Club Code of Ethics – 15.3. To breed only from hip scored dogs or bitches, or those which have foreign grades passed for breeding. The breeder will not breed from bitches or dogs with a hip score of over 20, or where the combined score of a mating will exceed 25 in total.

Hip dysplasia is the most common inherited orthopaedic disease in large and giant breed dogs, and occurs in many medium-sized breeds as well. The hip joint is a “ball and socket” joint; the “ball” (the top part of the thigh bone or femur) fits into a “socket” (acetabulum) formed by the pelvis. If there is a loose fit between these bones, and the ligaments which help to hold them together are loose, the ball may slide part way out of the socket (subluxate). 

Hip scoring is a vital method used to assess the health of your dog’s hip joints. The process involves X-rays taken either by a veterinary surgeon or there are some regional Imaging centres, for example Southern Canine Imaging or Moy Vets. X-rays are taken when the dog is over one year old and either under sedation or general anaesthetic. Ensure you take the original paperwork for dog, as well as a copy of original official pedigree, with you to the vets for x-rays. The xrays are then sent to the BVA for scoring. The hip-scoring system can be confusing. The score is determined by allocating points to each imperfection on the ball and socket of each hip joint. The minimum (best) score for each hip is 0, while the maximum (worst) is 53, making a total of 106 when multiplied by two for both hips.  Basically: the higher the score, the more likelihood of Hip Dysplasia developing. You should look for scores as even as possible e.g. you don’t want an uneven number such as 1:12, as this could indicate a problem in one hip.

The Kennel Club and the BVA publish the average hip scores for various dog breeds, known as the breed median score. This data (calculated from all the scores recorded from the previous 5 years) enables you, as a breeder or owner, to compare your dog’s score with the breed average. In Hovawarts this is 8/9

For further information about the Hip Dysplasia Scheme for dogs from the BVA (British Veterinary Association) please follow the link: BVA Hip Scheme

Club Code of Ethics – 15.4. Not to breed from a dog or bitch resident in the UK until a blood test has shown that the thyroid function is within the normal range valid at the date and time of the test. A copy of the result of the blood test to be forwarded to the Club Secretary for publication in the Year Book and inclusion in the Club’s Health Register. The blood test should include Free T4, Total T4, Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAA) and cTSH, and should be conducted no more than 2 years prior to the mating. Breeders should be aware that the results may be affected by various drug therapies, and bitches being in season.

The Hovawart Club of Great Britain has for many years advised that breeding dogs and bitches should be tested for hypothyroidism before breeding.

This was because some of the early dogs imported from the continent had problems with hypothyroidism. However, until now the tests to be used, and the frequency/timing of the tests have not been specified.

More information about canine hypothyroidism can be found on the http://www.hemopet.org/ website.

Background Information.

The thyroid makes three hormones that it secretes into the bloodstream. Two of these hormones, called thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), increase the body’s metabolic rate. The other hormone helps to control the amount of calcium in the blood.

In order to make T3 and T4, the thyroid gland needs iodine, a substance found in food. T4 is called this because it contains four atoms of iodine. T3 contains three atoms of iodine. In the cells and tissues of the body most T4 is converted to T3. T3 is the more active hormone; it influences the activity of all the cells and tissues of the body.

The main job of the thyroid gland is to produce hormones T4 and T3. To do this the thyroid gland has to take a form of iodine from the bloodstream into the thyroid gland itself. This substance then undergoes a number of different chemical reactions which result in the production of T3 and T4.

The activity of the thyroid is controlled by hormones produced by two parts of the brain, the hypothalamus and the pituitary. The hypothalamus receives input from the body about the state of many different bodily functions. When the hypothalamus senses levels of T3 and T4 are low, or that the body’s metabolic rate is low, it releases a hormone called thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH travels to the pituitary via the connecting blood vessels. TRH stimulates the pituitary to secrete thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

TSH is released from the pituitary into the bloodstream and travels to the thyroid gland. Here TSH causes cells within the thyroid to make more T3 and T4. T3 and T4 are then released into the bloodstream where they increase metabolic activity in the body’s cells.

The major form of thyroid hormone in the blood is thyroxine (T4), which has a longer half-life than T3. The ratio of T4 to T3 released into the blood is roughly 20 to 1.

A complete baseline thyroid profile is typically includes total T4, total T3, free T4, free T3, T3AA and T4AA, and can include cTSH and/or TgAA. The TgAA assay is especially important in screening breeding stock for heritable autoimmune thyroid disease.

Terms used:

T4:         Thyroxine
FT4D:     Free T4 by Dialysis
T3:         Triiodothyronine
T3AA:    triiodothyronine autoantibodies (T3AA)
T4AA:    Thyroxine autoantibodies
cTSH:     thyroid stimulating hormone
TgAA and TgAb: Thyroglobulin autoantibody (TgAA) or antibody (TgAb)

What tests?

The most useful tests for assessing the likelihood of inherited hypothyroidism is probably TgAA (also called TgAb). However as this can be affected by some other factors Total T4, Free T4, and cTSH should also be included to help interpret the results.

These blood tests can be obtained from any vet, just remember to be clear on which tests you want.

When to test.

Thyroid tests can be affected by oestus (season) in bitches, by some drug therapies, and by vaccination.

You should therefore plan to test bitches half-way between seasons. Testing should not be carried out 30-45 days following vaccination (including rabies.) Steroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also affect the results. Consult a vet if you are not sure.

Proposal for the Code of Ethics for Breeders.

Following discussion the committee has decided to put a proposal to the AGM in 2015 regarding thyroid testing, which involves amending the Code of Ethics 15.4.

This currently reads:

‘Not to breed from a dog or bitch resident in the UK until a blood test has shown that the thyroid function is within the normal range valid at the date and time of the test. A copy of the result of the blood test to be forwarded to the Club Secretary for publication in the Year Book and inclusion in the Club’s Health Register.’

The proposal is to change this to:

‘Not to breed from a dog or bitch resident in the UK until a blood test comprising Total T4, Free T4, cTSH and TgAA has shown that the thyroid function is within the normal range valid at the date and time of the test. This test should be done no more than 2 years prior to the mating. A copy of the result of the blood test to be forwarded to the Club Secretary for publication in the Year Book and inclusion in the Club’s Health Register.’

Common Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

• Lethargy – tires on long walk, sleeps a lot, lack of interest in play
• Weight gain, sometimes without an apparent gain in appetite
• Skin infections
• Dry skin
• Hair loss, especially on the trunk or tail (“rat’s tail”)
• Skin changes such as discoloration or thickening where hair loss has occurred.
• Cold intolerance/seeking out warm places to lie down
• Slow heart rate
• Chronic ear infections
• Major behavioural changes including unprovoked aggression, seizures, anxiety and/or compulsivity.
• Depression

Stages of Thyroid Disease and thyroid test result.    

Club Code of Ethics – 15.5. Not to breed from a dog or bitch until a DNA test for Degenerative Myelopathy
(DM) has been performed, and a copy of the DNA result forwarded to the Club Secretary for publication in the Year Book and inclusion in the Club’s Health Register. No dog should automatically be excluded from breeding on the basis of a result, but matings should be planned to avoid the production of offspring with a double copy of the affected SOD1 gene and therefore considered to be more at risk of developing DM.

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the spinal cord of dogs. DM is a recessive disorder. If a dog has one copy of the mutated gene, there is a very small risk they could develop DM symptoms however this risk is very low.  Genetic testing reveals the susceptibility of dogs developing DM. It is important to note that even though a dog possesses two copies of the mutated gene, it does not mean that the dog will develop symptoms of DM. It simply means that the likelihood of the dog developing DM symptoms is much higher than average.

Dogs that have inherited two mutated genes may experience a breakdown of the cells responsible for sending and receiving signals from the brain, resulting in neurological symptoms. This breakdown of communication between the body and the brain can have several effects.

The disease often begins with an unsteady gait, and the dog may wobble when they attempt to walk. As the disease progresses, the dog’s hind legs will weaken and eventually the dog will not be unable to walk at all. Degenerative Myelopathy moves up the body. If the disease is allowed to progress, the dog will eventually be unable to hold his bladder and will lose normal function in its front legs. Fortunately, there is no direct pain associated with Degenerative Myelopathy. DM generally occurs later in life. It typically begins an average age of about 10 years. However, some dogs may begin experiencing symptoms much earlier.

The test is non invasive, it involves taking a cheek swab which can be ordered from

Animal Genetics (Europe)

1 Mount Charles Rd.
St. Austell, PL25 3LB
United Kingdom

01726 247788

Laboklin
20 Wheel Forge Way
Trafford Park
Stretford
Manchester
M17 1EH

0161 282 3066

www.laboklin.co.uk

Results

DM/DM
At Risk: Dog has two copies of the DM mutation and is at a significantly higher risk of developing DM, The mutation will always be passed on to every offspring. Affectedness varies by breed.

n/DM
Heterozygous: Dog carries one copy of the mutation associated with Degenerative Myelopathy. In some breeds, there is a low risk of the dog developing the disorder

n/n
Clear: Dog is negative for mutation associated with Degenerative Myelopathy.