What diseases are Dutch Shepherds prone to?
Dutch Shepherds are generally healthy but may be susceptible to the following:
- 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 Dutch Shepherd, have them checked out by a vet to see if they have or are prone to getting dysplasia.
- Eye issues: Dutch Shepherds might experience goniodysplasia, an abnormal eye defect where fluid from the eye is restricted and can not properly drain, potentially causing an obstruction, and keratitis, an inflammation of the cornea. To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may recommend joint eye and imaging tests for the dog.