Dutch Shepherd Dog - Health

Health

The Dutch Breed Club initiated a hotline in 2008 for reporting health and behavioral problems. Their current statement on health is that the breed has no serious physical or mental hereditary illnesses. However, they still recommend, but do not require, screening for hip dysplasia.

Within the rough-hair population care should be taken to screen for goniodysplasia before breeding. This is a condition where the outflow of fluid from the eye is restricted and under certain circumstances can cause blindness. The link between genetics and goniodysplasia is uncertain. Two dogs who have a risk of goniodysplasia can still have puppies who are not at risk. The Dutch Breed Club regulations requires the testing for GD for rough-hairs.

As with any breed, thoroughly research your prospective breeder before making your final decision.

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