SCHIPPERKE HEALTH CONCERNS

While Schipperkes are a fairly healthy breed as a whole, there are a number of problems seen on a consistant basis in Schips. The best way to assure yourself of a healthy pet, is to be sure you get your new pet from a responsible breeder, one who does the health testing that is available, and knows the health status and history of several generations of dogs behind your pet.

Health tests can and should be registered with the appropriate agency ... most health tests relevant to Schipperkes can be registered with the OFA. Please see the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals website (OFFA.ORG) for more information on health tests that are available, as well as why they are important.

The main health concerns seen in today's Schipperkes, and some Off-Site links relating to them...

Allergies and Skin Problems. Various allergy and skin problems can be found in Schips. Ask the breeder of your new pet about the allergy status of your pets ancestors. To help avoid thyroid problems that can lead to allergies and autoimmune problems, Thyroid testing is recommended for all Schipperkes used for breeding, especially dogs over 5.
Allergies in general: Canine Allergies. A skin condition found in Schips, Pemphigus Foliaceus is the most common autoimmune skin disorder of dogs.

Cushing's Disease. Also known as hyperadrenocorticism, is the production of too much adrenal hormone, . While Cushing's is not considered hereditary at this time, it seems to be found in older Schipperkes fairly often.

Eyes. Schipperkes used for breeding or performance events should be examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist, to detect any eye problems. The results are registered with the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF). 20% of schips CERFed in the last 10 years have had abnormal results. While most problems found in schips are minor, a number of serious hereditary eye diseases have been seen in schips, including PRA, catatacts and retinal dysplasia. Anterior subcapsular cataracts are considered a hereditary problem in Schips.

Hip Dysplasia. Hips can be certified through the OFA's Hip Registry or through PennHip. According to OFA statistics about 5% of Schipperkes evaluated have hip dysplasia... remember this is a low estimate since most breeders do not send in x-rays they know will fail. All Schipperkes used for breeding should be x-rayed to check for this problem.

Luxating Patella. Also called slipping stifles or slipping kneecaps, this problem is considered hereditary in Schipperkes. All dogs used for breeding or performance events should be vet checked for this. Dogs with normal patella are certified through the OFA's Patellar Registry. Dogs with luxating patella are graded 1 through 4, dogs with low grade LP (1) often don't need surgery, higher grades (2-4) usually do. I would not recommend using a dog with any grade of LP in performance events. Luxating Patella was the most commonly reported orthopedic problem on the SCA's health survey.

MPS IIIB. The disease Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB (MPS IIIB),also known as Sanfilippo syndrome type IIIB, is an inherited disease classified as a lysosomal storage disease, found only in the Schipperke dog. The disease is caused by a simple recessive gene that is apparently wide spread in the breed, with the number of carriers currently estimated at 15%. Since it is a fatal disease, with no treatment available, all breeding stock should be tested to be sure that two carriers are not being bred together to avoid producing Affected puppies. Testing through the University of Pennsylvania has become available as of April 1, 2003, and all responsible breeders will have their breeding stock tested.

Seizures / Epilepsy. Dogs may seizure for many reasons, some hereditary, some not. Idiopathic epilepsy, defined as seizures of unknown origin, seems to be a hereditary or familial problem. Since dogs often don't begin seizing until they are 5 or more years old, be sure that the breeder of your new pet knows the seizure (hopefully lack of) status of your dogs ancestors. Currently, there is no way to determine if a seizure free dog "carries" epilepsy. Work is being done to develop a DNA test at several places including; The Canine Epilepsy Project.

Thyroid. Various thyroid problems can be found in Schips, autoimmune thyroiditis being one. Breeding stock should have had a full panel (8-way) test run, including checking T3, T4, Free T3, Free T4, T3 autoantibodies, and T4 autoantibodies. Normal thyroid test results can be registered through the OFA's Thyroid Registry. Over 14% of the Schipperkes thyroid tested by Michigan State had abnormal thyroid results.

Schipperkes Have Joined CHIC !!!

The Schipperke Club of America’s proposal to the Canine Health
Information Center (CHIC- the AKC/OFA/CERF program and Open Health Database – website: http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/) has been accepted. It is up and operating.

CHIC is an open health database tailored to the needs and concerns of each breed that has a
current health survey and presents an acceptable plan. This open health registry not only list the tests done with the dates and the results, but also shows sire, dam, offspring, siblings and half siblings through the sire and dam with notations of their tests and links to their pages if they are included in the database. Dogs that have been tested for the health concerns mandatory for their breed have been given a CHIC number whether the results are normal or abnormal. The owners of record of the schipperkes that have CHIC numbers will receive a certificate. Progressive breeders who are concerned about the future welfare of the Schipperke will be having their breeding dogs tested and the results recorded for the use of future breeders and Schipperke owners.