Health Information

There are many people out there breeding and selling dogs. Some because they are contributing to the breed with sound, typey, structurally correct, healthy stock, wanting to do their share in improving their breed, and others because they think there’s money in breeding. During your search for a healthy, happy, sound pet, please educate yourself on what health screening should be done to their breeding stock and why. The Havana Silk Dog Association of America (HSDAA) website is a great place to start. You can find it by going to www.havanasilkdog.org Don’t be afraid to ask different breeders questions about their Havana Silk Dogs, their breeding programs, why they breed etc. Breeders want to know about you as well. They want to know about your intensions, yourself, your family, your home, other pets, lifestyle etc., and more importantly, they want you to ask them questions as well. More than likely they have a puppy questionnaire. This is to be sure that they sell their puppy whom they’ve health-screened, cared for and loved for the last 10 weeks to the best possible person or family. They do this because they care about their puppies, and about their well being! A good breeder will be in your life for as long as you have their puppy. They should be there night and day to answer any questions you may have and to be there to mentor you whether you have one of their Havanese to show or as a pet, so don’t be put off by these sometimes lengthy questionnaires. They’re made with the best of intentions.

Now, some breeders do no health screening and some do quite a bit. As a minimum, there should be four tests done to their breeding stock to insure that they’re not passing off bad traits to their offspring. You can go to www.offa.org to view the results of all these tests. Just type in the dog’s AKC # or their AKC registered name.

1. Annual Cerf exams: A Cerf test looks for abnormalities in the eyes like cataracts. Once checked a reputable breeder will certify the results with OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals).

2. Patella Luxation: Checking patellas is to check the dog for slipped knee caps.

3. Elbow/Hip Dysplasia: At two years of age breeders will have their dogs hips checked for joint malformation, which occurs when the ball and socket are misaligned.

4. BAER Test: Hearing test to make sure they hear in both ears.

Chodrodysplasia: CD is a skeletal condition also called “dwarfism”, can be mild or moderate and some is not easily recognized. The growth

plates close prematurely, and sometimes unevenly. Some dogs may have

straight, short legs, others may be bowed and some may have one straight

leg and one bowed leg. Dwarfism is only one aspect of CD. Other aspects

may include cataracts, liver shunts and heart defects. To help us try to

find this gene, H.E.A.R.T. in association with Dr. Keith Murphy and team

at Texas A&M is currently supporting the research. It is not an

inexpensive endeavor, so any donation you can make to HEART would

be greatly appreciated. Help us help our dogs!