Compared to some other breeds German Spitz are pretty healthy, but there have been incidences of eye disease in both Klein and Mittel.
PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) and RD (Retinal Dysplasia) are currently the main cause for concern, and both these conditions can cause premature blindness and are hereditary. There is a BVA/ISDS eye testing scheme available for detecting these (and other) diseases, so in the days of increasing litigation, breeders would be wise to make use of this scheme.
When looking to purchase a puppy or older dog, the buyer should ensure that the breeder they are buying from eye tests their stock.
Adults should have a current clear certificate before being bred from (the last test results should be no more than 12 months old) and puppies should be litter screened (usually between 6 and 8 weeks old) as RD and other potential problems can be detected at this age.
Ask to see these certificates, and do not accept excuses for testing not being done. No-one can say their dogs are OK unless they test, and even those that test and breed from only dogs with Clear certificates may occasionally produce an affected puppy. By eye testing/litter screening, affected stock can be removed from breeding programs and carrier animals identified.
Eye Disease and Testing
Further information on eye testing is available on the BVA site and there is a list of testing dates/locations on the ISDS site.
BVA Eye testing info/Panellists/Testing Dates
BVA/KC/ISDS Canine Health Testing Dates Facebook Group
Below is a sample of an adult eye testing certificate.
The top part should contain KC Registrations details for the dog plus owner details.
The middle part is where test details are filled in. If a dog has no abnormalities found, the tester will usually write 'All clear' or 'NAD' in the comments box. If a problem is found, they will indicate what the problem is and where on the eye the problem is.
This is a sample of a litter screening certificate
Any breeder you go to visit about potentially buying a puppy from should be only too pleased to show you all of these certificates.
Remember, do not accept excuses about why these certificates are not available. It could be the difference between a dog that is able to live a long and healthy life with you and a one that ends up prematurely blind.
If you have your German Spitz eye tested, please send a copy of the certificate to the German Spitz Club of Great Britain. If sending litter screening certificates, please ensure that those puppies listed on the screening certificate are able to be matched up to their KC registered names or include a reference sheet or we may be unable to match them up with actual dogs in our database.
© German Spitz World 2008
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