Health Testing

At Shannavarius Whippets, the health and well-being of the breed are our top priorities. We take pride in our ethical breeding practices and strive to produce fundamentally healthy puppies with excellent genetics. To achieve this, all our breeding dogs undergo extensive health testing and receive routine health checks.

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1. Genetic Inherited Disease Tests (DNA Testing)

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Our foremost goal is to reduce the risk of genetic conditions that could impact our puppies' long-term health. To achieve this, we conduct over 200 genetic tests for inherited diseases in our breeding dogs, helping us identify potential hereditary health concerns and make informed decisions for our breeding program.

In Whippets, we test specifically for Phosphofructokinase Deficiency, Muscular Hypertrophy (Double Muscling), and Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA). 

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2. Cardiac Screening

 

All our dogs undergo extensive cardiac screening by a certified cardiologist. 

Unlike other "heart tests", where auscultation is the only form of examination performed, we conduct a full echocardiogram with Doppler. 

Possible cardiac disease, like myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), congestive heart failure (CHF) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), are the most common conditions in whippets.​

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3. Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebrae (LTV) Scoring

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We are the first and only Whippet breeders in Ireland to screen for LTV, with official scoring from the Finnish Kennel Club. Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebrae (LTV) is a congenital spinal anomaly where the last lumbar vertebra fuses with the sacrum, often causing instability, pain, and increasing the risk of degenerative issues like Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) due to altered spinal biomechanics, leading to weakness, incontinence, or tail pain.

We aim to provide the best possible, pain-free quality of life for our dogs, ensuring that spinal issues in whippets are minimised for future generations, including our puppies.

Read more about LTV in whippets HERE, with the latest update available HERE. 

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4. BVA Eye Testing

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Recognising the importance of vision for a dog's overall well-being, we prioritise eye health in our breeding program. We conduct BVA Eye Tests on our dogs to screen for inherited eye conditions, ensuring that our puppies are free from hereditary eye diseases.

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With these thorough examinations, we aim to breed Whippets that are not only genetically clear of hereditary diseases but also live happy and healthy lives.

Our dedication to producing happy, healthy, and genetically clear puppies reflects our passion for the breed, as we believe that rigorous health testing and ethical breeding practices are vital for the well-being and longevity of these cherished companions.

 

Can your dog become ill or develop a condition in the future?

​As dogs are living, complex organisms, yes, there is always a possibility. However, by performing such extensive health testing, we believe we do all we can to reduce the likelihood of that occurring. 

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We are very transparent in relation to our dogs' health, and all results are published on The Whippet Archives. 

All documentation and health certificates are available for viewing upon request.