Exploring Health of the Sheltie
Shetland Sheepdog: hearty, long-lived dogs
As with any living creature, health issues may arise in Shetland Sheepdogs, and some may be due to an underlying genetic cause. To address these concerns, responsible breeders of Shelties aim to breed healthy dogs and reduce the incidence of heritable diseases in the breed. While hip dysplasia, thyroid disease, eye diseases, dermatomyositis, and von Willebrand’s disease, gallbladder mucoceles, and epilepsy are some of the known health problems found in the breed, it’s important to note that they are NOT COMMON. To ensure that you make an informed purchase, the American Shetland Sheepdog Association (ASSA) recommends that you ask questions about the health of the dog and its relatives when considering the purchase of a puppy or adult dog, the use of a stud dog, or the acceptance of a brood bitch. In particular, ask about abnormal tooth alignment, missing teeth, cryptorchidism, and the above-mentioned health problems.
The American Shetland Sheepdog Association (ASSA) recommends that both breeders and buyers of puppies remain informed about genetic abnormalities within the breed. This knowledge can help individuals make well-informed decisions when purchasing or planning a breeding. Despite the presence of genetic abnormalities, the ASSA does not discourage the purchase of puppies or breeding to a specific stud dog. It remains critical, however, to comprehend the nature of these concerns in order to make informed and educated decisions.
Canine Health Information Center (CHIC)
Shelties are generally healthy dogs; however, to maintain low incidence of certain health problems, it is recommended to test breeding stock. As dogs are living beings and not machines, on average, they have 4 to 5 defective genes. Despite conscientious breeding practices, congenital and/or hereditary problems do occur. Therefore, it is important for breeders to prioritize a combination of breed type and good health in their Shelties.
The Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) is a collaborative initiative between the AKC/Canine Health Foundation and the Orthopedic for Animals. This program is designed to provide breeders, researchers, and owners with a comprehensive database of canine health information. The CHIC program boasts over 100 participating breed clubs, each of which recommends health tests tailored to the specific needs of their breed. Participation in CHIC is voluntary, and normalcy is not required for inclusion in the program. Abnormal results of any test are only released to the public with the owner’s permission. The Shetland Sheepdog, at the request of the ASSA, has been part of the CHIC program since 2008.
The CHIC Shetland Sheepdog web page lists required, elective, and optional tests for breed requirements. CHIC also requires that each dog be permanently identified (verified by the testing veterinarian) via microchip or tattoo to qualify for a CHIC number.