Health in the PWD

Late onset blindness  PRA is a group of inherited diseases that cause irreversible degeneration of the retina and eventually causes blindness. Test available

GM1- Gangliosidosis - Storage Disease 

 is a recessive genetic disorder which can be found in both humans and Portuguese Water Dogs. GM1 Gangliosidosis is fatal to affected puppies. Affected puppies are produced by breeding a “Carrier” to a “Carrier”. Dogs who are tested and found to be either “Normal” (non-carrier) or “Carrier” will have a normal life expectancy. Test available

Juvenile Dilated Cardio Myopathy, JDCM, is a deadly disease found in the breed. It is recessively inherited and causes sudden death in puppies between the ages of five weeks and seven months. Test available

Micro Ophthalmia Syndrome or Puppy eye syndrome  

This is a congenital abnormality present bilaterally and characterized by a small globe and associated ocular defects which can affect the cornea, anterior chamber, lens and/or retina. These associated defects may be variable in severity. Several cases have been identified, all of which appeared to have a common ancestry. All affected animals so far identified have been the progeny of dogs that were phenotypically normal, suggesting that the defect is not dominantly inherited. 

Dogs with microphthalmia should not be used for breeding. DNA test available

Early Onset PRA 

Another form of PRA named EOPRA (early onset PRA). Dr. Aguirre and Dr. Keiko Miyadera research has identified the gene causing EOPRA and developed a DNA mutation gene test to identify dogs that are either normal, carriers or affected. Both prcd-PRA and EOPRA are mutation gene tests. Test available

 CDDY with IVDD Risk is a trait that is common to many dog breeds and it is characterised by shorter legs due to shorter long bones. CDDY can also be associated with IVDD due to premature degeneration of the intervertebral disc. test available

Hip Dysplasia 

Xray screening scheme available

Eldow Dysplasia

Xray Screening scheme available

Annual Eye test screening scheme available

Addison's disease no test or screening scheme available, breeders should be honest and declare any addison affected dogs in their breeding

hypothyroid No DNA or screening scheme available,  Hypothyroidism results from impaired production and secretion of thyroid hormones. The production of thyroid hormones is influenced by the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus, and the thyroid gland. 

Epilepsy types:

Idiopathic has no identifiable structural cause and is assumed genetic

Structural occurs because of damage or malformations of the brain

Reactive seizures occur in response to particular stimuli like a toxin

Heritable epilepsy 

No test Available