Health concerns in Beaucerons

Source: American Beauceron Club http://beauce.org/health-concerns-in-beaucerons/

No breed is completely without health problems. Ask the breeder what health testing they have done on the sire and dam. Even among the most responsible breeders, health issues may arise. How a breeder responds to such problems is a more accurate indication of how reputable the breeder is.

A few health issues to be aware of include:

Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) The primary abnormality in canine hip dysplasia is varying degrees of hip joint laxity, (looseness of hip joint), subluxation (partial dislocation of the hip joint), and severe arthritic change (a degenerative condition).

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) A disease of the heart muscle which causes the heart to enlarge and not function properly. Typically, both the ventricle (lower chamber) and  the atria (upper chamber) enlarge and the ventricle loses its ability to contract and pump blood out to the body or the lungs.

Eye Problems There is a range of eye problems that can affect dogs. A yearly ophthalmologic examination by a certified veterinarian eye specialist is recommended for all breeds of dogs.

The Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), working with the American Beauceron Club, recommends the following basic health screening tests for all breeding stock:

1. Hip Dysplasia (One of the following) OFA Evaluation PennHIP Evaluation

2. Cardiac Evaluation (One of the following) Congenital Cardiac Exam by board certified cardiologist, exam must include an ECHO Advanced Cardiac Exam - exam must include an ECHO.

3. Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Ophthalmologist- yearly beginning at age 2 and continuing until age 8

Beaucerons des Monts du Lac follows the OFA and American Beauceron Club recommendations for mandatory health tests on all our breeding dogs.