Recommended Health Testing

Generally, the Dutch Shepherd doesn’t have as many health concerns as other breeds. Like other breeds that primarily herd, there is some concern for anesthesia sensitivity which should be mentioned to your vet before any type of procedure that involves general anesthesia. Overall, the Dutch Shepherd has not changed much over the years which contributes to it’s impressive over all health but we still recommend health testing. We recommend testing:

• OFA Hips and Elbows

• Degenerative myelopathy

• OFA Spine (For the short-haired)

• Thyroid yearly for breeding (For the long-haired)

• Gonio dysplasia (For the rough-haired)

• Spongy Cerebellar Degeneration 1 & 2 (For the short-haired)

• Von Willebrand Type I (For the long-haired)