Breed Health Information

Numbers and statistics below from the database of the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals

of the White Swiss Shepherd as of December 31, 2024

OFA HIP RATING OVER RECENT YEARS

(Format of results: Name of result/ Number of dogs with that result/ % of cumulative tested with that result)

Across the years 2021-2024, we do not see much change in overall health of our breed in the area of hip dysplasia, but admittedly four years of data is not a statistically significant amount of historical data to study. However, there are studies where using the OFA method for selecting breedstock for hip quality has NOT drastically improvement a breed’s hip quality over time. One such example tabulation of tens of thousands of dogs and decades of time in the Labrador Retriever. When the mean phenotype for hip conformation does not significantly improve over 50 years, perhaps other methods should be considered for screening, either in addition to, or instead of OFA for hip evaluations. See Article discussing the Labrador. WSSCA very much supports White Swiss Shepherd owners to consider using the services of PennHIP, Vet Scoring in Australia, or even INCOC in Finland. These other rating systems give ratings that are not subjective based on breed, sex like OFA. These other systems also give final ratings at one year of age when growth plates are just closed which is aligned with how the rest of the world handles radiographic clearances. These alternative rating systems also give ratings for each hip, rather than one rating that covers both hips. Rarely are hips bilaterally identical on conformation and for breeders to have a data for each hip can be useful information. Below is a brief summary of alternative methods of hip evaluations.

PENNHIP

PennHIP is a grading system which takes 3 radiographic views and determines the amount of laxity in each hip joint, to determine likelihood of having hip dysplasia in the future. PennHIP radiographs must be done by a PennHIP certified veterinarian. PennHIP does assess the extended ventrodorsal view (the same view OFA requires) and advises if any osteoarthritic changes are currently observed. The measurement of laxity is very objective, as it is an actual measurement of the % of laxity of compressed versus distracted hip views of the femoral heads (balls of the femur) and the acetabula (hip sockets). Looser hips will be subject to more wear, and hip joint “wear” is a lay definition of hip dysplasia. PennHIP also can give a final evaluation much earlier than OFA, and WSSCA currently has established a final rating as early as 8 months with PennHIP.

VET SCORING

Vet Scoring is a canine radiographic rating organization out of Australia, and although it uses the same extended ventrodorsal view as OFA, it gives a report based on 9 conformation categories for each hip joint. This gives extremely useful data as to specifics on any irregularities. The digital reports come back very quickly and are superb feedback for breeders who might be looking to improve detect specific anomalous patterns in hips over generations and breed away from those anomalies. This totality of data can help breeders choose more suitable mates who compliment one another based on specific hip traits they want to improve upon. Vet Scoring also will evaluate elbows, spine. Vet Scoring allows submissions via digital upload by veterinarian or by the dog owner. Final ratings as early as 12 months of age, which growth plates would have just closed for a White Swiss Shepherd, so is a good time to evaluate hips right when bones/joints are just finished being fully formed.

INCOC

INCOC out of Finland, is graded on the FCI matrix for grading and gives a separate score for each hip, just like Vet Scoring, but gives a single letter grade to each hip. It uses the FCI rating procedures, which is graded based on the same standards regardless of sex, breed, and age of the dog. This is a departure from OFA, which has differing grading standards depending on age, breed, and sex. INCOC also will rate elbows and spine. Radiographs can be uploaded directly to the INCOC system via their website by the dog owner their veterinarian. This organization also can give final ratings as early as 12 months of age, which growth plates would have just closed for a White Swiss Shepherd, so is a good time to evaluate hips right when bones/joints are just finished being fully formed.

OFA ELBOW RATINGS OVER THE YEARS

The White Swiss Shepherd incidence of elbow dysplasia needs work. Out of 161 breeds listed in the OFA database, the White Shepherd/White Swiss Shepherd is ranked 22/23. Whether due to diet, environment, or genetics, our % of abnormal elbows is too high with 15%-20% being abnormal throughout recent years. WSSCA will monitor these numbers in the near future, but as of this time we disapprove of breeding anything beyond a Grade I elbow. We suggest a grade I elbow only to a mated with normal elbows and NO history of abnormal elbows in the pedigree of the clear mate. If the dog with the grade I elbow comes from a history of abnormal elbows, we do not suggest breeding the dog regardless. If these numbers do not improve over the next few years, more stringent recommendations/regulations will be put into place for member’s breeding practices. Exceptions are to be made for dogs that incur a documented injury, that later results in a negative health clearance.

DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY DNA RESULTS SUBMISSIONS

Although the DNA test for Degenerative Myelopathy does not carry a 100% correlation as to whether a dog will or will not get Degenerative Myelopathy, the test does have moderate correlation and any improvement in this area is to be commended. In the few years of tabulating on this website we have already seen a 25% decrease in the amount of DM mutations reported.

MULTIPLE DRUG RESISTANCE DNA RESULTS SUBMISSIONS

MDR1 mutations are also reduced since 2021. This mutation, although not a disease per se, can affect the quality of life for a dog if they carry the mutation and the wrong medications given. Reducing risk is always good and the breed is making good progress with MDR1. More information about mutations on the ABCB1 gene can be found here.

OFA BASIC CARDIAC

As of end 2024, there have been 115 OFA Basic Cardiac Submissions, 100% of submissions normal.

Across all years submissions for OFA Basic Cardiac have been 100% normal. A basic cardiac involves an auscultation only. It should be noted that there have been multiple cases of varying types of stenosis in the White Swiss Shepherd that have failed to be diagnosed based on auscultation, but found upon echocardiogram. Aortic stenosis, sub-aortic stenosis, and pulmonary stenosis have been observed on occasion. The reports of stenoses, although only reported in dogs in the United States to our knowledge, is being seen primarily in imported stock. Heart murmurs are also observed on occasion as well in both domestic and imported lines. There seems to be no European standard to cardiac testing for the White Swiss Shepherd, but WSSCA believes that there should be. Without standardized testing worldwide, we have no idea if these cardiac incidences are due entirely to inheritance, or if some other factor causing congenital defect. Basically, the breed needs more data. Due to stenoses being potentially life threatening, WSSCA highly recommends obtaining an OFA Advanced Cardiac exam prior to breeding, which entails a veterinary cardiologist performing an echocardiogram. This may become a requirement for a CHIC certificate very soon.

NUMBER OF OFA EYE ENTRIES: 17

• normal 15/ 88.2%
• normal w/breeder option 2/ 11.8%
• abnormal 0/ 0.0%

NUMBER OF OFA THYROID ENTRIES: 29

• normal 29/ 100.0%
• abnormal 0/ 0.0%

NUMBER OF OFA DENTITION ENTRIES: 31

• full 30/ 96.8%
• missing teeth 1/ 3.2%