Golden Retrievers are generally of excellent health. I cannot stress this enough – Golden Retrievers are healthy doggies! In saying this – we do however need to cover all basis, therefore we will briefly touch upon a few things you may come across.
According to Dr Carol Beuchat (PHD), from the Institute of Canine Biology, “all puppies are born with healthy hips”. The genes (if there are any) , that influence hip dysplasia have not been found. Which means one thing : it is an environmental issue!
Hips and elbows are generally scored at the age of (at least) 12 months, by taken an X-ray whereafter it is scored by a radiologist. In South Africa , these scores work as follows:
A1 = Excellent hips
A2 = Good Hips
B1 = Fair Hips
B2 = Marginal CHD
C1 = Mild CHD
C2 = Mild to moderate CHD
D1 = Modearte
D2 = Moderate to Severe CHD
E1 = Severe CHD
E2 = Vey Severe CHD
0 = Normal elbow joint
1 = Mild Arthrosis
2 = Mild Arhtrosis or suspect primary lesion
3 = Severe Arthrosis orevident primary lesion
In all my years of dealing with animal husbandry and genetics , I have yet to come across a more absurd topic than HIPS. I have seen parents with “Great” hips, produce pups with “bad” hips and vice-versa. As a result I have done extensive research on this topic, which results in the following conclusion:
Not Genetic
As explained above , the genes that influence hip scores have never been found. In 2015 Bioberica developed a product by the name of DYSGEN, which could identify certain key mutations presumed to influence Hip Dysplasia in Labradors . A subsequent study on 39 Danish Labradors proved the test to be ineffective. – Again, and I concur, Hip scores are NOT genetic. Hip scores in GOLDEN RETRIEVERS have been used as a scape goat , by uninformed people to shy away from the true culpruts – feeding and environment.
Feeding
There are numerous , very good commercial dog feed brands available on the market. Your puppy needs a well balanced diet. Please consult your breeder or Vet on this matter. The MAIN problem is over feeding. We all love our pups and it is very hard to say NO , to those beautiful brown loving eyes. But you are doing your baby a disservice by allowing him or her to put on extra weight.
Exercise
In the first 12 months : Please no strenuous exercise . No up- and- down stairs. Rather treat them as very fragile in the first yearand spend years , pain-free. No beach runs! After the age of one year the Femur bone should be nicely settled into the hip socket, and then they should be alright for taking those morning jogs with you.
Institute of Canine Biology
Please take the time to read the well written article below ,about HIPS on the KUSA website
https://www.kusa.co.za/index.php/kusa-initiatives/canine-health/999-hip-dysplasia-10-most-important-things?tmpl=component&print=1
Accoring to Labogen.com, Ichthyosis in Golden Retrievers is a genetic skin condition causing abnormal scaling due to faulty keratin production. Two forms exist, ICH-1 and ICH-2, both non-epidermolytic, meaning the skin layers are not visibly separated. Symptoms include flaky, white-grey scales, often on the trunk, and sometimes hyperpigmentation in thin-haired areas. While often mild, it can predispose dogs to secondary infections and may require ongoing management.
ICH type 1 and 2 are genetically autosomal recessive mutations.
At Honeycreek Farms we do DNA sampling and testing of our Stud dogs to ensure the progeny of our Goldens are not affected doggies.
According to UCDavis Veterinary Laboratory , progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is characterized by bilateral degeneration of the retina resulting in progressive vision loss leading to total blindness. More than one form of PRA affects Golden Retrievers, and causal mutations in three distinct genes have been identified; two of those mutations lead to PRA1 and PRA2.
G-PRA types 1 and 2 are genetically autosomal recessive mutations.
At Honeycreek Farms we do DNA sampling and testing of our Stud dogs to ensure the progeny of our Goldens are not affected doggies.
SAS , Subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS), the most common congenital heart disease in Golden Retrievers. As there are no genetic testing available for this, we do the next best thing by having all our pups checked by our Veterinary Doctor for any signs of heart troubles.