Health Issues in the Schipperke
There is a long list of possible genetic issues that have "popped up" in the breed, but there are few that the breed as a whole is considered a risk for. We have tried to explain a few of these in greater detail, to help those interested in learning more about the breed.
MPSIIIb: This is one of the most important diseases that must be discussed in Schipperkes today. 15 years ago, few to no Schipperke breeders even knew this disease existed. A few careful owners and breeders decided to look deeply into their dogs' health issues, and this led them to the University of Pennsylvania. There a study was being conducted on MPSIIIb; but this study was for people, not for dogs. They immediately became interested in this issue in the breed, as it enabled them to learn more about it and help the people also affected with it.
Thanks to their efforts, we have had a genetic test to identify carriers, affecteds and normals for over 10 years now. Among show breeders, almost all breeding stock is tested. Before we had this test, affected dogs were produced, and many peoples' hearts were broken as they watch their dogs slowly die. The disease still exists, and, despite the test, some affected dogs have still been produced today. As such, please do not buy from any breeder unless they have proved to you that they have tested their dogs for this disease!
So, what is MPS and how does it work? MPS works at a cellular level. The cell operates on a very small, complicated level almost as the body as a whole does. The nucleus is a bit like the brain, the mitochondria is a bit like the heart. In the cell, there are tiny "organelles" produced called lysosomes, and these are the trash cans of the cell. When the cell no longer needs things, they are sent to the lysosomes, where sugars are used like an assembly line to break down unwanted material into sizes the cell can then expel. When one of those sugars is not produced, the unwanted material isn't broken down and it stays in the lysosome. Eventually that lysosome becomes unable to operate any longer, and the cell builds another one. Eventually, the cell begins to fill up with "full trash cans", until it can no longer operate normal either. Dogs affected with MPSIIIb have inherited a defective copy from EACH parent that creates the sugar naglu (alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase), and this always results in the death of the dog, usually within 2 to 4 years.
Epilepsy: This disease can likely be traced back to the first Schipperkes used to create the breed. It is certainly breed wide, and despite many efforts, we still have no test to help us weed this out of the breed. Ethical breeders move forward with their healthy dogs, eliminating any unhealthy ones from their breeding program.
LCP: This occurs when the blood supply is cut off to the head of the femur and the bone in that area dies. It results in limping and weaker bones, which means the leg can be easily broken. It is treated by surgery, and the dog can live a long, happy life, but they may always have arthritis in the hips. It is diagnosed by an xray at one year of age or older, and read by either an experienced vet or OFA.
Petallas: Schipperkes have been known to have knee problems. This can be diagnosed by most vets with a simple hand manipulation, and identified at a young age (6 to 8 weeks).
MPSIIIb: This is one of the most important diseases that must be discussed in Schipperkes today. 15 years ago, few to no Schipperke breeders even knew this disease existed. A few careful owners and breeders decided to look deeply into their dogs' health issues, and this led them to the University of Pennsylvania. There a study was being conducted on MPSIIIb; but this study was for people, not for dogs. They immediately became interested in this issue in the breed, as it enabled them to learn more about it and help the people also affected with it.
Thanks to their efforts, we have had a genetic test to identify carriers, affecteds and normals for over 10 years now. Among show breeders, almost all breeding stock is tested. Before we had this test, affected dogs were produced, and many peoples' hearts were broken as they watch their dogs slowly die. The disease still exists, and, despite the test, some affected dogs have still been produced today. As such, please do not buy from any breeder unless they have proved to you that they have tested their dogs for this disease!
So, what is MPS and how does it work? MPS works at a cellular level. The cell operates on a very small, complicated level almost as the body as a whole does. The nucleus is a bit like the brain, the mitochondria is a bit like the heart. In the cell, there are tiny "organelles" produced called lysosomes, and these are the trash cans of the cell. When the cell no longer needs things, they are sent to the lysosomes, where sugars are used like an assembly line to break down unwanted material into sizes the cell can then expel. When one of those sugars is not produced, the unwanted material isn't broken down and it stays in the lysosome. Eventually that lysosome becomes unable to operate any longer, and the cell builds another one. Eventually, the cell begins to fill up with "full trash cans", until it can no longer operate normal either. Dogs affected with MPSIIIb have inherited a defective copy from EACH parent that creates the sugar naglu (alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase), and this always results in the death of the dog, usually within 2 to 4 years.
Epilepsy: This disease can likely be traced back to the first Schipperkes used to create the breed. It is certainly breed wide, and despite many efforts, we still have no test to help us weed this out of the breed. Ethical breeders move forward with their healthy dogs, eliminating any unhealthy ones from their breeding program.
LCP: This occurs when the blood supply is cut off to the head of the femur and the bone in that area dies. It results in limping and weaker bones, which means the leg can be easily broken. It is treated by surgery, and the dog can live a long, happy life, but they may always have arthritis in the hips. It is diagnosed by an xray at one year of age or older, and read by either an experienced vet or OFA.
Petallas: Schipperkes have been known to have knee problems. This can be diagnosed by most vets with a simple hand manipulation, and identified at a young age (6 to 8 weeks).
Last Updated 3/1/2016 BY DP