Portuguese Water Dog

Portuguese Water Dog

The Portuguese water dog, like most purebred dogs, has several known genetic health conditions. To ensure you are buying a healthy dog, do extensive research and find a reputable breeder through one of the national clubs, such as the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America and the American Kennel Club. In-breeding, the indiscriminate breeding of related dogs, can lead to an increased manifestation of genetic disorders in the breed.

Some genetic health conditions that may affect Portuguese water dogs include:
Portuguese Water Dogs

* Hip dysplasia
* Cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and ingrown eyelashes (Distichiasis)
* GM1 Storage Disease: this recessive, genetic disorder is caused by a deficiency of beta-galactosidase and is usually fatal. While possible, this condition has been nearly eliminated from the breed.
* Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy: this rare disease is caused by an autosomal recessive gene that affects young dogs who fall victim to heart failure. A genetic linkage test with a high degree of accuracy is now available to help breeders determine if their dogs carry the gene.
* Addison’s Disease: this malfunction of the adrenal glands is prevalent in the breed. The exact mode of inheritance is unclear but it is thought to be an autosomal recessive disorder. Addison’s disease is not often fatal but requires lifelong treatment.

While any dog may have the tendency to develop breed-specific medical conditions, this does not mean your dog will necessarily be diagnosed with them. One of the best things a pet owner can do for his dog is to visit a veterinarian regularly to monitor his health and take preventive measures to ensure his well being.

Portuguese Water Dog

Like all purebred dogs, PWDs are vulnerable to certain genetic defects. Some defects can include: hip dysplasia, cataracts, PRA, distichiasis, GM1 Storage Disease, and Juvenile Dilated Cardio-Myopathy. Careful checking of the breeding of the PWD’s parents can help to reduce the presence of these defects in thedog , and given the limited gene pool of the breed (due to the lack of prevalence of the breed), most of these defects are recessive in the breed.

Portuguese Water Dog

Vada has been GM-1 (Ganglyosidosis or Storage Disease) DNA tested at NYU and deemed Normal; meaning that she does not carry the gene and cannot pass it on. Storage Disease is a condition in which the liver and kidneys do not filter the poisons from the system, but send the poison to the brain, causing increasing lack of coordination and eventually death by about 9 months of age. There is no cure for Storage Disease, but it is a simple recessive gene and you would not breed two Carriers. Mykie was not DNA GM-1 tested because the test wasn’t available when she was of breeding age. At that time we had to rely on Dr. Bell’s Pedigree Analysis. She was originally rated as an “N-95” and after she had hr litter was re-rated a “L”, which means that she was litter-tested clear of the gene. Since she was no longer of breeding age, we felt the NYU test for her was unnecessary.

Portuguese Water Dog

Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy is an inherited, fatal disease seen in young dogs caused by a recessive gene. The disease can cause the sudden or rapid death of a puppy averaging between the ages of six weeks and seven months. In some cases, there are no physical signs or symptoms whatsoever while in others, signs including a loss of appetite, decreased energy level, vomiting and difficulty breathing may be seen 12 to 48 hours in advance. Sadly, there is no known cure or treatment at this time and no genetic testing is available. Prospective owners of breeds susceptible to this disease — the Portuguese Water Dog is one breed known to have this as a inherited disorder — should discuss this with Breeders and inquire if the disease has been produced within their breeding program or genetic lines of the dogs they are working with.