Juvenile-Onset Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy (JLPP) in Rottweilers
A disease that accours in young Rottweilers, JLPP affects neuroligical signaling that travels from the brain through the nerves.
Why is it important to test breeding dogs?
It is important to test for the disease as it is always fatal to affected puppies. There is no cure. Symptoms can start to manifest at 12 weeks of age but may take longer. Most affected puppies die before 1 year of age. This means the breeder can not tell without DNA test if a puppy is effected. Before buying a Rottweiler puppy make sure that the parents has been tested JLPP Clear.
How is it inherited?
JLPP is recessive which means that both parents have to be carriers of the JLPP gene in order to produce and affected puppy. If one parent is a carrier then the breeding will produce both carrier and clear puppies (but not affected). If both parents are clear then breeding will produce only clear puppies.
All our dogs are JLPP tested
Hip Dysplasia
All my dogs are x-rayed for hip dysplasia prior to breeding, and only dogs with good hips are used in my breeding program. Genetics is vitally important in the Rottweiler breed, hip and elbow dysplasia is majorly avoidable by breeding only dogs that are free from HD and ED.
Genetics can however only do so much for a dog, and you as the owner must ensure that the correct nutrition is given to your puppy. Over feeding and rapid growth will put your pup at risk of developing Hip and Elbow dysplasia. Keep your puppy lean.!!! It is recommended to feed a veterinarian formulated puppy food up to the age of 2 years.
Hip dysplasia is a condition where the hip joint is not formed properly, where the ball for the femur (the thigh bone) does not fit properly into the socket on the pelvis. Hip dysplasia begins within the first few months of life whilst the bones are forming. Although there are genetic factors that determine whether or not your dog will have Hip dysplasia, nutrition is a very important factor, imbalance of calcium and phosphorous, two very important minerals for bone growth, as well as to high protein content and growing too fast, can be severely detrimental to bone development in dogs who are already predisposed by genetics to developing HD.
To much exercise for a growing puppy can also cause trauma to the joints as they are developing, long jogs and hard surfaces are definitely not good for joint development but short bouts of low impact exercise, especially swimming can help muscle development and decrease the risk for HD.
Unfortunately it is impossible to guarantee hips and elbows, we do however guarantee that the parents have Certified Clear hips and were approved for breeding by the Kennel Union.
LEMP (NAPEPLD)
Leukoencephalomyelopathy LEMP (NAPEPLD) is a juvenile-onset neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system described in the Rottweiler. Affected dogs present with ataxia and loss of conscious proprioception, recessive inheritance requires two copies of the mutant allele to develop the disease. It is therefor important to test breeding dogs to ensure healty offspring. Please note a clear can breed to a carrier, but two carriers may not be bred.
Understanding Growth Plates
Growth plates are soft areas located at the ends of the long bones in puppies and young dogs. Their job is to be filled with cells that allow your puppy's bones to become longer and dense; the way these cells work is by dividing themselves until they fill the growth plate. Once your puppy fully matures (usually around 18 months or longer for giant dog breeds) growth plates close and become a stable part of the bone.
Too much exercise can be risky for a puppy's growth plates, if an injury occurs these cells might slow down their growth or simply stop growing. So while 3 of your dog's legs are growing at a normal, healthy rate, the remaining leg might not fully do so causing future issues such as uneven pressure and a predisposition to arthritis.
The five-minute rule seeks to prevent damage on a puppy's growth plates while still providing your pup with an amount of exercise that is suitable for their age.