I certainly do know this stuff! Unfortunately, it's all I can think of whenever anyone asks my opinion on certain breeds they want to obtain (I'm a tech and so friends and family are always asking for animal advice, free of charge of course!)

"I'd love a bulldog!" -"Put away $10,000 for the surgeries she'll need to be able to breathe correctly."

"I want a Cavalier King Charles!" -"Find a cardiologist NOW and make an appointment for the day you bring him home."

"This little Chiworkiepooxen only cost $2000 and he's a REAL PURE BREED!" -"Uhhh....sure."

I did look into genetic issues when I got my first Siberian husky from a reputable breeder and he had no health issues at all during his 14-year life - old for a husky. My second Sibe was a sled-dog rescue and while his breed conformation was perfect, more so than my first who was too big, he also had kidney disease and died of cancer at age 7 - neither of which huskies are gentically predisposed to.

I would always consider this when choosing a breed and particularly a breeder, as my first dog proved that a well-bred dog can be healtheir than average. Unfortunately, my second proved that unexpected diseases can crop up and when you get a rescue, you often have no history to go by.

Dr. K., thank you for the excellent information on greyhounds, especially about their temperment. That you have links to the two best greyhound vets I know is really awesome - Dr. Feeman, Dr. Couto and the team at Ohio State!

I read your article on Newfoundlands. First, under both "neurologic conditions" and "cardiovascular conditions" you refer to the "Mastiff" instead of the Newfoundland. Second, the section on cardiovascular conditions fails to mention the prevalence of subaortic stenosis (SAS) in Newfies, which is highlighted as a concern by most Newf clubs including the Newfoundland Club of America (see their 1-page "Health Information for Puppy Buyers"). We did our research before getting our wonderful, healthy Newf pup and subaortic stenosis, hip/elbow dysplasia, and bloat/torsion definitely stood out as the biggest health concerns for Newfs. I really appreciate the information on cystinuria, as I was unaware of this condition.

Hi Dr. K,
I think this is a great reference, and I hope that many people find this site and read up on their 'dream' breeds before making their purchase! I was looking through a random spattering of breeds, and found it amusing that you considered some of the a-poo dogs as breeds, but I understand why...they're everywhere! I just wanted to let you know that in the Yorki-poo section, where you are discussing how reputable breeders won't allow their dogs to mix, you use Cocker Spaniel/Poodle a couple times, instead of Yorkie/Poodle. I just thought you might want to know - I can imagine with the magnitude of this project there will be a couple of typos...

Great job with it, tho!

Though I appreciate the kudos on the breed list, let me be clear: I authored the articles on the genetic diseases, not on the breeds themselves. A pair of excellent canine journalists took on the breed task. They certainly did their research. (And btw, I'll let them know about the Newfie/SAS thing.)

As to how long it took me? About two to three hours per article. I earned my keep––and then some.

This is a fabulous resource. Thank you to all involved! However, I do not see the Australian Cattle Dog/Queensland Heeler listed. Smart, high energy and LOTS of personality, this breed's needs are often seriously underestimated. Could you PLEASE add it? Thanks!

Awesome job of cataloguing this information. I'm wondering where the insurance company got their data on diseases. One of the livestock guarding breeds I've been involved with for the past 18 years does not list two of the prevalent diseases we see in the breed, bloat and cancer.

Davis Research Centre in California has identified the genetic abnormality that causes high uric acid formation in Dals and they can test for it with a simple cheek swab.

Greetings! Unfortunately, most dog walkers discover a danger, only sadly, when victimized. And so I wanted to inform you of StreetZaps.com. And so you are aware, I confer with Con Edison's Stray Voltage and Public Affairs Units and contribute to Wet Nose Guide and New York Dog Chat. Thank you.

WHY URBAN METAL ISN'T PRECIOUS- Blair Sorrel, Founder, www.StreetZaps.com

Of course, you want a worry-free walk year-round, so adopt this simple strategy:

EYEBALL THE BLOCK, AVOID A SHOCK.

Take just a few seconds to survey the immediate surroundings and make your trajectory toward a non-conductive surface, ie., plastic, wood, cardboard, rather than risking any metal or electrical fixture. The lowly, free-standing garbage bag, is you and your dog's best friend, most of the time, unless it's snowed and salted. Then you might contemplate indoor products. Consider the safer, hardware-free RopeNGo leash and harness to help shield against a possible zapping and for greater peace of mind.

CONTACT VOLTAGE DOESN'T DISCRIMINATE BY GENDER.

Your pooch's sex is irrelevant. True, the most gruesome scenario is that of a male dog electrocuted by its ys. Intuit your dog's cues, if resistant to an area, choose an alternative route. Elude potentially live work areas or carry your canine, if necessary. Opt for indoor products such as The Pet Loo, Hammacher Schlemmer's Indoor Restroom, or Wee-Wee Pads, if external conditions are ominous. Dog booties can leak and make your pooch even more vulnerable.

ARE YOU PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH YOUR DOG?

Any of these fixtures might be dangerous, so again, choose non-conductive where and when possible. (link to home page fixtures listed below and/or the visuals page):

View All StreetZaps' Home Page & Safety Images

– Street & Traffic Lights can leak if damaged internally, even if the compartment is fully closed and the light is not illuminated

– While wooden blocks anchor Scaffolding or Sidewalk Sheds, be aware that sloppy wiring by a contractor and/or the use of lighting equipment which is NOT WATER-PROOFED or even suitable for outdoor usage, may still shock a passerby.

– ATM Vestibules

– Decorative Lighting

– Dog Booties may increase
the risk of a shock

- Electrical Boxes

– Fire Hydrants

– Fire Police Call Boxes

– Manhole Covers

– Muni Meters

– Phone Booths

– Service Boxes

– Street Light Boxes

– Traffic Boxes

– Work Areas

After all, why chance it when there's a choice?

BETWEEN YOU, ME, AND THE LAMPPOST.

Tampered equipment can become pernicious so please map (Report Form) damaged fixtures and known hot spots to admonish other pedestrians and alert the utility and transportation department.

I love 'em all, but potcakes /mutts are special. :-)

I appreciate what you have written about my particular breed and especially "how" to buy a pup and be sure it is from a good breeder. What I do have to disagree with is that this insurance company charges more for purebreds than mixed breeds. They are all canines and no one keeps records on mixed breed health problems. Mixed breeds are not as likely to be taken to a specialist to be treated for, say, hip dysplasia and the chances are nil that it will ever been screened for this at age 2 by the owners. But a large majority of them get "arthritis" (caused by? I wonder....) and are treated for painful hips as they age. People have little invested into their mixed breeds as far as a purchase price, people are more likely to spend more on the purebred than the mixed breed. There is a prevalant attitude of "oh, I can get another one" whereas the purebred usually represents a significant investment.
I will put my WELL BRED purebreds up against dogs of my breed as well as any other breed OR mixed breeds for health clearances. All are tested for CHD, eye problems (annually), elbow dysplasia, vWD, auscultated for PDA and DNA tested for DM. As well as being carefully bred for excellent temperaments.
I know I'm not the only one. The insurance company would be better off saying "submit clearances for the parents and we'll give you a substantial discount". Then I could send my puppy buyers here to purchase insurance. Mix breeds could be tested on their own for a discount, too. Just an idea.

In the basenji section under recommendations for breeding is the line: "a recent negative test for Fanconi syndrome."
This is a little confusing, as some may assume you mean strip testing the urine. Some less scrupulous breeders may even try to pass off the strip testing the urine as having fanconi tested dogs!
Is it possible to emphasize that the genetic linkage test is what should be done before breeding, and only needs to be done once in a dog's life. One parent in all breedings MUST be probable clear for Fanconi syndrome in order to avoid producing a Fanconi affected pup.

My dog is one year and three month old and i am having some issues with him i bougth him lots of toys but the dog is bites everything he is realy imperative can you give me a advice in what to do.