedical.com/
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) Hip registry: http://www.offa.org/
- Canine Eye Registration Foundation: http://www.tctc.com/~maplerg/cerf-.html
- Michigan State (Thyroid Testing and more): http://www.dcpah.msu.edu/
- NC State University (DNA Cardio Testing): http://www.cvm.ncsu.edu/vhc/csds/vcgl/index.html
- VetGen (vWD Testing and more): http://www.vetgen.com/
Shopping:
- ArgoStar (Beautiful Doberman Sweatshirts, T-shirts and more): http://www.argostar.com/doberman_pinscher_art.htm
- Dog Sport Gear (All sorts of great leashes, collars and other training equipment): http://www.dogsportgear.com/
- Dog Wise (Books): http://www.dogwise.com/index.cfm
- Mes Amis Collars and Leashes (Soft collars that don't leave marks on our dobes fur): http://www.mesamisonline.com/
- Rens Pet Depot (Everything you can want in dog 'stuff'): http://www.renspets.com/
- J & J Dog Supplies: https://www.jjdog.com/
Dog Event Information & Dog Entry Services:
Canadian:
- BC Dog Show Services: http://www.bcdogshowservicesltd.ca/
- Canuck Dogs: http://www.canuckdogs.com/
- Compupets: http://www.compupets.com/
- JM Show Services: http://www.jmshowservices.com/
- Bay Ray Events: http://www.barayevents.com/
- Info Dog: http://www.infodog.com/default.html
- International Dog Shows: http://www.iabca.com/
- Jack Bradshaw: http://www.jbradshaw.com/39/plist.htm
- MR Dog Shows: http://www.mrdogshows.com/
- Ono Frio: http://www.onofrio.com/index.html
Dog Clubs & Organizations:
- Canadian Kennel Club (CKC): http://www.ckc.ca/en/
- American Kennel Club (AKC): http://www.dpca.org/
- BC Doberman Pinscher Club: http://www.bcdpc.ca
- Doberman Pinscher Club of America: http://www.dpca.org/
- Doberman Pinscher Club of Canada: http://www.dpcc.ca/
Dog Training:
- Canine Spirit Dog Training: http://www.caninespirit.com/
- Dumbbell Obedience Club: http://www.dumbbellobedienceclub.com/home
- TNT Kennels: http://tntkennels.com/
- Dabney Dobermans: http://dabneydobermans.com/DabneyDobermans/Dabney_Dobermans.html
- Holmrun Dobermans: http://www.holmrun.com/
- Sunset Dobermans: http://sunsetdobe.com/
- Chiropractor (yep, for dogs too): http://www.fortfamilychiro.ca/
- Wellsprings: http://wellspringsk9.com/