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health issues:
As with nearly all breeds of dog, the Staffordshire Bull
Terrier has been identified to have certain genes which
can cause health issues. The idea behind screening
for these genes, is primarily to eradicate these faults
out of the breed, therefore any dog tested with them should
be endorsed so you cannot breed on from them. Insurance
companies are cottoning on to these known health issues,
and will either not insure your dog, or considerably increase
your premium if your dog is untested or affected.
Therefore as a potential owner of a new staffie puppy, you
must ensure the sire and the dam have had the necessary
health screening, before you embark on purchasing any of
their puppies. Please remember as long as the sire and dam
are clear then the puppy will also be clear. If the parents
haven't been tested, or their parents etc. then this is
already a sign that you might not be dealing with a responsible
breeder. In this case you must ensure the breeder gets the
puppies individually tested, before you make any purchase.
If they refuse, walk away.
Do not go on a breeders verbal confirmation that the parents
or their puppies have been tested and are clear, please
ensure you check the breeder has the documentation to back
this up. The primary document to check is the Kennel
Club Owner Registration Certificate for the puppy.
If the sire and dam haven't been tested, but the puppy has
and is clear, then under the puppy health screening section
it will state the following:
DNA Tests: (<Dateoftest>) - KC/AHT L-2HGA Clear
(<Dateoftest>) - KC/AHT HC-1 Clear
If the sire and dam have been tested and are clear, then
under the puppy health screening section it will state the
following:
DNA Tests: KC/AHT L-2HGA Hereditarily Clear KC/AHT
HC-1 Hereditarily Clear
To read more about these health issues please visit the
excellent Stafford's web site by clicking
here
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