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Five Common Problems in Pedigree Dogs

Health and welfare problems in pedigree dogs can arise as a result of the deliberate selection for exaggerated physical features or as a result of inherited disease. While some of the following problems can occur in any breed, cross breed or mixed breed dogs, purebred pedigree dogs are at greater risk and appear to be over-represented clinically. This is mainly due to traditional breeding practices.

Breed Example: British Bulldogs

Below are some of the known inherited disorders reported in some British Bulldogs. This breed has been selected as an example only, in a bid to illustrate how purposely breeding for specific physical characteristics can affect health and welfare. Responsible breeders are aware of the significant disorders in their breed and strive to reduce the incidence of these disorders in the next generation.

Difficulty breathing

Some breeds of pedigree dogs with very short muzzles (termed brachycephalic) can have difficulty breathing due to a disorder known as brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS). In these dogs the skull length is reduced, but the amount of soft tissue in the muzzle is not, resulting in the same amount of tissue being squeezed into a smaller area. This characteristic has been deliberately selected in order to conform to the breed standard.

Dogs with BAOS usually have small and narrow nostril openings and elongated soft palates that hang down into the airway, both of which make breathing difficult. BAOS may be progressive with laryngeal and tracheal collapse occurring at later stages. Some dogs require surgery to alleviate their breathing difficulties and to try to improve their quality of life.

Symptoms
  • Serious difficulty breathing
  • High blood pressure
  • Low oxygen concentration in the blood
  • Fainting or collapsing due to a lack of oxygen
  • Facial fold dermatitis (inflammation/infection of the skin due to excessive skin folds on the face)
  • Excessive flatulence (as affected dogs habitually gulp and swallow air to try to overcome their breathing difficulties)
Breeds at risk
  • Pekingese
  • English Bull dog
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
  • French Bull dog
  • Pug
  • Staffordshire Bull terrier
  • Shih Tzu
  • Lhasa Apso
  • Shar Pei
  • Boxer
  • Boston Terrier
  • among others

NB Recent changes to breed standards have sought to moderate physical features such as muzzle length and nostril size and move away from exaggeration.

Responsible breeders do not breed from animals with serious breathing difficulties.

Difficulty giving birth

Certain pedigree breeds frequently have difficulty giving birth without surgical intervention (termed obstructive dystocia). Individuals of these breeds are deliberately selected for a large head, broad shoulders and narrow pelvis simultaneously, which results in a large foetal head:maternal pelvis ratio. This is known as cephalopelvic disproportion and means that the pup's head and shoulders are too large to fit through the mother's pelvic canal. Bitches with this problem cannot give birth safely without veterinary assistance in the form of a Caesarean section.

Breeds at risk

This problem is common in breeds with large heads and wide shoulders such as

  • English Bulldogs
  • Pugs
  • Boston Terriers
  • Scottish Terriers

NB Recent changes to breed standards have sought to moderate physical features such as head size and shoulder breadth and move away from exaggeration.

Difficulty walking

Certain pedigree breeds have been selectively bred for physical features that can lead to walking difficulties.

Chondrodystrophia

A condition in which the cartilage grows and matures abnormally and the long bones fuse faster than normal, leading to stunted growth. Chondrodystrophic breeds are actively selected for this abnormality, which results in disproportionately short and curved limbs. These breeds have an increased likelihood of spinal injury, not only due to their excessively long spinal columns and excessively short legs but also because their abnormal cartilage makes them susceptible to ruptured discs (termed Intervertebral disc disease). When the spinal disc ruptures it puts direct pressure on the spinal cord, causing extreme pain and potential neurological problems.

Symptoms
  • Severe pain
  • Neurological deficits - disruption of normal nerve signals leading to movement problems, including difficulty walking and in severe cases, complete paralysis
Breeds at risk
  • Basset Hound (which also have a relatively large and heavy head, which places further strain on their spinal column)
  • Dachshund (long, smooth and wire-haired)
  • Miniature Dachshund (long, smooth and wire-haired)
  • Shih Tzu
  • Lucas terriers
  • among others

NB Recent changes to breed standards have sought to moderate physical features such as the length of the limbs and move away from exaggeration.

Responsible Dachshund breeders do not breed from animals that have intervertebral disc disease and this is recommended by certain Dachshund Breed clubs.

Hip dysplasia

The abnormal formation of the hip joint - probably the most commonly recognised musculoskeletal problem in dogs.

Symptoms
  • Lameness
  • Progressive degeneration of the hip joint
  • Crippling arthritis
  • Pain, difficulty walking
Breeds at risk
  • German Shepherd
  • St Bernard
  • Alaskan Malamute
  • Bulldogs
  • Golden Retriever
  • Rottweiler
  • Labrador Retriever
  • among other breeds and particularly large breed dogs

NB Responsible breeders screen dogs for hip dysplasia through the Australian Veterinary Association/Australian National Kennel Council Canine Hip Dysplasia Scheme or the PennHip method.

Elbow dysplasia

The abnormal formation of the elbow joint.

Symptoms
  • Lameness
  • Progressive degeneration of the elbow joint
  • Crippling arthritis
  • Pain, difficulty walking
Breeds at risk
  • Bernese Mountain dog
  • Rottweiler
  • Labrador Retriever
  • Golden Retriever
  • Bull Mastiff
  • German Shepherd
  • St Bernard
  • among other breeds and particularly large breed dogs

NB Responsible breeders screen dogs for elbow dysplasia through the Australian Veterinary Association/Australian National Kennel Council Canine Elbow Dysplasia Scheme.

Serious Eye Problems

Pedigree dogs are predisposed to a number of serious eye diseases, many of which are the result of selectively breeding for a particular physical type in order to conform to the breed standard. Three common problems are corneal trauma and ulceration, entropion and progressive retinal atrophy.

Corneal trauma and ulceration

An erosion of the outer surface of the eye following injury. Breeds with very short muzzles (brachycephalic) have a high susceptibility for corneal trauma and ulceration. This is because the shorter the nose, the shallower the eye socket, and thus the more prominent the eye. Prominent, bulging eyes are at greater risk of injury and sometimes the eyes can proptose (pop out of the eye socket). In these breeds the eyelids cannot close properly over the bulging eye leading to dry eye and potential ulceration.

Symptoms
  • Pain & discomfort
  • Potential blindness
  • Sometimes the affected eye needs to be removed
Breeds at risk

All brachycephalic breeds are at risk including

  • Pug
  • Shih Tzu
  • Pekingese

NB Recent changes to breed standards have sought to moderate physical features such as eye size and the degree of eye protrusion and move away from exaggeration. Certain breed standards now state that the dog should be free from obvious eye problems.

Entropion

A condition where the eyelids fold inwards and rub onto the surface of the eye. This condition occurs frequently in those breeds that have been selected for wrinkled facial features (excessive skin fold about the eyes). These folds also predispose the dog to facial fold dermatitis.

Symptoms
  • Constant rubbing/irritation from the hairs, leading to trauma and ulceration of the eye surface
  • Pain & discomfort
  • Potential blindness
Breeds at risk
  • Shar Pei (the pups often require an 'eyelift' surgery in infancy to prevent erosion and ulceration of their eyes. This surgery may need to be repeated at later stages)
  • Chow Chow
  • British Bulldog
  • Pekingese
  • Pug
  • Shih Tzu
  • Pomeranian
  • Cocker Spaniel
  • among many others

NB Recent changes to breed standards have sought to moderate physical features and move away from exaggeration. Certain breed standards now state that the dog should be free of entropion and free from obvious eye problems.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

The term given to a group of genetic eye diseases that cause the retina to gradually degenerate. The result is progressive loss of vision and eventual blindness. In nearly all breeds the condition is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, thus breeding from close relatives greatly increases the risk of inheriting this disease.

Symptoms
  • Progressive loss of vision
  • Eventual blindness
Breeds at risk
  • Many breeds of dogs including those in the Gundog, Hound, Non-Sporting, Terrier, Toy, Utility and Working dog groups, but most commonly
  • Cocker Spaniels
  • Poodles
  • Australian Cattle Dogs
  • Silky Terriers
  • Labradors

NB Responsible breeders screen dogs for PRA through the Australian Veterinary Association/ Australian National Kennel Council Australian Canine Eye Scheme. 

Certain pedigree breed clubs in Australia acknowledge predispositions for inherited eye disease in their breeds and proactively engage in sound breeding practices to eradicate these disorders.

Serious Skin Problems

Many pedigree breeds are predisposed toward the development of serious skin problems, many of which are the result of selectively breeding for a particular physical type in accordance with the breed standard requirements. Two examples of serious skin problems are: excessive skin folds and inherited allergies. 

Excessive skin folds

Many breed standards require that the dog have excessive and wrinkled skin. Unfortunately this excess skin leads to folding and subsequent inflammation and infection.

Symptoms
  • Dermatitis (inflammation/infection of the skin)
  • Discomfort & irritation
  • Pain
 Breeds at risk
  • Facial fold dermatitis: brachycephalic breeds such as the English Bulldog, Pug, Pekingese, Boston Terrier and French Bulldog (excessive facial folds may also lead to entropion & corneal ulceration).
  • Tail fold dermatitis: English Bulldog, Pug
  • Lip fold dermatitis: American Cocker Spaniel, English Cocker Spaniel, St Bernard.
  • Leg fold dermatitis: Basset Hound
  • Labial fold dermatitis: Spaniels, Setters, Golden Retriever, St Bernard, Blood Hounds and Newfoundlands
  • General body fold dermatitis/interdigital dermatitis: Shar Pei

NB Recent changes to breed standards have sought to moderate physical features and move away from exaggeration. Certain breed standards now state that the skin should not be excessive.

Inherited allergies

Certain pedigree dog breeds are predisposed to major skin allergies that can severely compromise quality of life.

Symptoms
  • Constant and severe itching that often interferes with sleeping and the ability to have a normal life
  • Lesions may become infected causing discomfort and pain
  • Dogs with skin allergies often have accompanying ear infections (also with an allergic basis) that can become chronic and difficult to treat
Breeds at risk
  • West Highland White Terrier
  • Shar Pei
  • German Shepherd
  • Bull Terrier
  • Pug
  • English Springer Spaniel
  • American Cocker Spaniel
  • Dalmatian
  • among many others

Dogs that are selectively bred for extra-long ears that hang over their ear openings (e.g. American Cocker Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, Basset Hound, Poodle etc) are also predisposed to ear infections as the covered ear canals can become abnormally hot and humid (perfect breeding grounds for bacterial and yeast infections). The Shar Pei is also prone to ear infections due to their excessively narrow ear canals, with some requiring ear surgery to open the canal.

NB Responsible breeders do not breed from animals with severe allergies that are known or strongly suspected to have a hereditary basis. Responsible breeders do not breed from mating pairs known to have produced affected offspring in the past.

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