health

SHEPHERDING GOOD HEALTH

The Pyr Shep is known as one of the healthiest of breeds, but of course, no breed is free of genetic defects. This breed is known to be subject to occasional cases of hip dysplasia, epilepsy, sub-luxated patellae, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA-heart), and some hereditary eye anomalies. Dogs exhibiting these problems should not be bred. All dogs should have preliminary testing for such problems before being bred.

Members of the Pyrenean Shepherd Club of America are bound to the PSCA Code of Ethics.

If you own a Pyrenean Shepherd which is exhibiting a health problem which may be inherited the PSCA keeps private, confidential records for the betterment of the breed and to help breeders keep abreast of any health issues which may be occurring in the breed. Please contact Joni Johnson joni.a.johnson@gmail.com
to include your dog in this database.

CHIC DOGS (March 2007)
For more information see:

Canine Health Information Center www.caninehealthinfo.org

OFA www.offa.org Advanced search: Pyrenean Shepherd or Berger des Pyrenees

NAME	REGISTRATION #	BREED	SEX	COLOR
Annabelle de La Brise	DN03271203	Pyrenean Shepherd	F	Black
Aoubere du Val D'Ares	DN09025001	Pyrenean Shepherd	F	Fawn
Joelle de La Vallee du Mouton	DN03258301	Pyrenean Shepherd	F	Fawn
La Brise Cinnamon Bear	DN07507901	Pyrenean Shepherd	M	Fawn
La Brise Jumpin Jiminy	DN05619301	Pyrenean Shepherd	M	Fawn
La Brise Rainbeau Rabbit	DN03292004	Pyrenean Shepherd	M	Brindle
La Brise Terra-Blue Vivette	DN0902803	Pyrenean Shepherd	F	Fawn
Maranatha Katriel de La Brise	DL91422303	Pyrenean Shepherd	F	Fawn
Nivose sur La Brise	PS114	Pyrenean Shepherd	M	Brindle
Ojibwa Bleu du Val Soannan	DL88631401	Pyrenean Shepherd	M	Blue Merle
Sagette du Val Soannan	DL88731801	Pyrenean Shepherd	F	Grey
Terra-Blue Skye de La Brise	DN05762101	Pyrenean Shepherd	F	Blue Merle
Trocadero de La Brise	PS148	Pyrenean Shepherd	F	Fawn
Westhill Amie de La Brise	DN05661202	Pyrenean Shepherd	F	Black
Zibeline du Val D'Ares	DL88730701	Pyrenean Shepherd	F	Fawn

CANINE EPILEPSY STUDY

Remember to have your Pyr Shep's blood collected & sent to the DNA study.
The info is on the http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/ site, but the DNA is being collected for more than just the epilepsy study. It will be on hand for years to come and will help scientists sort out not just the problems we currently know of in the breed but will help with problems as they show up in the future.

Your vet will need to collect 3-10 cc whole blood in a purple-topped vial (marked with the dog's name plus your name, e.g. "Fluffy Smith"), refrigerate and send to:

Dr. Gary Johnson - Pyrenean Shepherd DNA Research
320 Connaway Hall
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211

For more info, contact Liz Hansen by phone (573-884-3712) or email
(HansenL@missouri.edu)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Sending Information and Samples
http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/Docs/DNAhowto.pdf
Sample Handling http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/Docs/SampHand.pdf
DNA Research Form http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/Docs/DNAsampl.pdf
3-5 generation pedigree of your dog

There are also additional forms for litters.

It is essential to their research that this information be included along with the blood sample.

MERLE GENE STUDY

Pyrenean Shepherds recently had the opportunity to participate in a research study on the merling gene at Texas A & M University conducted by Leigh Anne Clark and others. It was determined that the trait is inherited in domestic dogs in an autosomal, incomplete dominant fashion, including in the Pyrenean Shepherd.
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1431520

EYE TESTING

Breeders--please consider getting all puppies in your litters eyes checked before they go to their new homes. While this is a breed with few hereditary eye anomolies, this practice will help ensure that the breed continues this way into the future.

DNA TESTING

There will be a DNA Testing Clinic held at our 2007 National Specialty Show. See National Specialty webpage for more details.