Allergies and Breeding

[Cody]

So on a different forum I am a member of the conversation about health issues came up and one of the questions was; Would you breed a dog knowing that it had serious allergies?
For example Canine Atopic Dermatitis caused by allergies is known to be hereditary (can be environmental or food related), so if you had a dog in your program who suffers from this would you consider breeding it or would you consider buying a pup if the sire or dam suffered from this?
We talk about other health testing, hips, elbows, cardiac, thyroid... But allergies is often swept away, when it is an issue in mastiff breeds.

 

[Geisthexe]

As a breeder, I would not breed problems like this. Having a food allergy is completely different but when it comes to the immune system that can be passed on.

 

[Cody]

As a breeder, I would not breed problems like this. Having a food allergy is completely different but when it comes to the immune system that can be passed on.

However Canine Atopy can be a food related hypersensitivity/allergy, and unfortunately is common in some breeds.
I know that there are many other issues people may find more important to work on, but knowing the potential to pass on this trait would you breed the dog/bitch?

 

[ruthcatrin]

Hm, there are levels I think at least for me.

A dog with a single allergy, such as chicken, wouldn't bother me, either as a pup or as a parent to a pup. I'd appreciate the disclosure of the allergy from the breeder, but the single allergy wouldn't bother me. (edit: if BOTH parents have an allergy to the same thing I might stop and think about it harder)

A dog that has allergies to multiple things, not so much, and a dog who's been diagnosed with Canine Atopic Dermatitis: no way.

Apollo gets itchy every spring if we allow him to play in the brush. We've not yet been able to narrow down WHAT is setting him off. But he's never ever scratched himself raw, or shown any other symptoms that indicate a SEVERE allergy (such as those described for CAD). I'll make sure that the owner of any bitch who's interested in breeding to him is aware that he gets itchy in the spring, just in case, but I don't consider it to be major problem.

 

[Geisthexe]

Well I can say I am one of the pickiest breeders in Presa's
I will not breed dogs with allergies period
I will not breed dogs with hip / elbow problems
I will not breed structure problems (mind you all dogs have issues but I do my best to find a dog that doesnt have them so when I breed I breed a better pup)
I will not breed bad temperaments (if the dog is shy nope, if the dog is unstable nope) Will I use a dog that has a nasty temperament yes but only to a stable dog so I can breed working not vicious.
I will not breed out of standards, or deformed dogs.

I have to much to loose if I start now with bad dogs.

 

[alwcm4]

My Boone has allergies, it sucks. I can't say I would never do it, would more than likely not breed a dog that has them unless it was a very special case. 99.9% sure I wouldn't though. Whether or not it is genetic there is little known about it's method of inheritance and many dogs that I know that have allergies also have other auto-immune issues. Not worth passing on to another generation in my book.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Mind, if say, mom has an allergy to something, I'm going to expect her to be damn near perfect otherwise. But one allergy with non-extreme symptoms I wouldn't consider to be the end of the world either. But its a slidng scale and I'll admit that each case is different, so it would depend heavily!

 

[Cody]

It just isn't talked about much so I found the conversation interesting.
Our Boxer had bad allergies and it really sucked to deal with as an owner. Any deviation would make him extremely ill.
I understand it is a sensitive subject, with so many other issues in these breeds where does one draw the line.
I personally would want full disclosure if buying a pup out of a parent with severe allergies, and honestly for me that dog would have to be pretty special for me to consider.
I am just curious how others see this issue...

 

[seeknoxrun]

I don't plan on ever breeding, so I can't answer from that perspective. But as someone who will purchase more puppies in her lifetime, I will never again buy a puppy from parents with known allergy issues.

Some of you might be familiar with my Roux, who suffers terribly from allergies. Symptoms started around 3 months of age, and by 6 months she had no hair on her limbs and lower trunk, had infections and open wounds from scratching constantly, and raw, weeping paws from constant licking. When I say we tried everything, we tried EVERYTHING to find the source(s) of her allergies and to keep her as comfortable as possible. And most frustrating?? Most vets were NOT helpful. I don't know how many times we heard the same generic advice, and after explaining that we'd already tried all those things, all they could offer was antibiotics and steroids. Finally, we found our way to a specialist at Texas A&M who proved to be the most helpful and informative and we've seen some improvement in Roux. But it's still an uphill battle, and it'll be a lifelong battle. Our next step is to have her allergy tested when she turns 18 months, and we'll probably start allergy shots. It's simply exhausting - mentally, emotionally, and financially. And I can't help but feel so sorry for poor Roux, who has to live in a constant state of discomfort because of irresponsible breeding.

So no, I would never purchase another puppy from lines with known allergy issues.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

To be honest I would be mixed about it. Like Ruth mentioned there would certain levels of the "allergen" I would tolerate. Thor suffered from allergies and honestly is was the most PITA experience I every dealt with. Then I read this forum about other members who dogs suffer from far worse conditions. At first glance I would be inclined to say I would not breed a dog who has a certain hereditary allergy. Then again depending of the "severity" I could consider. If anything I hope the breeder would let me know, rather than blowing it off.