LeoWorld: Breed Overview: Health

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Health

Health and Life-span: Leos are subject to the short life span and various health problems that plague most giant breeds. However, Leos tend to be healthier overall than the other giant breeds. This is true because Leo breeders in all countries have been health conscious. Stringent breeding regulations are adhered to on a voluntary basis in every country where the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) issues papers. Dogs in Germany are registered with the FCI through the German Kennel Club, Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen (VDH) , which has designated the National Breed club, the Deutsche Club für Leonberger Hunde to keep the stud book and supervise registrations. Therefore, breeding is closely supervised and breeders must adhere to the Deutsche Club für Leonberger Hunde breeding regulations for a puppy to be registered.

In Great Britain, all official breed clubs are governed by the Kennel Club. The KC has a reciprocal agreement with the FCI, which allows for example dogs born here and registered with the KC to be later exported and registered abroad with another kennel club. Leonberger breeding requirements are those set down by the KC.

In America, because the Leonberger Club of America maintains the stud book and issues all legitimate registrations, no American-born dog can be registered with the LCA unless the very strict breeding regulations have been followed for both the sire and the dam of the litter. The American breeding regulations can be found in their entirety on the LeoWorld Web site or obtained by writing the LCA.

If you are considering getting a dog, health should be one of your top considerations. For Leonbergers, you must be very sure that you obtain your dog from a breeder and not from a commercial dog trading establishment . Make sure that the breeder is a member of their country's Leonberger Club and is on the current list of approved breeders. That is your only assurance that the strict breeding standards imposed by most countries have been followed. The FCI does not require any more than the AKC in the way of breeding standards, but most of the national clubs are diligent in requiring adherence to very precise guidelines developed to minimize genetic flaws and diseases.

If the price quoted for a Leo is out of line, either much lower or higher than the typical price for your country, that is a cue to be careful and visit several breeders. Leos are expensive (in the $1,000 range, regardless of country), but Leonberger breeders have been diligent about not letting prices get driven up to the level that greed interferes with good breeding practices. The current prices allow most breeders to recoup the costs of breeding healthy litters and also help keep frivolous buyers from purchasing Leos on a whim.

The International Union für Leonberger Hunde, in concert with the FCI, has adopted the following statement regarding the sale of Leonbergers through the auspices of dog traders:

All member countries of the IU prohibit the sale and purchase of leonberger dogs to and from professional dealers for the purpose of resale. They will not tolerate any commercial trade of Leonberger dogs.

Special Medical Problems Associated With The Breed:The very strict breeding guidelines and the diligent oversight of the national Leonberger Clubs have been successful to date in preserving the general health of the breed. However, there are special medical problems, most of which are associated with giant breeds in general, that every breeder, owner, and potential owner should be aware of.

Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is unfortunately found in almost all breeds, especially the larger ones. The Leonberger is no exception. Hip dysplasia (HD) is an hereditary developmental disease. HD is a result of abnormal development of the "ball-and socket" joints of the hips. Severity covers a wide range from slight abnormality to very severe dislocation. Dysplastic dogs are born with normal hip joints which undergo changes as the dogs mature. Although the cause is hereditary, the disease can be made worse by environmental factors such as rapid growth, overfeeding and excessive exercise. Keeping the incidence of the disease to a minimum depends on accurate X-ray diagnosis, accurate breeding records and strict breeding regulatins that allow only the best proven sires and dams to breed.

The Breeding Committees of the various national Leonberger clubs have been extremely diligent in education and enforcement of breeding regulations designed to minimize dysplasia in Leos. Leonbergers are not allowed to be bred in most countries, without certification that the parents are HD free and, in some instances, proof of HD-free ancestors and/or siblings The severity of the problem fits a graded series from normal through mildly affected to severely affected dogs. Different countries have different scales for reporting the results of veterinary examination of X-rays. The Leonberger Union has compiled a chart comparing several nation's scoring schemes.

OCD: Most Breeding Committees are controlling for OCD (osteochondritis dessicans) and other joint diseases by requiring not only clear hips, but also clear elbow x-rays before dogs can be bred. OCD is found in all large breeds that experience rapid growth, and is therefore seen in the Leonberger. OCD is a condition where an area of cartilage dies and falls into the associated joint. It sometimes revives and grows to form a loose lump called a "joint mouse." This rubs on the joint, causing swelling, pain and limping. It is treatable with surgery. There are a variety of causes for the condition.

Eosinophilic Panosteitis:"Pano" is a disease with no known cause that resolves without, or in spite of, treatment! It is a generalized inflammation of the bones that is commonly referred to as growing pains. A healthy puppy suddenly develops an acute and painful lameness with no known history of trauma. The lameness often shifts from one limb to another. It is easily diagnosed by veterinarians. Anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed, and attempts to slow the rate of growth of the puppy are usually recommended. The good news is that pano is self-limiting and does not seem to result in any long-term damage.

Addison's Disease: Addison's disease is a rare hormonal disorder of the adrenal glands. It has been diagnosed in both European and American Leonbergers. It is serious and can lead to death if undiagnosed. However, if diagnosed correctly, it can be very successfully managed with medication. Affected dogs often have periodic vomiting and diarrhea, lethargy, exercise intolerance, and weight loss. Symptoms come on gradually and become worse with time. It is typically a disease of young to middle-aged female dogs. It can be definitively diagnosed with blood tests. The bloodlines that have shown evidence of Addison's disease are being carefully monitored in the United States by the LCA's Heath Committee.

Entropion and Ectropion Eyes: Some Leonberger lines are known to carry the genes for ectropionism and entropionism (inverted eyelids). These can be corrected with a relatively minor surgical procedure. This condition is considered a major fault, however, and dogs known to carry the gene are not allowed to breed.

Osteosarcoma: Bone cancer is a frequent cause of death in giant breeds, and Leonbergers are no exception. However, it usually does not strike until dogs have passed their seventh year and frequently much later. Osteosarcoma is a a highly destructive tumor state which spreads rapidly to other organs, particularly the lungs. Treatment often requires amputation of the affected limb combined with chemotherapy.

Bloat: Also known as gastric dilation, bloat can occur in any breed. In deep-chested breeds, like the Leonberger, the stomach can fill with gas and twist trapping the gas inside. This is a life-threatening event which must be treated immediately. As a preventative measure, Leos should be fed from raised bowls and should not be vigorously exercised or stressed for at least one hour after feeding.