The Pyr Shep is a healthy and long-lived breed, but, of course, no breed is free of genetic defects. The breed is known to be subject to occasional cases of hip dysplasia, patellar subluxation, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), epilepsy, and some eye defects including: choroidal hypoplasia (CH), and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).
Preliminary testing for such problems should be done on all breeding stock, as per the CHIC guidelines, before being bred:
Hip Dysplasia
Eye Examination
(By a boarded ACVO Ophthalmologist)
Patellar Luxation
- OFA evaluation
Cardiac Evaluation
(Optional)
- Congenital Cardiac Exam – OR
- Advanced Cardiac Exam
DNA Repository
- Participation in the OFA/Chic DNA Repository
- CHIC DNA FORM
You can verify that these tests have been done at the Pyr Shep search results page:
OFA – Pyrenean Shepherd
PLEASE NOTE: PennHip and OVC results may not be listed there if the breeder has not submitted them to OFA to be added. Some eye exams may also not be reflected there if not submitted to OFA after the exam. Breeders should be able to provide copies of these if they are not listed there.
In addition to doing all the above mentioned screenings on the sire and dam of a litter, it is also recommended that breeders should have all puppies eyes examined by a boarded ACVO Ophthalmologist before they go to their new homes. Puppies should be eye examined between 5-7 weeks of age, as this may be the best time to detect certain eye anomalies found in the breed, which may not show up at a later age.
FOR MORE HEALTH RELATED ARTICLES VISIT OUR ARTICLES PAGE.
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OTHER HELPFUL LINKS
ACVO – American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
OVC – Ontario Veterinary College
PennHIP – PennHIP