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Health and Medical Problems In the Curly Coated Retriever
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May your curly always be happy and healthy!
The vast majority of dogs of all breeds (as well as mixed breeds) can live long, healthy lives if given proper care and routine veterinary attention. Nevertheless, any dog can fall victim to a wide range of acquired problems. Each pure breed of dogs has its own particular hereditary problems some minor, some impairing, and some possibly fatal. Some may show a very strong hereditary basis and others not much more than a tendency to" run in families". The Curly-Coated Retriever is no exception and unfortunately as seen in other breeds, the problems tend to multiply as the breed continues to increase in popularity and there is an increase in indiscriminate breeding. Failure to screen for these problems before breeding often results in the "doubling up" of unfavorable genes, and the results are distressing for the buyer and dog alike.
A good Breeder of Curly Coated Retrievers should be able to discuss the health screening done with their breeding stock and other measures they've taken to reduce the likelihood of problems. They should be willing to guarantee against common problems and want to know of anything that might show up later in your puppy.
If your Curly should develop a major health problem, you should tell your breeder about it. This way, the breeder can remain informed about potential problems in their lines. Such problems would include those listed below and others, such as seizures, cancer, heart defects, and anything else that might be heritable.
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Hip Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia is an ongoing problems for all the retriever breeds as well as many other breeds of similar or larger size.
Hip Dysplasia is a malformation of the ball and socket joint in the hip, with varying degress of resulting impairment. Diagnosis is definitive only through proper radiographic (xray) analysis. Make sure the breeder supplies you with OFA hip reports on both the sire and dam of the litter. I don't often use the most convenient stud available. Several times I have bred to overseas dogs. You have to develop a relationship of trust with the breeders and owners of these dogs when it comes to health issues. The studs from overseas I have used will not have OFA numbers. (being that the *A* in OFA stands for America.) In these cases I will check out the equivalent health test for that country. The breeder you get your Curly from should be able to provide information on Hips on both parents, be it an OFA hip number, a PennHip number or a foreign health registry equivalent. There are rare circumstances where a well planned litter is out of a dog who does not have an OFA number. Ask the breeder why, and what precautions they have taken to ensure that the litter doesn't pass on hip problems. Read one person's experience with a Curly and HD
Eye problems
Eye Problems - cataracts of various kinds, corneal dystrophy, suspected PRA, distichiasis, entropion, ectropion, PPM, retinal dysplasia. None are particularly common but all should be asked about and guaranteed for. All dogs used for breeding should have annual eye examinations. Make sure the breeder supplies you with current CERF eye reports on the sire and dam.
Cancer
More and more dogs of every breed are being diagnosed with Cancers. Is it environmental? Is it hereditary? Are we breeding dogs with weaker immune systems? If you are looking at a Curly pup, ask about the grandparents. Are they alive? How long did they live? What did they die of? Its scary to hear of dogs dying of cancer at 5 or 6 years of age. Some of the types of Cancer found in dogs: Mast cell tumors are the most common malignant skin tumor in the dog. An adenoma is a benign growth of glandular tissue cells. An adenocarcinoma is a malignant growth of these cells most often originating (primary site) from the intestines, uterus and mammary glands. They often metastasize (spread) to the lungs. Fibrosarcoma is a cancerous tumor of the deep structures of the skin, specifically the fibrous connective tissue. Hemangiosarcoma is a malignant tumor originating from blood vessels. These tumors usually occur in the skin, soft tissues, spleen or liver. Lymphoma or lymphosarcoma is a cancerous disease of lymphocytes, a particular form of white blood cells that originate in lymph nodes and bone marrow. Melanoma is a form of cancer in which the pigment-producing cells of the skin known as melanocytes multiply in an erratic fashion eventually invading the tissues that surround them. Osteosarcoma is a tumor of the bone and is the most common primary bone tumor in the dog. Patterned Baldness The "Curly Coat Problem" can be frustrating -- it is often misdiagnosed for other diseases such as thyroid deficiency, and it is detrimental to a breeding program trying to establish the proper coat. It is difficult to say how many Curlies are affected with this, as many are not shown, are not noticeably affected, or the problem is thought to be something else, such as wear from the collar. In mild cases, the patterning may appear once and then never again when the coat grows back in. While mildly affected dogs generally lead normal lives, it is an indicator of more serious trouble, as it is caused by some type of auto immune problem. Affected dogs are more likely to have allergies, reproductive problems; in its severest form, it affects the growth hormones and the dogs mature at about 40lbs.
Very often dogs with patterned baldness will have good coats as a puppy, with the bald spots appearing at sexual maturity. Bald patterning appears on the backs and/or insides of the hind legs, and/or on the flanks, and/or on the front and/or sides of neck, and/or the deepest part of the chest and/or as an overall thin or brittle coat. A minor indication of the problem are dogs that are fully coated but only have real curls on their necks and backs. The hair loss is very distinctly bilateral -- that is, on both sides of the dog. There are varying manifestations of this syndrome, from appearing nearly normal to being almost completely bald. In some cases, hair grows back after shedding, but within months rather than weeks. Diets and supplements do not take care of patterned baldness. You should inform your dog's breeder (send clear, closeup photos of all the spots) of any symmetrical bald spots appearing on your puppy so that they can take this information into account in their breeding program. Unaffected dogs seem to produce affected puppies, implying a recessive gene or genes, but the exact mode of inheritance is unclear. Very few veterinarians know about this problem in Curly Coats.
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Cardiac Problems
More and more Curly Coated Retrievers are turning up with Cardiac problems. A good breeder will be screening their breeding stock for cardiac problems. Ask the breeder for an OFA cardiac number for the sire and dam.
Gastric Torsion/Bloat in Dogs.
While it is not known if Bloat is hereditary, it tends to run in families. This may be due to body build and structure and temperament. If you own any deep chested dog such as a Curly Coated Retriever, Setter, Labrador Retriever, Doberman Pinscher, or Great Dane you must be made aware of Gastric Torsion or commonly referred to as Bloat.
Seizures, Bloat, Premature cancer, immune problems are all things you should also ask the breeder about.
GSD IIIa in curly coated retrievers
One Curly's story with Seizures and how he is doing now
SoftMaple Health Clearances:
CH Soft Maple's O' Dark Thirty SH MH WCX WCQ CD CGC HOF Sep 23 1997 CR-536G27M-T CR-CA177/89M/C-PI-ECHO, CR-685 CHIC
CH Soft Maple Crossing Delancy WC JH CR-CA46/24F/C CR-631N CR-529F24F
CH Soft Maple Black Teddy WC JH Sep 23 1997 CR-EL57M24, CR-CA181/12M/C-PI
Soft Maple Avanti's Windfall Sep 23 1997 CR-565G33F
CH Soft Maple's Turning Leaf Sep 23 1997 CR-CA28/12F/C-T
Soft Maple Velvet Elvis JH WC Sep 23 1997 CR-539G26M-T, CR-CA236/104M/C-PI CARDIAC, CR-887 CERF, CHIC# 32067
SoftMaple's Fremont Sep 23 1997 CR-CA23/12M/C
SoftMaple's Goose Chaiser Sep 23 1997 CR-CA43/25M/P-T CR-EL58M25-T
CH Soft Maple Natural Finish ROM Sep 23 1996 CR-495G25F-T CR-607 99
Soft Maple Avanti Anti Up CR-CA191/24F/C-NOPI
SR U-CH CH Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen CD, JH, OA, OAJ, NA, NAJ, WCX, WC, (WCI, WC), TDI, CGC Sep 23 1996 CR-556 CR-622G60F-PI
CH Soft Maple's Warrior Princess ST Sep 23 1996 CR-498F27F-T, CR-CA189/24F/C-PI
Soft Maple Darcy CGC TDI CD Sep 23 1996 CR-CA39/24F/C PennHip
CH SoftMaple International Fling CGC Nov 24 1999 CR-CA134/34F/C-PI CR-640G26F-PI, CR-EL97F26-PI CR-753 CHIC
CH SoftMaple Dese's Int'l D'Lite Nov 24 1999 CR-683 CR-624G24F-PI
Ch Fairway's Softmaple Finnheir, CGC CD Nov 24 1999 CR-EL93M24-PI CR-625E24M-PI
CH SoftMaple Boyerie Int'l Dateline Nov 24 1999 CR-CA117/28F/C-PI CR-643 CR-628F24F-PI CHIC
CH Fairway Pizzazz Rendezvous Nov 24 1999 CR-CA110/27F/C-PI CR-716 CR-629G25F-PI CHIC
CH SoftMaple Avanti Mileage Plus Nov 24 1999 CR-630F25F-NOPI
CH SoftMaple Fairway Explorer CGC Nov 24 1999 CR-CA74/16F/S-PI CR-EL98F28-PI CR-678 CR-642G28F-PI
Fairway European Vaccation Nov 24 1999 CR-CA75/16M/S-PI CR-679 CR-623G24M-PI
CH SoftMaple N HunterBay NY Wknd Nov 24 1999 CGC CR-CA135/34F/C-PI CR-EL99F28-PI CR-747 CR-645E28F-PI CHIC
CH Softmaple Paramount All That CGC Oct 9 2001 MODERATE CR-CA140/23F/C-NOPI
Soft Maple's Gunflint Beauty CGC CR-715G28F-NOPI, CR-EL131F28-NOPI, CR-CA157/28F/P-NOPI CR-CA157/39F/C-PI CR-835 CHIC
SoftMaple's Pax Americana Oct 9 2001 CR-680G24M-NOPI CR-EL113M24-NOPI
SoftMaple's Northern Star CR-720G36M-PI CR-EL133M36-PI
CH SoftMaple's Pheasant Dreams WC CGC CR-722G34F, CR-El134F34 CR-814N CR-CA178/41F/P-NOPI CR-814N, CR-CA178/53F/S-PI CARDIAC
CH Soft Maple Water Works CGC Oct 11 1998 CR-748 CR-CA133/47M/C-P CR-646F42M-PI, CR-EL79M25 CHIC
SoftMaple's Dr Kananga OFA Cardiac clear, CERF 2004 CR-713F27M-PI, CR-EL130M27-PI,
SoftMaple N HunterBay's Poetic Justice CGC PennHip, CR-CA158/21F/C-NOPI, CERF 2004
SoftMaple's Comin' To America CGC CD CR-CA159/21F/C-NOPI CR-787N CR-EL149F30-PI CR-750G30F-PI CHIC
U-AG1 SoftMaple Frolick In The Wind CR-772G30F-PI HIPS, CR-EL159F30-PI ELBOW, CR-874 CERF, CR-G3A7/33F-PI GSD IIIa
SoftMaple litters health clearances:
#1 Am/Can Ch Pasha N'Charwin's Black Jack,Am/Can WC ROM CR-200G26M, CR-314 X CH Avanti's Best Bet CD CGC ROMX CR-CA12/56F/C-ECHO, CR-483, CR-408E24F
#2 CH Riverwatch Desert Wind ROM CR-EL30, CR-429E24M CHIC X CH Avanti's Best Bet CGC ROMX CD CR-CA12/56F/C-ECHO, CR-483, CR-408E24F
#3 CH, HR Elflock-Ranah's Rising Son WC WCX WCQ JH CD CR-549, CR-426G37M X CH Charwin Even Song JH WC WCX CD CGC HOF CR-CA22/41F/C, CR-480F35F, CR-489
#4 Luxembourg Champion, Dutch,VDH, German Ch. Caballus Inferno JWW'98, W'98, Europasieger '99, Bundessieger'99 Hips A/A(Finland), B1(Holland) X CH Mathel Felicitation ROM CR-CA3/38F/C, CR-453G24F,CR-497 (For this litter, I shipped Bumper overseas for the breeding, so the stud has his foreign country of origin hip score equivalent.)
#5 Ch SoftMaple's O' Dark Thirty JH SH MH WC WCX WCQ CD CGC HOF CR-536G27M-T CR-CA177/89M/C-PI-ECHO, CR-685 CHIC#26208 X CH Charwin Evensong WC WCX JH CD CGC CR-CA22/41F/C, CR- 480F35F, CR-489
#6 CH SoftMaple's International Fling CGC CR-CA134/34F/C-PI CR-640G26F-PI, CR-EL97F26-PI CR-753 CHIC #26238 sired by Jet CH SoftMaple's O' Dark Thirty JH SH MH CD WC WCX WCQ CGC HOF CR-536G27M-T, CR-CA177/89M/C-PI-ECHO, CERF CHIC#26208
#7 SJCH SUCH Ringlets Constant Wind Cardiac clear, eyes clear, hips A/B to CH SoftMaple's Fairway Explorer CGC CR-CA74/16F/S-PI CR-EL98F28-PI CR-642G28F-PI, CERF (This litter is the product of an imported semen breeding using shipped-cooled semen from Sweden, so the male has his foreign country of origin health checks.)
#8 CH SoftMaple's International Fling CGC CR-CA134/34F/C-PI CR-640G26F-PI, CR-EL97F26-PI CR-753 CHIC #26238 sired by CH Aberbran Bar Von Bern SH WCX OFA good; CR-608G24M-PI CR-CA123/37M/P-PI CERF
#9 CH SoftMaple N HunterBay's NYwkend CGC TT
CR-EL99F28-PI CR-645E28F-PI, CR-CA135/34F/C-PI CHIC#26240 X CH SR Curlygleann Kiwi Dream WC CGC TDI CR-677G24M-PI, CR-EL111M24-PI, SN91060601
#10 CH SoftMaple's O'Dark Thirty MH WCX CD CGC TT HOF CR-536G27M-T, CR-CA177/89M/C-PI-ECHO, CERF CHIC#26208 and SoftMaple N HunterBay's Poetic Justice CGC, PennHip, CR-CA158/21F/C-NOPI, CR-786N
#11 Boyerie Dese Maestro Music Please CR-CA148/24M/C-PI-ECHO CR-696G24M-PI CR-750 CHIC CH SoftMaple Gunflint's Beauty CGC CR-715G28F-NOPI, CR-EL131F28-NOPI, CR-CA157/28F/P-NOPI, CR-CA157/39F/C-PI, CR-835 CHIC #26258
#12 Ch. Dese's Black As Coal, CD, WC, CGC, TT, JH, RN CR-530G26M-T, CR-CA47/30M/C-T, CR-582 CHIC and CH SoftMaple's Pheasant Dreams WC CGC CR-722G34F, CR-El134F34, CR-CA178/41F/P-NOPI, CR-814N
#13 CH Elflock False Echoes CR-859, CR-769G33M-PI, CR-CA209/34M/C-PI, CHIC and CH SoftMaple's Fairway Explorer CGC CR-CA74/16F/S-PI CR-EL98F28-PI CR-642G28F-PI, CERF CR-678
Knicknack's Ambassador CR-776E28M-PI, CR-EL161M28-PI, CR-TH10/28M-PI,
Cardiac clear by a Cardiologist And Eyes Clear by a A.C.V.O, E.C.V.O Diplomate Veterinarian 3/4/2006 and CH SoftMaple's International Fling CGC CR-EL97F26-PI, CR-640G26F-PI, CR-CA134/34F/C-PI, CR-753, CHIC 26238, GSDIIIa clear
CH SOFT MAPLE INTERNATIONAL FLING CGC CHIC#26238
CH SOFT MAPLE'S O'DARK THIRTY MH, CD, TT, HOF, WCQ, CGC CHIC#26208
CH SOFTMAPLE BOYERIE INT'L DATELINE CHIC#26235
CH SOFTMAPLE GUNFLINT BEAUTY CGC CHIC#26258
CH SOFTMAPLEN'HUNTERBAY'S NYWKEND CGC TT CHIC#26240
CH SOFTMAPLES COMIN' TO AMERICA CGC CD CHIC#26259
CH SOFTMAPLE'S WATERWORKS CGC CHIC#26223
CH FAIRWAY PIZZAZZ RENDEZVOUS CHIC#26236
SOFT MAPLE VELVET ELVIS CHIC#32067
SOFTMAPLE YANKEE PUDLE CHIC#38871
SoftMaple's Announcement pagePuppy Buyers
Looking for the "Perfect" Curly Puppy?
One that doesn't shed, chew or pee on the carpets?
Please click HERE
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