For those wanting to know more about Chesapeake Bay Retrievers in the UK
Chesapeakes are a generally healthy breed. The breed standard for Chesapeakes requires a dog that is structurally sound and built for a hard day's work. It suffers no exaggerations in shape or breed characteristics. However, as with all pedigree dogs and many non-pedigree dogs too, inherited diseases do occur. Chesapeakes can be affected by the following inherited conditions:
Tests and examinations can be done to reduce the risk of these problems occurring. The CBRC recommends that new puppy buyers check that the relevant tests have been carried out on both parents of any litter they consider looking at.
Hip dysplasia involves some degree of deformation of a dog's hip joints. The disease has both a genetic and an environmental component. Some dogs will carry genes that will predispose a dog to hip dysplasia. However, the severity of the disease will also depend on environmental factors, such as the amount of exercise a dog receives, and whether it is overweight.
It is a complicated disease, affected by many factors, and the genes contributing to the condition have not been identified. Therefore the degree of hip malformation is assessed using x-rays. The x-rays of a dog's hips are assessed by a panel of experts under the BVA/KC Scheme. The experts give the dog's hips a score. A higher score indicates a greater degree of abnormality.
The CBRC keeps a list of all dogs that have been hip scored under the BVA/KC Hip Scoring Scheme. Most breeders aim to breed from dogs with an average hip score or lower. The average score for a Chesapeake at this time is a total score of 11.
PRA (progressive retinal atrophy) is an inherited disorder that occurs in many breeds including Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. PRA causes cells in the retina at the back of the eye to degenerate and eventually leads to blindness. Early symptoms are failing eyesight at low light levels, hence the old term of ‘night blindness’.
Dogs that are affected with PRA will often not show symptoms until aged 8 or 9 years, which may be after they have been bred from. However, PRA can be avoided in future generations by genetically testing the dogs before breeding.
Responsible breeders will know the PRA status (clear, carrier or affected) of both parents of any litter they are planning. Dogs carrying the affected gene can still be bred from, but should only be bred to ‘clear’ dogs, to avoid producing affected offspring. Where both parents are clear, the offspring will all be clear.
There are many types of cataracts, and not all are hereditary. However, some types of cataract are hereditary and do occasionally occur in Chesapeakes. The pattern of inheritance is not known. It is recommended that dogs showing signs of hereditary cataracts are not bred from. Dogs being used for breeding should be checked annually for signs of hereditary cataracts.
If you are purchasing a puppy, check that both parents have had their eyes examined under the BVA/KC Eye Testing scheme within the past year. Breeders should have up-to-date certificates for both parents for you to view.
Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a gradually progressive neurological disorder that affects Chesapeakes as well as many other breeds of dog. The first symptoms are usually a slight wobble in the rear legs, which progresses into a dragging of the rear feet. The hind legs become weaker until eventually the dog can no longer walk.
There is now a DNA-based test for one gene that has been associated with DM. The results of the test are described as either clear, carrier or at risk. No dogs that have tested as clear or carrier have ever shown signs of being affected by DM.
Dogs are listed as 'at risk', rather than 'affected', as the test only identifies one of the genes responsible for DM. A dog identified as being at risk of developing the disease may well never have a problem with DM. At risk dogs can still be bred from, but the choice of mate should be carefully considered.
The test is simple to do, and test kits can be ordered online from the Orthopaedic Foundation of America in the USA. Many owners choose to allow the OFA to publish their dog's test results online at the OFA's website.
The CBRC tries to keep a record of all test results, and prints them in the Club's newsletter each year. If you have a dog tested for any of the above conditions, please send copies of the hip scores, eye certificates, or PRA and DM results to Chris Mayhew, Dumpford Manor Farm, Trotton, Petersfield, Hampshire GU31 5JR or email bobmayhewQhorses@aol.com. If you have any questions about the above testing schemes, contact the Breed Health Co-ordinator, Sue Worrall, on 01226 767242 or email health@chesapeakebayretrieverclub.co.uk
A good source of information on the above conditions can be found at www.chessieinfo.com