Because health is paramount:
Hip dysplasia:
All our breeders are free from dysplasia.
But what is dysplasia, and how do we test breeders? We'll tell you everything!
The Barbet is a heavy but fast-growing dog. Like all large dogs, it is susceptible to dysplasia.
The latter results in congruence of the joint surfaces leading to premature osteoarthritis and therefore pain.
This is why all breeding animals must be x-rayed after the age of one, before breeding. This x-ray is sent to an official "reader" who gives it a letter.
Hip A: No signs of dysplasia, perfect congruence and coaptation, NORBERG-OLSSON angle >105°
Hip B: Either the NORBERG-OLSSON angle is between 105° and 100° and coaptation and congruence are perfect or almost normal. Or the NORBERG-OLSSON angle is greater than 105° with more or less good congruence.
Hip C: Mild dysplasia. Angle between 100° and 105° and moderate congruity.
Hip D: Moderate dysplasia. Angle between 100° and 90° and congruity is really poor.
Hip E: Severe dysplasia. There is (sub)luxation of the femoral head and the angle is less than 90°. This stage is often accompanied, in addition to the manifestations of stage D, by an abnormality in the conformation of the femoral head.
While heredity certainly plays a role in hip dysplasia, environment is just as important. For example, a dog that is "genetically programmed" to have "C" hips may develop into "B" or "D" hips, depending on whether the environmental conditions are favorable or unfavorable.
Here are some tips to help your dog maintain healthy hips.
While heredity certainly plays a role in hip dysplasia, environment is just as important. For example, a dog that is "genetically programmed" to have "C" hips may develop into "B" or "D" hips, depending on whether the environmental conditions are favorable or unfavorable. And now it's your turn!
When it comes to hips, everything happens before the age of 15 months. It is therefore important to avoid any joint trauma to the puppy. In practice:
- The puppy should never stand on its hind legs. Be careful when it's playing with you, or when getting into the trunk of the car.
- no stairs before the age of at least one year.
- No jumping: avoid games like "Frisby", no agility before the dog is 15 months old.
- no strenuous exercise: no long walks, especially not in the mountains! It is said that a puppy can walk 5 minutes per month of life. Thus, a 3-month-old puppy can walk a maximum of 15 minutes.
Do not hesitate to ask your veterinarian for advice.
When genetics gets involved:
Today, thanks to scientific advances, we can also makegenetic tests to determine whether potential breeders are carriers or not
of certain specific genes: color etc.
But above all, these tests allow us to have the guarantee that the puppies will not be
affected by certain genetic diseases: Willebrand type 1 and the pre-PRA.
The genetic disease prcd-PRA causes the degeneration and death of cells in the retina, at the back of the eye. Gradually but irreversibly, the dog becomes blind...
Type 1 von Willebrand disease is more dangerous because it is genetically "dominant." It produces dogs with varying degrees of hemophilia. This is why we exclude these dogs from breeding!
