The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals offers free Breed Club Health Surveys of many dog breeds so that breed associations and breeders can be better informed about health issues of their breeds. The surveys can be completed online (although you may need the assistance of your veterinarian for a question or two) in about 20 minutes. They’re pretty thorough, too. The results are confidential and are used to identify health issues of various breeds. They also tell you as a pet owner which genetic health screens your dog should have.
To take the survey, visit http://www.offa.org/surveys/index.html. You can even read the results of some of the surveys, which are fascinating.For example, did you know:
22% of Papillons have been diagnosed with dental disorders?1 in 10 Staffordshire Bull Terriers is used in obedience trials?The most common skin disorder in Parson Russell Terriers is seasonal allergies?Some surveys may be closed, but check back every 6 months to see if your dog’s survey is open. If you have a purebred dog, even it you obtained him/her from a shelter, you should answer the survey to help breeders and breed clubs understand the health issues oftheir favorite dogs.
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