Health of the Stabyhoun

What ABOUT THE HEALTH of the Stabyhoun?

The Stabyhoun is, despite its small population, fortunately a relatively healthy breed. The ASA, the NVSW and Fryske Point do everything to keep it that way.  Nevertheless, we see certain diseases more or less occurring regularly. The breeding program of our association, the ASA, is aimed to reduce these occurrences as much as possible.  It is not easy because the causes are not always clear and strictly hereditary. It would be unwise to exclude too many dogs from our breeding program, because then we stand to lose genetic material. Too few dogs inevitably results in a higher inbreeding percentage, which can lead to more genetic health problems. So there is a definite challenge in making smart matches!

Below are the problems that are known to the Stabyhoun breed along with how often (or how little) they occur in the population, and how we attempt to deal with it in our breeding program.

Hip dysplasia (HD)

Hip dysplasia is a developmental disorder of the hip joints caused by both genetic factors and environmental factors. Symptoms include difficulty getting up and lameness in the hindquarters. HD can be determined by making radiographs of the hip joints. An HD-A (Excellent or Good) result is the best, HD-E (Severe) the worst. How often does it occur: about 3 to 4 times a year radiographic HD D in a Staby is clinically observed in Holland, however, these are rarely formally reported. Only a very few times lameness is seen that an operation was necessary.  HD-E has only been recorded once in Holland over the past 10 years. The breeding regulation of the ASA: HD radiographs are required. Results of A and B (Excellent, Good or Fair) may be bred with dogs receiving the equivalent ratings.  Read more detailed information on Hip Dysplasia

Elbow dysplasia (ED)

Elbow dysplasia is a collective name for the three types of developmental elbow joints caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Sufferers exhibit lameness in the front legs. ED sufferers can be determined by x-ray, while carriers. How common is it: average 3 to 4 times a year ED is reported in a Staby, often recognized by a lame walk; dogs must then often need surgery. There is a good prognosis if intervened in time. The breeding regulation of the ASA: ED radiographs are required. Proven sufferers and carriers should not be bred (a proven carrier is a dog that has passed the same condition in 2 different litters). Immediate family of a sufferer not be combined with dogs who also have sufferers in their direct family lineage. Read detailed information about Elbow Dysplasia

Epilepsy

In epilepsy, a fault in the brain suddenly occurs, and the dog loses control over a part of his body: he falls down and gets violent muscle spasms, foaming at the mouth can occur and he can lose control over his urine or feces. However, there are also milder forms of expression. Epilepsy can be hereditary but also can be caused by environmental factors. The hereditary form reveals itself in the Staby usually around two years of age. How often do we see this: on average, four reports per year are seen in Holland. Before the breeding regulation was established there, epilepsy was more common. The breeding regulation of the ASA:  preventive research on carriers is not possible. Proven sufferers and carriers should not be bred (a proven carrier is a dog has passed that same condition in 2 different litters).  Immediate family of a sufferer not be combined with dogs who also have sufferers in their direct family lineage. Read detailed information about epilepsy

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)

This is a heart condition. The veterinarian can hear this condition on the left side of the heart at the age of 6 to 7 weeks. It sounds like a loud engine noise. The cause is that a major blood vessel does not proper close shortly after birth. The occurrence may be spontaneous and an isolated case, but it is also genetically determined.  If not treated, the patient eventually dies from heart failure. With timely surgery, the prognosis is excellent. How common is it: PDA is found in 2 to 3 litters a year in Holland although that number seems to be on the rise some.  There is additional extensive investigation being done in collaboration with the University of Utrecht.  The breeding regulation of the ASA: preventive research on carriers is not possible. Proven sufferers and carriers should not be bred (a proven carrier is a dog has passed that same condition in 2 different litters).  Immediate family of a sufferer not be combined with dogs who also have sufferers in their direct family lineage. Read detailed information about PDA

Neurological disorder

Thia ia a relatively new problem, for which we have not yet found the cause, however we assume it to be a hereditary problem. Around 6 weeks, puppies exhibit a compulsive deviant behavior: always repeating the same movement, circling, reversing direction, or walking back and forth. Sufferers have an excessive urge to move, eat poorly, becoming emaciated and dying within a few months. How common is it: it's so far been detected in only five litters. The breeding regulation of the ASA: because we do not know what it is or how it is inherited, stricter breeding rules apply to family members of sufferers than in other diseases. Research is being conducted into the cause, in collaboration with the University of Utrecht. Read more detailed information about the neurological problem

VWD, Type I (VWD)

VWD is a bleeding disorder that occurs in 3 types. The Type I, the mildest form, has been detected in the Staby.  Here there is a reduced production of a specific coagulation factor causing dogs to bleed for an extended time. Owners often do not notice this with their dog. Carriers have little to no risk, but sufferers can have problems if severely wounded or run into problems during surgery. There is a DNA test available to sufferers, and  carriers can be identified. How common is it: roughly a quarter of the Staby population is free of VWD, half are carriers and a quarter are sufferers. Clinical symptoms are rarely reported. The breeding regulation of the ASA: there is no breeding policy for VWD; the DNA test is not required as there have been no reported problems, even with the sufferers. Read more detailed information about Von Willebrands Disease

Other health problems are sporadically reported which we can not always determine whether it is an isolated case or whether it is genetic. These dogs should not be bred in any case.