GENETIC AND SUSPECT GENETIC HEALTH CONDITIONS IN THE DOBERMAN PINSCHER

Do dogs have inherited diseases? 

Over 350 inherited diseases have been recognized in dogs. Many are restricted to particular breeds but others such as hip dysplasia occur in a wide range of breeds. The different diseases affect almost every part of the dog's body including eyes, heart, skeleton, liver and skin.

The genes responsible for inherited disease are found in the complex DNA molecule which is the genetic blueprint for every individual. Over the last five to ten years scientists have begun to identify individual genes and DNA-based technology has been developed to test animals for the presence of disease-causing genes. At the moment there are only a few tests available, but tests for many more of the common inherited disorders will become available in the future. 

Unfortunately there are many underlying health conditions AND genetic problems that can appear in the Doberman.

These health conditions have been identified in the Doberman Pinscher. It is important to know the status before breeding a dog or bitch. Clinically affected dogs, dogs exhibiting symptoms for any of these conditions should NOT be bred.

CARDIOMYOPATHY 

Suspected to be an inherited disease in Dobermans. Cardiomyopathy is a non-specific term meaning diseased heart muscle. There are several different types of cardiomyopathy;Research is in progress in several institutions. An echocardiogram of the heart will confirm whether or not a dog has the disease but WILL not guarantee that the disease will not develop in the future.

HIP DYSPLASIA

Inherited. It may vary from slightly poor conformation to malformation of the hip joint allowing complete luxation of the femoral head. Dogs can be tested and certified through Pennhipp or OFA.

HYPOTHYROIDISM

Probably inherited and means that the thyroid gland is not producing enough hormone to adequately maintain the dog's metabolism. It is easily treated with thyroid replacement pills on a daily basis. Thyroid testing (T3, T4, TSH and autoantibodies) should be performed on an annual schedule. Finding autoantibodies to thyroglobulin (T4 autoantibodies) is an indication that the dog has "Hashimoto's Disease". Low thyroid dogs, manifested by a high TSH and a low T4, should be treated and monitored on a regular basis.

vWd (VON WILLEBRAND'S DISEASE)

An inherited bleeding disorder with a prolonged bleeding time and a mild to severe factor IX deficiency. Von Willebrand's factor antigens of 70% 180% are considered to be within the normal range for Dobermans. When dogs are tested through the Elisa assay blood test for vWD, they are tested for carrier status only NOT the disease. It is believed that carrier status tests (Elisa assay) are inaccurate if a dog is ill, received any medication or vaccination within 14 days of testing, pregnancy, bitches in heat or lactation. Stress conditions (infections, parasites, hormonal changes, trauma, surgery, emotional upset, etc.) may have an effect on the outcome of the vWD blood test and might be a contributing factor for bleeding tendencies. A DNA test through VETGEN for vWD is now available - clear, carrier, or affected result is not effected by stress conditions, etc. and is extremely accurate. For a more in depth description see our VWD page.

WOBBLER'S SYNDROME

Suspected to be an inherited condition in Dobermans. Dogs suffer from spinal cord compression caused by cervical vertebral instability or from a malformed spinal canal. Extreme symptoms are paralysis of the limbs (front, hind or all 4). Neck pain with extension and flexion may or may not be present. Surgical therapy is hotly debated and in some surgically treated cases, clinical recurrence has been identified.

ALBINISM

"White coated" and "white factored" Dobermans should NOT be bred. These dogs are *TYROSINASE POSITIVE ALBINOS*. In 1996, the AKC established a tracking system (the letter "Z" will be part of the registration number) allowing breeders to identify the normal colored Dobermans which may carry the albinistic gene. A list with all dogs tracing back to Shebah's (the first Albino Doberman registered) parents is available from the DPCA. All breeders should require an AKC certified pedigree with colors to check that "white coated" and "white factored" dogs are not present in the pedigree of the dog or bitch to be bred.