THE STAFFORD'S HEALTH

The North West , like all Breed Clubs, is committed to ensuring the breed is as healthy as possible. Fortunately the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a pretty healthy and robust breed but there are a few points that owners should be aware of.

Understanding Recessive Genes

Recessive genes are responsible for many aspects in dogs, such as the production of blue or liver coats, and most do not affect the dog’s physical well-being. A few however do cause health problems. Two have been described in Staffords – hereditary cataract (HC), causing blindness young dogs, and L-2-Hydroxyglutaric Aciduria (L-2-HGA), a metabolic condition which affects the brain, causing seizures which may be misdiagnosed as epilepsy.

All dogs have two copies of every one of their thousands of genes with the exception of those on the sex chromosomes in the case of males. One copy of each comes from the sire and the other from the dam. The copies of each gene may not be identical but each will be at the exact same position on the appropriate chromosome. Differences between pairs of genes, mutations, are the result of little biochemical errors occurring somewhere in the replication process between generations.

With recessive genes the ‘original’ variant, let’s call it ‘X’, produces the ‘normal’ effect as long as one copy of ‘X’ is present. If a mutation has occurred at some point, resulting in a recessive variant, ‘x’, then the normal effect will be produced as long as it is paired with ‘X’. ‘X’ is thus considered to be dominant to ‘x’, or putting it another way ‘x’ is recessive to ‘X’. X/X will naturally produce the normal effect but if x/x is produced then the resultant effect may be totally different.

With both HC and L-2-HGA three gene combinations are possible as you will have realised already –

• X/X – the dog is clinically unaffected and is not a carrier of the condition, as it does not possess ‘x’, and thus cannot pass it to its off-spring.

• X/x – the dog is clinically unaffected but is a carrier as it possesses ‘x’ which, on average, it will pass on to half its progeny.

• x/x – the dog is affected with the appropriate condition and were it used for breeding it must pass the defective ‘x’ gene to all its progeny.
• Click here to View Mr Jeff Sampson's Report
• Click here to download a L2-HGA & H/C Testing form
• Click here to download L2-HGA Information Sheet
• Click here to see a Sample of a Test Certificate

The aim of any control measures must be simply to prevent any clinically affected animals being born and eventually to eliminate the defective ‘x’ from the breeding population. With the development of laboratory tests for the recessive genes that cause the two conditions, tests for L-2-HGA are already available, the first step must be not to breed two carriers together– ensuring both sire and dam are tested prior to mating should guarantee this. Previously the only way of knowing a dog is a carrier is when it has produced affected off-spring. With careful selection, breeders, who have lines affected with either condition should be able to get rid of the defective genes within two or three generations while hopefully maintaining the quality of stock they desire.

Clearly not using any carriers at all in breeding programmes would soon eliminate the recessive genes for HC and L-2-HGA and some may advocate this. However this would cause a possibly serious reduction in the gene pool, even in a breed like the Stafford which has a comparatively large pool, and could inadvertently permit the emergence of other genetic defects.

Vaccination. It is strongly recommended that all owners get their dogs fully vaccinated against the various infectious diseases included in the British protocol when 8-12 weeks by their vet. Failure to do so may put their dogs at unnecessary risk. There is considerable debate about the need and frequency for ‘booster' doses of vaccine. Owners are therefore advised to look into the matter, and to discuss with their vet if need be, so that an informed decision can be reached.

Eye Testing . Two serious hereditary eye conditions may occur in Staffords: Juvenile Hereditary Cataract (HC), which leads to cataract development and total loss of vision during puppy hood and requires surgery to restore sight, and Persistent Hereditary Primary Vitreous (PHPV), which is a failure of the embryonic blood vessels within the eye to disappear completely by birth. Severe PHPV may lead to serious sight problems but mild PHPV is unlikely to cause any problems but no affected dog should be bred from.

It is strongly recommended that breeders should have all the puppies in a litter examined when 6/7 weeks old by a member of the KC/BVA Eye Panel. This will detect PHPV, should it be present. All dogs should tested or re-tested when about 18 months old or before breeding to ensure that they are clear of HC as well as PHPV.

If a dog is considered to have either HC or PHPV then the testing vet should inform the owner of the right of appeal or of getting a second opinion. Owners are strongly advised to do this to confirm the diagnosis.

The names of vets qualified to conduct eye testing may be had from the Kennel Club or from breed club secretaries. Notice of eye testing sessions at shows or organized by clubs may be given in the canine press.

HEREDITARY EYE DISEASE in Dogs, to View or Download Click here

For further information on HC and PHPV, click ‘here'.

For futher information on Eye Clinics click here

For Information on the Eye Condition P.P.S.C click here

Hair Loss. There are causes of hair loss in Stafford's. Demodectic mange, caused by a mite, is the most serious and requires veterinary advice. Hormonal disturbances in bitches may produce a thinning of the coat and it will depend on its extent if further action is required. If hair loss is accompanied by reddening of the skin or pustular lesions then you must consult you vet as these may indicate bacterial or fungal infection.

Stafford's may develop a small bald patch about the size of a 5p piece on their heads around the time of teething. Unless the patch is red or pustular, this is usually nothing to worry about and the hair will grow back about twelve months old. Owners should simply monitor the situation and only seek veterinary advice if matters get worse or do not clear up when over one year.

Intestinal Parasites ( Worms ). All dogs are likely to have been infected with the dog roundworm, Toxocara canis, in their dam's womb. This can sometimes cause problems in young puppies and there is a small risk to humans. Dogs may also be infected with tapeworms from raw meat, Taenia spp, or the dog tapeworm, Echinococcus sp, when older; the latter is only found in certain farming locations in Britain but does pose a human health risk.

It is recommended that breeders ensure that puppies are ‘wormed' adequately from two weeks of age onwards using approved ‘wormers' from the vet. Older dogs should be treated regularly, perhaps 2-4 time per year and all bitches should be treated prior to mating.

To View a D.N.A. PROFILING Sample Certificate Click here