HEALTHY ROTTWEILERS

Healthy Happy Rottweilers

Why Health Test?

While trying to breed the best rottweiler is complicated, the reason for health testing is actually very simple. You, as the customer and dog owner, are making a significant investment when you decide to get a rottweiler: The initial investment in buying the puppy, the ongoing investment in its care, the investment in training and perhaps, the most important, the emotional investment of falling in love with these dogs. Given that, it makes sense to select your dog carefully so that you have the least risk of expensive medical issues and the emotional toll of potentially losing your pet to soon. At Simms we work hard to screen our dogs carefully and only breed animals that not only look great on the outside but also are healthy on the inside.

OFA- The Canine Health Information Center

Founded in 1966, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals works to promote the health and welfare of companion animals through a reduction in the incidence of genetic disease. The OFA website and databases provide the tools breeders should employ and as a prospective owner it is a good idea to check that your breeder uses this information.

Certain breeds of dogs are prone to different health issues. The OFA uses the input of veterinarians and cutting edge veterinary research to identify potential genetic areas of weakness and test for them. Encouraging breeding only the healthiest dogs results in the reduction of genetic disease. This is far more than a routine vet exam. These tests check for issues that may not be symptomatic to help ensure breeders are not passing these conditions on to the dog's offspring such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, cardiac and vision issues etc.

What Is JLPP?

JLPP is the acronym for juvenile laryngeal paralysis polyneuropathy. It is an ugly recessive genetic disease that affects Rottweiler and Black Russian Terrier breeds. The affected dogs have breathing problems leading to laryngeal paralysis. This test, that is an absolute must on all Rottweilers that will be bred, is called a JLPP test. It will show if the dog is Clear, A Carrier, or Affected. If two Carriers are bred together this will create affected puppies who in turn will not live past 1 yr old. It is always a death sentence. The puppy will not show symptoms of this until sometimes 12 weeks of age so it is important to make sure your breeder tests for this genetic condition before buying a puppy. Parents that are carriers will not show symptoms. JLPP has been around for a while but has been often misdiagnosed. For more info on JLPP you can visit https://www.ofa.org/diseases/dna-tested-diseases/juvenile-laryngeal-paralysis-polyneuropathy

What Do We Test For?

Health testing for dogs is an evolving field. At Simms we try to take advantage of the current technology to produce the best rottweilers we can. Our dogs are tested for hip and elbow dysplasia, eye health, correct dentition, advanced cardiac health and JLPP.

Final Thoughts

Remember health certified parents help produce healthier puppies! Ethical breeders will want these tests done to not only help their puppies live long healthy lives, but to help ensure the puppy owners get to enjoy that puppy for many years to come! We worry about these things so you don't have to!