Note: The Spanish Water Dog Association of America, Inc. does not in whole or in any part endorse this article.
This article is not directed towards or intended to offend any Spanish breeder that conducts prescreening health tests. This article is intended to inform the American public that the majority of Spanish breeders do NOT conduct health tests. BUYERS BEWARE when purchasing puppies from Spain.
With all the difficulties the Spanish Water Dog faces in the future, health-screening tests are the simplest and most elementary way to help the breed. A reputable breeder cares about their dogs and the puppies they brought into this world. Before they breed a litter, they have their dogs tested. The tests are for hereditary health problems- joint disorders, eye disorders, as well as other problems known in the breed. If their dog turns out to be carrying a problem, they spay/neuter and give or sell the dog as a pet. They also title the dogs- by competing with other dogs at dog events. This shows that the dog is up to the breed standard- not only in physical looks. Most breeders title in more than just conformation, they participate in agility, hunting trials, etc., they put the dog up against other dogs in what the breed was originally bred to do.
One big concern is hip dysplasia and degenerative joint disease- reputable breeders screen their dogs for signs of this hereditary problem. This is to assure that your 2 year old Spanish Water Dog isn't crippled from hip problems. Another concern is Progressive Retinal Atrophy- this is a hereditary eye condition that causes blindness. Since most dogs do not show signs of this until they are over 5 years old, it is extremely important that all the dogs are tested yearly for eye problems- a reputable breeder does this to assure you don't have a blind 5 year old dog. Puppy mills and backyard breeders don't check for this problem- and you are taking a very high risk at not only massive vet bills, but having your pet suffer
For hundreds of years the Spanish herders and hunters have maintained a breed of dogs that we know today as the Spanish Water Dog. Throughout this period of time they have bred dogs that fulfilled a needed job and for the most part were healthy. Dogs that did not do their assigned task or were unhealthy were not cared for. They were either put down or left to starve. This natural selection with human intervention served a purpose but thank goodness that those practices are a thing of the past. In modern day, we conduct health screening tests. Dogs and bitches that do not meet the minimum criteria are removed from the gene pool.
The Northern European countries were the first to conduct health-screening tests on Spanish Water Dogs. They quickly learned the Spanish Water Dogs do in fact suffer from hip dysplasia and eye problems as well as many other genetic problems.
In 1985 the Spanish Water Dogs were introduced to the dog world in Spain. To be fully accepted as a pure breed FCI required that there were 8 generations of dogs. So the Spanish breeder went to their assigned task of educating the public and by breeding every perro they could get their hands on to achieve 8 generations of perros. But at what cost to the breed? The process of “natural selection” of versatile working dogs that the herding and hunters utilized is long gone. How are the Spanish breeders selecting their breeding stock and what are they doing to ensure healthy perros are being bred? For the most part, dogs that win in conformation shows are the dogs that are being bred the most. Very few, if any of these dogs have had both their hips and eyes tested. It is common knowledge that no breed is exempt from health problems. So why doesn’t the Spanish conduct health screening tests? I have heard every excuse and none of them mention the welfare of the breed. I believe that there are only three reasons why a breeder does not conduct health screening tests;
First is lack of information. This is the year 2005. If a breeder has not taken advantage of the wealth of information available on the internet, or in dog magazines or simply talking to your local vet they should not be breeding a litter in the first place.
Second is fear. Breeders are afraid to conduct health screening tests because one or both of their perros may have problems. They would be ethically bound to remove them from the gene pool.
Third is money. Breeders want to maximize their profit. The easiest way is not to spend the money.
We in America are just now starting to conduct health-screening tests. The vast majority of dogs being tested are the first generation of perros to be tested which simply means that no health screening tests have been conducted on any of their parents. We are starting a health database from scratch. It will take us years to identify health issues that should have already been diagnosed by the Spanish. There are no logical reasons why Spain still refuses to conduct the minimum screening tests! Please stop supporting unethical breeders.