Breed History Breed Standard Breed Health Good And Bad

This page is to info people with the Staffie History, Standard and Health

All About Health Testing Breed clubs are working hard to identify and manage the defects and diseases that are wreaking such havoc in the dog world. Committees and foundations have been formed, and millions of dollars have been spent on research. As a result, medical tests have been developed for some disorders. These can show whether a dog has the disorder, or not. For example, x-rays can detect hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, which cause crippling. An ophthalmic exam can determine the presence of PRA and cataracts, which cause blindness. A cardiac exam can detect certain heart diseases. Someone who tests prospective parents for specific disorders before breeding them together has the breed's best interests at heart. Most health tests simply show whether a dog is displaying the disorder at the time of the test. Even after testing clear, he could still develop it next month. And he could still have it hidden in his genes, to be passed on to his puppies. You'll have to do some research and decide for yourself how much faith to put in the different medical tests as predictors of how healthy a puppy may be.

DNA Testing Is Much More Reliable DNA testing for some genetic diseases is just beginning. A DNA test can determine with certainty whether a dog has, or carries, or is completely clear of a specific disease. For example, the DNA test for Progressive Retinal Atrophy in Labrador Retrievers will show whether a Lab has, carries, or is completely clear of PRA, a dreadful disease that leads to blindness. At the current time, DNA testing is limited to only a very few diseases AND only a very few breeds. For example, there is a DNA test for detecting PRA in Irish Setters... but not (yet) in Golden Retrievers or Cocker Spaniels. In other words, DNA testing is breed-specific. Geneticists warn us that even if DNA testing included all diseases and all breeds, we wouldn't eliminate genetic disease from purebred dogs. Why? Because of the current breeding practices I described above. A continuing loss of genetic diversity leads to less healthy, less resistant animals. Even if the current canine diseases were eliminated through DNA testing, different diseases would simply pop up and take their place in the closed, weakening gene pool. If current breeding practices continue, purebred dogs are stuck in a hopeless loop. Many show dog breeders will be upset by what I've written here. But this information is well-known to dog people who have studied the science of genetics

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Choosing the right breeder should be very important to you and It would insure that the Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed is of good quaitly, healthy and the right breed for you and your family.

This page is to info people with the Staffie History, Standard and Health

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