Instinctive Hunting Companions

Breed Health Concerns

     Monorchidism is a rare developmental condition in which a male dog only develops one testicle. This condition is often confused with unilateral cryptorchidism.   In the case of unilateral cryptorchidism, the dog has two testicles, however, only one testicle descends into the scrotum, while the other is permanently retained in the abdomen.

     Monorchidism is usually confirmed by plasma testosterone analysis. The plasma testosterone level is significantly lower in a dog which lacks a testicle than it would be in a dog with a retained testicle.

     Monorchidism is a genetic fault. Dogs exhibiting this condition should never be used for breeding and should be neutered.

Monorchidism/Cryptorchidism

vWD is known as a blood clotting disease.  GWP’s have Type-II.  The disease in GWP’s is inherited as a recessive trait, meaning, in order for a dog to express or show the disease, they would have to inherit the diseased gene from each parent. 

A DNA test is available for this disease and should be run on all GWP’s before being bred.  When a DNA test is run, the results are one of these three: 

☼ Affected (meaning has the disease)

☼ Carrier (meaning has one set of the disease gene)

☼ Clear (meaning does not have the diseased gene and will not reproduce it)

Two carriers should never be bred together as that will result in offspring who are affected.  The only way to diagnose carriers is through testing. 

A blood test is available as well, it is shown to not be reliable when determining carrier status. 

Bitches that are affected with this disease may not stop bleeding during estrus and most are euthanized during their first estrus cycle.  Surgery such as spaying is usually not an option that people will endure because of the risk.

 

 

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Vom Willebrand Disease

Entropion is the rolling-in of the eyelid. This causes the hair on the surface of the eyelid to rub on the eyeball, which is both painful and often causes corneal ulcers or erosions. The corneal damage can also result in corneal scarring, which can interfere with vision. Usually the dog will squint and tear excessively. However, many flat-faced dogs with medial entropion (involving the inside corner of the eyes) show no obvious signs of discomfort

Entropion

Devata German Wirehaired Pointers