Health and DNA Results

In Lowchen we have breeding stock's eyes examined by an opthamologist to determine if the dog is affected by Progressive Retinal Atropy (PRA) and Juvenille Cataracts. PRA is usually detected in it's early stages and is slow in progression, the first symptom is night blindness. Severe PRA isn't usually aparent until the dog is old, usually well over 8 years old. Because of this, physical examinations are key indicators of the dog's eye health but continuous testing throughout the dog's life is important to truly confirm if the animal is affected. Most breeders only test when dogs are young and this information can be misleading.

Juvenille Cataracts can appear as early at 9 months but will appear by the time the animal is 3 and both eyes will be affected. Cataracts cause blindness in the affected eyes quickly. This is why it is important to test dogs before they are 3 to ensure that there is no onset of HC.

Physical eye exams only help us identify affected animals, but not carriers. Correct identification of affected dogs is imperative to ensure that animals aren't bred to other affected dogs. Until we have DNA tests for these diseases, there is a high likelyhood that dogs that carry PRA genes will be bred from and an intimate knowledge of pedigrees is required before breeding. DOGS THAT ARE CARRIERS WILL HAVE NORMAL RESULTS.

We do not test animals before the age of 2 years as dogs should have no signs of degeneration or blindness. Early tests that are clear/normal are misleading and inconclusive, they do not give any insight into the animals eye health. The older a dog is when they have clear tests the better as this gives a strong indication that the animal is not affected.

In the near future we are hoping to introduce heart testing, dentition reports and hip, elbow and knee scores via x-ray for our dogs as well. The more information we have on our dogs the better the chance of breeding healthier and more sound puppies!

Please find scanned copies of original heath and DNA profiles below. Feel free to browse the documents.

Normal or Clear=No signs of PRA, HC or other abnormalities

Suspicious=Very early signs, needs to be further investigated

Affected=Confirmed to have PRA or Cataracts