Bouvier des Flandres Health Testing
by Cheryl Calm

Conscientious Bouvier breeders consider not only temperament and structure carefully, but also check their Bouviers for genetically transmitted health problems prior to breeding, and do not breed them if a genetic defect is present. It is common practice to have healthy dogs certified free of genetic defects with organizations that exist solely for the purpose of canine health certification. Responsible breeders will readily furnish photocopies of such certifications for both parents, and will not be offended if a buyer inquires about the health status of both parents. A potential buyer should be wary if the breeder seems defensive or can not produce copies of health certifications. Buyers will be asked by conscientious breeders (by contract) to health check the offspring at appropriate ages so that:

1) The buyer will know if their Bouvier has a health problem needing treatment or therapy. 
2) The breeder will know if the parents of that Bouvier have produced a genetically transmitted problem so that informed, responsible decisions can be made about the breeding future of the sire, dam, and/or siblings. 

There are six health certifications presently available to Bouviers and other breeds from two certifying agencies:

1. Canine Eye Registration Foundation - Maintains a registry of purebred dogs found to be free of genetic eye defects by board-certified Veterinary Ophthalmologists. If a CERF number is issued for a dog, it means that dog has been found to be free of all genetic eye defects at the time of the examination. There is no minimum age for eye certification. CERF registration is good for one year. Re-examination is required to maintain a valid CERF registration and to assure that genetic eye disease has not developed. Many eye diseases will be evident by five years of age. Eye disorders are not a common problem in Bouviers, but cataracts, glaucoma, entropion, ectropion, and progressive retinal atrophy have been reported. Three-quarters of breeders and owners surveyed felt Bouviers affected by genetic eye problems should be removed from breeding programs.

2. Orthopedic Foundation for Animals - Is an organization initially created to accept hip x-rays for review by selected radiologists with certification issued for dogs found to have normal hip joint configuration. In recent years, OFA has added registries for elbows, congenital heart disease, patellar luxation, and thyroid.
Hip Registry - Dogs must be a minimum of 24 months of age for certification. A preliminary certification and rating are issued for dogs under 24 months. X-rays submitted to OFA are reviewed by three Veterinary Radiologists who separately evaluate the x-ray and find either:
a). The hip joints are normal and certified free of hip dysplasia. If certification is issued, hip joint conformation is rated as “excellent”, “good”, or “fair”. All three ratings indicate normal hip joints free of dysplasia.
b). The hips joint(s) are dysplastic (showing deformity of either the hip socket, ball of the femur or both) in which case no certification is issued. 
Hip dysplasia is known to afflict Bouviers, and is genetically transmitted. Many responsible dog clubs recommend hip certification prior to breeding. Over 90% of those surveyed believe dysplastic Bouviers should not be bred.
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Elbow Registry - Dogs must be a minimum of 24 months old for certification. X-rays submitted to OFA are evaluated for the purpose of identifying normal elbow joints and certification of those dogs. OFA Radiologists reviewing the x-rays find either:
a. The elbow joint is “normal”, and certification is issued.
b. Elbow dysplasia is evident, characterized by degeneration or malformation of the elbow joint.
c. The elbow joint exhibits signs of injury (such as fracture lines, chipped bone etc.) 
Elbow dysplasia is known to occur in Bouviers, and is genetically transmitted. Nearly one-third of Bouvier breeders and owners surveyed were aware of Bouviers with elbow dysplasia with more than three-quarters believing a Bouvier affected by elbow dysplasia should not be bred.

Congenital Heart Disease Registry - Dogs must be a minimum of 12 months old for certification. A provisional certificate is issued to dogs under 12 months. OFA began the Cardiac registry in 1996, so all OFA heart certifications will be recent. Unlike the hip and elbow registries, OFA does no evaluation of individual dogs. OFA issues certificates and keeps the registry of dogs found clear of heart defect by licensed Veterinarians. OFA does distinguish the level of expertise by the examining Vet. The Cardiac certification number will end with a letter. “G” for a general practitioner as the examining Veterinarian, “S” for a heart specialist, or “C” for a board certified cardiologist. Heart problems falling into five general categories are known to affect Bouviers. Over 90% of breeders and owners surveyed believe Bouviers with a heart defect should not be bred. 

Thyroid Registry - OFA recommends yearly testing of thyroid levels until four years of age, then again at six and eight years. OFA began the thyroid registry in 1996, so all OFA thyroid certifications will be recent. OFA does no measurement of thyroid levels in blood samples. OFA has designated specific labs with the ability to run immune antibody tests which OFA believes are indicative of auto immune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s disease) believed to be the genetic form of hypothyroidism. Hashimoto’s disease normally appears at 2-5 years. There is controversy in the Veterinary community about thyroid certification due to the instability of thyroid levels and on-going research to determine accurate ranges for normal thyroid levels in the widely varying canine population. OFA literature also states “a negative finding does not guarantee a dog does not have Hashimoto’s disease”. Until more is definitively known about thyroid levels and testing for genetically determined factors, you may find some breeders testing their dogs for normal thyroid levels without sending blood to the two currently approved labs for the controversial certification. Dogs with truly low thyroid levels often are infertile. Over 60% per cent of Bouvier breeders and owners surveyed are aware of Bouviers with hypothyroidism. Less than one-third of the respondents feel hypothyroid Bouviers should not be bred.

Patellar Subluxation Registry - Dogs must be a minimum of 12 months of age for certification. “Periodic” re-examination is recommended. Patellar Subluxation affects the hind limbs of dogs, resulting in the dog carrying (putting no weight on) an affected limb. It commonly affects both rear legs, with most dogs showing lameness by 5 to 6 months of age. Patellar subluxation is uncommon in Bouviers.