Link to: CED Breed Health Conservation Plan
Currently the CED/CID has not shown any serious signs of genetic disorders, these are disorders that are inherited by breeding dogs that carry or are affected by the disorder. Some health issues and diseases have been apparent and it is increasingly difficult to gain information from owners and breeders. There are screening tests that some owners, breeders and the CEDCGB recommend, primarily these are hip testing or scoring as it is otherwise known and eye testing. Since the start of 2018 the CEDCGB have now made compulsory testing of Hips, Eyes and Degenerative Myelopathy and Advisory testing of Long Coat gene as part of their Code Of Ethics. Several breeders and owners have donated DNA samples for testing with regards to the isolation of the dna for the breed. This has been completed with the Wisdom Panel and heading the study Casey Knox from the USA.
There are dogs in the UK and around the world with reported or suspected health issues. Some of these are listed and explained below. The CEDCGB advise reading our Code Of Ethics and making sure the breeder you buy from can supply all the relevant paperwork to support these tests.
Cryptorchidism: where one or both testicles fail to descend normally into the scrotum and are retained within the dog. This is not to be confused with monorchidism: where the dog only has one testicle. Cryptorchidism has been researched in many breeds and is believed to be genetic. This means it runs in families or lines.
Hip Dysplasia: an abnormal formation of the hip joints. Tested for by xraying the dogs pelvic/hip area. It can be painful and cause severe stiffness to the joints giving obvious movement issues. This can be caused by injury but most commonly is an hereditary fault passed on by either or both of the parents. We are pleased that the CED/CID currently has a breed mean score of 10 which has been lowered over the past couple of years. You can view online statistics at the BVA.
Cataracts: Can present themselves in young dogs between 1 -3 years, old age, trauma or inherited. The latter being the most common cause of canine cataract. They have been found in several dogs in the early days of sourcing and importing dogs but sadly more recently it has presented itself. Yearly testing of breeding stock is paramount and BVA eye schemes can be found all over the UK to make testing easier.
Degenerative Myelopathy known as DM has been found as carriers in some dogs tested under the Wisdom Panel survey of the breed. This disease is painless but debilitating. A progressive disease of the spinal cord that slowly progresses from instability to loss of the use of limbs working from the rear forwards. There is no cure for the onset only treatments to delay or assist with symptoms. A simple cheek swab and test can be taken to give a result of clear, carrier or affected. Only clear or carrier stock should be bred from but further help and advice can be obtained by contacting the Breed Health Co-Ordinator.
Other health issues that have been reported but not seen regularly in the breed are Detatched Retina’s, Addisons disease, Allergies and fertility problems. Another one that sadly affects dogs of all breeds and of course humans is Cancer. Lots of tests and trials are on going to test for this terrible disease that presents itself in many forms. If you know of any health issues please share this information. Not only is it important now but for the future of the breed.
You can contact the Breed Health Advisor see the committee page for contact details or fill out our Health Declaration Document and then send it to us. This information is very important for completing Kennel Club returns, health surveys and future health testing research.