Are Beaucerons healthy?

• Hip and/or elbow dysplasia: Hip and elbow dysplasia are two of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs. They are similar diseases in which either the hip or elbow joint has grown abnormally or is misshapen. The abnormal shape prevents the joints and sockets from adequately meeting one another, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. Though the main complication with hip dysplasia is joint instability, the abnormalities present in elbow dysplasia often result in pieces of bone and/or cartilage breaking loose and irritating the joint tissues. Over time, the rubbing from dysplasia can cause a variety of issues, such as pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. Surgery can be done to fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis. If you are rescuing a Beauceron, have them checked out by a vet to see if they have or are prone to getting dysplasia so you know what they will be able to handle regarding activities and exercise.

• Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD): This condition causes improper growth of the cartilage in the joints. It’s usually observed in the elbows but has also been seen in the shoulders. The lack of cartilage properly covering the bone creates stiffness in the joint to the point that a dog becomes unable to bend her elbow. High-protein foods designed to increase growth (such as puppy formulas) may contribute to the development of Osteochondrosis dissecans.

• Dilated cardiomyopathy: Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a heart condition that is characterized by the heart muscles’ inability to contract properly, which ultimately leads to a decrease in blood pumping to the heart. When a dog has cardiomyopathy both the heart chambers become enlarged from having to work harder to get blood through. The extra stress on the heart from the restricted blood flow often leads to congestive heart failure (CHF). The major symptoms of DCM include lethargy, anorexia, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, coughing, a swollen abdomen, and temporary loss of consciousness.

• Others: Gastric dilatation-volvulus, a sudden, painful, and life-threatening swelling and twisting of the abdomen; progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a progressive degenerative disease affecting the retina that eventually leads to blindness; and allergies. To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may recommend hip, eye, and imaging tests for the dog.