HEALTH OF THE BELGIAN SHEPHERD
How healthy is the Belgian Shepherd?
Comparing to other breeds, the Belgian Shepherd has very few ailments and is generally structurally sound due to its natural unexaggerated shape.
Ethical Belgian Shepherd breeders strive to maintain robust health in the breed, by sharing and publishing all health results, and by participating in all health surveys and breeding screening schemes available.
In line with ANKC's Guidelines For Breeders Recommended Actions in relation to hereditary diseases, Mirribandi pledges to undertake the following -
Ethical Belgian Shepherd breeders strive to maintain robust health in the breed, by sharing and publishing all health results, and by participating in all health surveys and breeding screening schemes available.
In line with ANKC's Guidelines For Breeders Recommended Actions in relation to hereditary diseases, Mirribandi pledges to undertake the following -
- Mirribandi Belgian Shepherds is a guardian of the Belgian Shepherd breed and, for the long-term benefit to the breed, we pledge to participate in any hereditary disease control programs conducted by the ANKC or BSDCQ for our breed.
- We pledge to find out what hereditary diseases, if any, are known to be problems within the Belgian Shepherd breed.
- We pledge to find out if there is any known incidence of these diseases within the lines of our own dogs, particularly among their parents and siblings.
- Before breeding from our dogs, we pledge to find out what testing should be done in relation to hereditary diseases.
- We pledge to comply with the requirements of the Codes.
- We pledge to select against hereditary diseases for the benefit of future generations of the breed, to protect prospective puppy purchasers and to reduce the financial risk to ourselves, as a breeder.
Health Screening of breeding stock
At Mirribandi, we strongly believe in health certifying all breeding stock, and openly publishing all results, the good and the not so good. A viewable register hopefully assists other breeders to breed wisely with the limited genes we have in our breed in Australia.
We undertake the following "recommended" health certifications on all our breeding stock before they are considered worthy of being bred from*.
Our Mirribandi health register also records the incidence of any other health complaint, dentition, cryptorchidism, age of death where known, and any environmental factors that may have affected health outcomes.
We undertake the following "recommended" health certifications on all our breeding stock before they are considered worthy of being bred from*.
- Hip Score - ANKC CHED scheme
- Elbow Score - ANKC CHED scheme
- Eye Test - ACES scheme
- DNA Full Breed Profile - for traits and diseases using the Orivet laboratory - such as Degenerative Myelopathy, Ivermectin Sensitivity MDR1 (Multi Drug Resistance), Spongy Degeneration With Cerebellar Ataxia, Spongy Degeneration SDCA2, Spongy Degeneration With Cerebellar Ataxia (SDCA2) Belgian Shepherd, Mucopolysaccharidosis VII - Type II (German Shepherd/Belgian Shepherd Type), and Cardiomyopathy And Juvenile Mortality (Belgian Shepherd)
- Thyroid
- Heart - Cardiac Auscultation
Our Mirribandi health register also records the incidence of any other health complaint, dentition, cryptorchidism, age of death where known, and any environmental factors that may have affected health outcomes.
Health Screening of puppies
Puppies at Mirribandi are from parents that were screened for excellent health prior to the breeding taking place.
The pups are too young to undertake any official health certifications. They are, however, vet checked at 6 to 7 weeks of age with a thorough examination to check for cleft palates, hernias, retained testicles, correct dentition, heart murmurs any other other abnormalities. This is a puppy wellness check NOT pre breeding health certification.
The only health screening that can be done on baby puppies is a DNA Full Breed Profile, that tests for conditions such as Degenerative Myelopathy, Ivermectin Sensitivity MDR1 (Multi Drug Resistance), Spongy Degeneration With Cerebellar Ataxia, Spongy Degeneration SDCA2, Spongy Degeneration With Cerebellar Ataxia (SDCA2) Belgian Shepherd, Mucopolysaccharidosis VII - Type II (German Shepherd/Belgian Shepherd Type), and Cardiomyopathy And Juvenile Mortality (Belgian Shepherd)
Puppies that are retained for breeding purposes, and grow up to be excellent specimens of their breed, are health certified before being considered to be included in our Mirribandi breeding program. We let our babies grow up, and then after 12 months of age, begin to book them into upcoming health clinics or directly with the Specialists.
The pups are too young to undertake any official health certifications. They are, however, vet checked at 6 to 7 weeks of age with a thorough examination to check for cleft palates, hernias, retained testicles, correct dentition, heart murmurs any other other abnormalities. This is a puppy wellness check NOT pre breeding health certification.
The only health screening that can be done on baby puppies is a DNA Full Breed Profile, that tests for conditions such as Degenerative Myelopathy, Ivermectin Sensitivity MDR1 (Multi Drug Resistance), Spongy Degeneration With Cerebellar Ataxia, Spongy Degeneration SDCA2, Spongy Degeneration With Cerebellar Ataxia (SDCA2) Belgian Shepherd, Mucopolysaccharidosis VII - Type II (German Shepherd/Belgian Shepherd Type), and Cardiomyopathy And Juvenile Mortality (Belgian Shepherd)
Puppies that are retained for breeding purposes, and grow up to be excellent specimens of their breed, are health certified before being considered to be included in our Mirribandi breeding program. We let our babies grow up, and then after 12 months of age, begin to book them into upcoming health clinics or directly with the Specialists.
ANKC Health recommendations
The ANKC maintains a database for hip/elbow and eye results for participating breeders. Historical results are not included, so, not a true indication of all hip/elbow/eye results for the dog community. This is publicly viewable, so check out if the parents of your prospective pup are listed on this site. If they are, the results are authenticated. If they are not, ask your breeder to provide you with the certificate and check authenticity with the scoring provider. Don't just take anything at face value - research and ask for proof.
National Code of Practice of Responsible Dog Ownership (Amended April 2020) Clause 17 "A member shall take responsible action to reduce the incidence of hereditary diseases in accordance with the ANKC Ltd Code of Practice for Hereditary Diseases"
National Code of Practice for Hereditary Diseases Section 2 (1) "Members will take responsible action to reduce the incidence of hereditary diseases in their breeds."
National Code of Practice of Responsible Dog Ownership (Amended April 2020) Clause 17 "A member shall take responsible action to reduce the incidence of hereditary diseases in accordance with the ANKC Ltd Code of Practice for Hereditary Diseases"
National Code of Practice for Hereditary Diseases Section 2 (1) "Members will take responsible action to reduce the incidence of hereditary diseases in their breeds."
BSDCQ Health recommendations
The BSDCQ recommends that all Belgian Shepherd Dogs are tested according to the current minimum standards of overseas Canine Clubs, that is for hip, elbow and eye health certification, plus full breed DNA profile (testing for genetic health) and any available test for any known health issue in the breed as testing becomes available.
This publicly viewable list is there to:
The Belgian Shepherd Dog Club of Qld has a health register for Belgian Shepherds from across Australia, open to all owners to submit results, whether they are club members or not. Sadly, not all breeders embrace open publication of their dog's results, nor has the register been updated recently. However, this is a historical useful resource, where you can trace the health of the ancestors of your pup if the breeders of those dogs participated in this venture.
This publicly viewable list is there to:
- help breeders make informed choices in bloodlines for breeding purposes
- help puppy buyers research the health history of the Belgian they are considering to purchase
The Belgian Shepherd Dog Club of Qld has a health register for Belgian Shepherds from across Australia, open to all owners to submit results, whether they are club members or not. Sadly, not all breeders embrace open publication of their dog's results, nor has the register been updated recently. However, this is a historical useful resource, where you can trace the health of the ancestors of your pup if the breeders of those dogs participated in this venture.
Health Status of the breed
The pre 2020 BSDCQ Committee was serious about the future health of the breed, and was involved with fund raising for health research projects for Epilepsy, Exercise Induced Collapse, PPSC Star Cataracts, Stomach Cancer and Addison's Disease. These are not major problems within our breed, and with careful screening of breeding stock, these problems can be wisely bred away from.
The 2019 Health Survey and 2020 Health Forum show the level of dedication of the BSDCQ towards maintaining, monitoring and improving health of the Belgian Shepherd Dog.
The excellent health of the breed today is a testament to the dedicated breeders of pure bred Belgian Shepherds in the past, and our current custodian breeders that comply with the club's recommended breeding policies are to be commended and applauded.
Concerns identified in the 2019 Health Survey, as prioritized in the 2020 Health Forum.
The 2019 Health Survey and 2020 Health Forum show the level of dedication of the BSDCQ towards maintaining, monitoring and improving health of the Belgian Shepherd Dog.
The excellent health of the breed today is a testament to the dedicated breeders of pure bred Belgian Shepherds in the past, and our current custodian breeders that comply with the club's recommended breeding policies are to be commended and applauded.
Concerns identified in the 2019 Health Survey, as prioritized in the 2020 Health Forum.
- Stomach cancer
- Behavioural
- Seizures
- Cryptorchidism
- Elbow dysplasia