At Anza pugs we do rigorous health and genetic testing to make sure our pugs are healthy before we consider breeding. We test for hip health, patella health, Necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME)/Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE) , Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKDef) and Degenerative Myelopathy (MP), and brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). We test through U.C Davis and Breeder Veterinary Services (http://showdogmed.com/) that uses OFA standards.
Patellas:
According to Jason Carr, "The 'patella' is the kneecap for both people and pets. It’s attached to the shinbone at one end and to powerful thigh muscles at the other end. It sits at the front of the stifle joint, which is the knee joint in dogs and cats. When the knee functions normally, the patella rides smoothly along a groove in the femur. This groove is there to keep the patella where it belongs, which will allow for increased joint flexibility and provide leverage to the knee. A luxating patella generally occurs when the groove of the femur is too shallow, causing the patella to slide out of place and move too far to one side or the other. This can lead to a weakening of the ligaments which hold the patella in place. The condition is more common in toy dogs, but it could affect cats or larger dogs as well. Occasionally it’s caused by trauma but most of the time it’s a genetic birth defect known as 'polygenic trait.'”
Carr, Jason. Pet Health Network. Retrieved April 6th 2022 from https://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-diseases-conditions-a-z/luxating-patella-dogs
NME/PDE:
According to UC Davis's website: NME (Pug Dog Encephalitis) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that is usually progressive and fatal. Symptoms of NME include seizures, depression, ataxia, abnormal gait, and blindness.
Test Results
Susceptibility to Pug Dog Encephalitis
N/N: No copies of the NME associated markers (homozygous for normal). These dogs have a low risk of developing NME.
N/S: 1 copy of the NME associated markers (heterozygous for susceptibility). These dogs have a low risk of developing NME.
S/S: 2 copies of the NME susceptibility associated markers. These dogs are 12.75 times more likely to develop NME in their lifetime.
UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. (2022). Susceptibility to Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE). Retrieved April 2022 from https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/pde-susceptibility
PKDef:
According to UC Davis's website PKDef "observable signs in affected dogs may include lack of energy, low exercise tolerance and fatigue in dogs that appear otherwise fit. Clinically, dogs with PKDef present with a severe anemia, increased iron levels, increased bone density, may have an enlarged spleen and liver as well as fibrous connective tissue replacement of bone marrow cells. Bone marrow and liver failure typically occur by 5 years of age.
Mode of Inheritance: Autosomal recessive"
Alleles: N = Normal, K = Pyruvate kinase deficiency
Breeds appropriate for testing: Beagle, Cairn Terrier, Pug, West Highland White Terrier
Explanation of Results:
Dogs with N/N genotype will not have pyruvate kinase deficiency and cannot transmit this variant to their offspring.
Dogs with N/K genotype are not expected to show signs of pyruvate kinase deficiency but have half the normal level of pyruvate kinase activity, and are carriers. They may transmit this variant to 50% of their offspring. Mating’s between two carriers are predicted to produce 25% pyruvate kinase deficiency-affected puppies.
Dogs with K/K genotype will have pyruvate kinase deficiency.
UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Genetics Laboratory.(2022). Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKDef). Retrieved April 2022 from https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/pkdef-dog
For more information regarding genetic and structural testing and standards check out the websites below:
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/health-testing-for-a-stronger-breed/
https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/pde-susceptibility
https://www.akc.org/breeder-programs/akc-bred-with-heart-program/
BOAS
Brachycephalic obstruction airway syndrome testing is very new to the United States. Some of our pugs were able to participate and provide feedback in the first OFA testing ever in the United States. We are close with the PDCA health committee and look forward to having more BOAS testing available. Click here for more information regarding BOAS.
“A few years ago, the University of Cambridge and The Kennel Club in the U.K. developed the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme as a way to objectively measure the severity of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome in dogs and help make a clinical diagnosis. The intent of the scheme is also to improve understanding of the condition, increase awareness, and ultimately reduce the incidence of BOAS.” Lederhouse, Coco. AVMA. Health Screening Test Rolled Out For Brachycephalic dog Breeds (2023). Retrieved April 2024 from https://www.avma.org/news/health-screening-test-rolled-out-brachycephalic-dog-breeds#:~:text=The%20RFGS%20uses%20a%20scale,and%20symptomatic%20of%20the%20condition.
We have earned our AKC Bred with H.E.A.R.T certification that needs to be renewed yearly. This shows that we continuously meet the standards and requirements of the program, and we are up to date with the latest information available to breeders regarding health and education. AKC acknowledges that our puppies were bred with the H.E.A.R.T standard by marking it on their individual registration paperwork! Click here for more information regarding the program and requirements.
