Pems vs Cardi genetics and hereditary issues

[Redwolf]

I'm still doing research about which corgi I want to get. I've noticed that there are some genetic and hereditary issues that each of the corgis have. I know that you can't get rid of all deases. I know to ask the breeders about the history of the line. What else should I do or ask?

Redwolf

[glencorgi]

The primary health concerns in both breeds are hip dysplasia and eye problems.

In Pembrokes there is also vWD (vonWillebrand's Disease) - a bleeding disorder where the blood doesn't clot, similar to hemophilia in humans. Unfortunately, we are once again at something of problem with the reliablity of vWD testing. Old blood tests were not reliable, although they are better now and the DNA marker test has proven to be inaccurate in some cases.

In Cardigans there is also PRA (progressive retinal atrophy) which leads to blindness. Fortunately the DNA marker test is reliable, so while you might not see test results on the parents, you can find proof that pups are cleared by parentage or line cleared.

These apply to both breeds:
What you want to see is the certificates on the parents. Eyes are cleared by CERF exams which can only be done by certified veterinary opthmalogists. Hips are x-rayed and the two main screening organizations are OFA (ratings of parents can be found in the database at <http://www.offa.org>if parents are tested. Penn Hip is somewhat different, does not have a database, but a breeder should be able to provide the results for you.

A breeder who says "my vet says such and such isn't a problem in the breed" or "my vet said they were healthy" is a breeder to avoid.

I think you were leaning towards and more interested in the Cardigans from what I gathered in some of your earlier posts. I hope you have checked with the breeder referral contact for the CWCCA <http://www.cardigancorgis.com> Also I'd recommend attending some local dog shows if possible and after the breeds have finished showing see if you can spend some time around the breeds/dogs and talk to some breeders and owners. A list of shows can be found at <http://www.infodog.com> under the show information link. AKC also has a listing of shows now too and there are searches available by state. Also check out <http://www.corg-l.org>. There are some good articles there about breed differences as well as an article on what to look for in a responsible breeder that might help with your side of the "interview" process.

Good luck!
Debbie

[Bailey's driver]

Originally Posted by glencorgi

The primary health concerns in both breeds are hip dysplasia and eye problems.

My daughter theoretically owns the dog that lives with me in my house. Even though she doe not live here. I did not go to the breeders or see the pups or the parents. She brought back a book with his ancestors and parents in it. It looks like there is no hip displeasure in his ancestors. He is a purebred. According to my daughter the breeder said he was already "checked" for hip problems before she brought him home about 8 weeks old. Now Bailey is 14 months old. This is his second and less severe limping episode. He was checked by hand by the vet and has pain in one hip and not the other. He's going in for X-rays next week.

Can a dog under 8 weeks old really be "checked" reliably for hip displeasure?
The animal is not fully grown, I would think things can change.
Any suggestions?

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by Bailey's driver

My daughter theoretically owns the dog that lives with me in my house. Even though she doe not live here. I did not go to the breeders or see the pups or the parents. She brought back a book with his ancestors and parents in it.

Sounds like his pedigree - sire, dam, grand parents, etc.

It looks like there is no hip displeasure in his ancestors. He is a purebred.?

It's hip dysplasia, and unless there are OFA ratings in the pedigree. That isn't going to tell you anything.
This is what I am talking about would look like:
Sire: CH Kennel Name I'm a Super Star
DL23456789 11-96 OFA31F

Dam: CH Kennel Name I'm a Good Girl
DN1234567 10-04 OFA32G

The numbers after the D is the AKC registration number. The date after that is the year they were entered into the stud book. The letter after the OFA number is the hip rating. F = fair, G = good, E = excellent. IF this information isn't on there, then you have no idea about hip dysplasia in the previous generations. IF by chance the breeder was using Penn-Hip evaluations, there would be no record on an AKC pedigree, but the information should have been included in Bailey's records.

According to my daughter the breeder said he was already "checked" for hip problems before she brought him home about 8 weeks old.

HA!!! Seriously, not possible.

Now Bailey is 14 months old. This is his second and less severe limping episode. He was checked by hand by the vet and has pain in one hip and not the other. He's going in for X-rays next week.

Acknowledged or not by veterinarians, hip dysplasia is a problem in corgis.

Can a dog under 8 weeks old really be "checked" reliably for hip displeasure?

NO, they can't. Unless there are obvious physical abnormalities visible at that age (and there can be some physical deformities which show up) a breeder nor a vet is going to xray a puppy's hips at that age. Six months is the earliest that OFA or PennHip will recognize xray's on a puppy. A permanent OFA number is not issued until a dog is 2 years of age.

The animal is not fully grown, I would think things can change.
Any suggestions?

Yes things can change. At Bailey's age and with the severity of the limping episodes, having him xrayed is a very good idea.

Debbie

[Bailey's driver]

Originally Posted by glencorgi

Sounds like his pedigree - sire, dam, grand parents, etc.



It's hip dysplasia, and unless there are OFA ratings in the pedigree. That isn't going to tell you anything.
This is what I am talking about would look like:
Sire: CH Kennel Name I'm a Super Star
DL23456789 11-96 OFA31F

Dam: CH Kennel Name I'm a Good Girl
DN1234567 10-04 OFA32G

The numbers after the D is the AKC registration number. The date after that is the year they were entered into the stud book. The letter after the OFA number is the hip rating. F = fair, G = good, E = excellent. IF this information isn't on there, then you have no idea about hip dysplasia in the previous generations. IF by chance the breeder was using Penn-Hip evaluations, there would be no record on an AKC pedigree, but the information should have been included in Bailey's records.



HA!!! Seriously, not possible.



Acknowledged or not by veterinarians, hip dysplasia is a problem in corgis.



NO, they can't. Unless there are obvious physical abnormalities visible at that age (and there can be some physical deformities which show up) a breeder nor a vet is going to xray a puppy's hips at that age. Six months is the earliest that OFA or PennHip will recognize xray's on a puppy. A permanent OFA number is not issued until a dog is 2 years of age.



Yes things can change. At Bailey's age and with the severity of the limping episodes, having him xrayed is a very good idea.

Debbie

Thank you.