Finnish Spitz is one of the healthiest dog breeds, but that hasn’t always been the case. 20 years ago, the breed was a typical ‘epilepsy breed’, which was always taken as an example, when talking about breed-specific disease burdens. Now the situation is quite different.
Inheritance, risk factors and breeding considerations of cancer in dogs
Cancer inheritance in dogs can be influenced by genetic factors and breed predispositions. While most cancers in dogs are caused by spontaneous mutations that occur during a dog’s lifetime, certain breeds have a higher incidence of specific cancers due to inherited genetic mutations.
Chondrodystrophy (CDDY) predisposes dogs to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
Chondrodystrophic dogs have an extra copy of a growth factor gene known as the CDDY retrogene. This retrogene causes a dog to have a hereditary disorder of bone growth and ossification. The disorder predisposes dogs to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), a painful condition with a high mortality rate.
Retrogenes in dogs – CDPA for short legs and CDDY for premature disc degeneration
Two retrogenes affecting leg length in dogs are currently known in dogs. Both retrogenes have an impact on the welfare of dogs and should therefore also be taken into account in breeding.