Richlands Reg'd Kennels
Australian Cattle Dog health concerns.....
Australian Cattle Dogs are a relatively healthy breed. However, there are a few health conditions associated with the breed. Responsible breeders will screen their breeding stock for these health conditions, so it is important to look for a breeder who has their breeding stock tested for and cleared of (as minimum); hip/elbow dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Primary Lens Luxation (PLL) and hearing. All puppies should also be hearing tested (BAER) before they move to their new homes.
Don't be shy to ask to see copies of health certificates and registration records on breeding stock. We are proud to say that all of our breeding stock are health tested, and we will happily share each dogs test results.
Hip/Elbow Dysplasia
Unfortunately hip/elbow dysplasia affects many dogs, including the very active Australian Cattle Dog. Therefore, it is important that all breeding stock are x-rayed. Hip/elbow dysplasia is inherited, but it can be influenced by environmental factors such as poor diet, over exercising young dogs and allowing dogs to become overweight. Hip/Elbow certification is done through Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) which requires certification at 2 years of age.
Read more about Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
The two forms of inherited PRA known in the ACD are the PRCD (progressive rod-cone degeneration) and the rcd4 form of PRA. This is the main eye abnormality within the breed. A dog that has tested normal or clear will never develop this form of PRA. There are DNA tests available that enable us to determine if a dog is clear, a carrier or affected. We feel that it is very important to ensure that we only produce pups that will not be affected by the disease. A carrier will not be affected with the disease, however if bred to another carrier or an affected dog, a percentage of pups in a litter will develop the disease. The PRCD form usually shows symptoms from 5 to 6 years of age, but may show up as early as 3 years old. The rcd4 form shows symptoms much later in life starting at 9-10 years of age.
Primary Lens Luxation (PLL)
Primary lens luxation is another eye disease that is known to have affected the Australian Cattle Dog. Similar to PRA, there is a DNA test that enables us to determine if the dog is clear, carrier or affected. This luxation happens when fibers connected to the lens, stretch or break resulting in the lens falling out of place. The typical onset for PLL to occur is between 4 and 8 years of age. Luxation of a lens can also happen due to trauma, so it's important to know the status of all breeding stock.
Other DNA Tests
We also test for the following diseases, and all of the dogs used in our breeding program are clear or carrier.
1) Cystinuria - Australian Cattle Dog type
2) Collie Eye Anomaly
3) Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
4) Myotonia Congenita (MC) - Australian Cattle Dog type
5) Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 12
6) Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 5 - NCL5
7) Multidrug Resistance 1
Other DNA Tests
We also test for the following diseases, and all of the dogs used in our breeding program are clear.
1) Cystinuria - Australian Cattle Dog type
2) Collie Eye Anomaly
3) Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
4) Myotonia Congenita (MC) - Australian Cattle Dog type
5) Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 12
6) Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 5 - NCL5
7) Multidrug Resistance 1