The canine population can be just as susceptible to health issues as the human population. And, as with humans, some of these health issues are genetic. The Wheaten Terrier is no exception. Mandatory health testing is one way SCWTCA sets the bar high for its member breeders. The club requires its members to abide by a strict Code of Ethics wherein member breeders are required to complete all health testing on their breeding stock. The results of this health testing should be found online at SCWT Database. While it is not possible to avoid all genetic disease, the SCWTCA breeder greatly reduces the risk of these diseases to the puppy through these tests. By choosing a SCWTCA breeder you gain a partner for the life of your puppy. Choose carefully, ask the right questions and refer to the online SCWT Database or ask the breeder directly for health testing results.
Required Health Testing for breeding the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
| Hip Certification | Eye Certification | PLN Variant Gene Test | Biochemical Profile (Chem Screen) – CBC, Complete Urinalysis and Urine Protein Creatinine Ratio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who to test | Both sire and dam | Both sire and dam | Both sire and dam | Both sire and dam |
| Testing frequency |
Prior to first breeding. |
Prior to first breeding, |
Prior to first breeding |
Prior to first breeding, then annually. Please review the SCWTCA Health Testing Protocols |
|
Results that may reduce risks for puppies |
OFA score of excellent, good, or fair for both sire and dam. Refer to Additional OFA Information and about the PennHIP option |
Normal or Normal with Breeder Options rating for both sire and dam |
At least one parent clear (Normal, non-carrier status) Refer to the Combination Charts for Ideal Matings |
Lab values within normal limits. Normal UPC limits are 0.0 to 0.2 |
|
Testing facilities |
X-rays performed by a licensed veterinarian |
Board certified ophthalmologist |
Genetic lab |
Veterinary lab |
| Testing instructions |
X-rays submitted by the veterinarian to OFA for review and grading |
Paperwork from ophthamologist must be submitted by the owner to OFA |
Cheek swab submitted to the genetic lab OR blood sample/semen taken by veterinarian shipped to PennGen. Free swabs available through the Endowment. |
Fast prior to testing. Do not withhold water. |
| Submitting results |
OFA publishes quarterly reports that are uploaded to scwtdb.org OR submit directly to comments@scwtdb.org |
OFA publishes quarterly reports that are uploaded directly to the database or submit to comments@scwtdb.org |
Submit to OFA or directly to comments@scwtdb.org |
On file with owners of sire and dam |
RECOMMENDED Health Screening for Breeding the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: When the recommended screenings are done on the parents, the puppies produced have a decreased risk of health issues. These tests are recommended by the SCWTCA for breeding stock.
| Microphthalmia Syndrome (MO) | Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) | Paroxysmal Dyskinesia (PxD) | Biochemical Profile (Chem Screen), Brucellosis, CBC, Urinalysis, UPC/MA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who to test | Either or both sire and dam | Either or both sire and dam | Either or both sire and dam | Both sire and dam |
| Testing frequency | Prior to first breeding | Prior to first breeding | Prior to first breeding | Brucellosis prior to every breeding
Blood and urine test of dogs with no PLN test or with PLN markers should be repeated more often, perhaps 2 or 3 times annually after 2- 3 years of age.* |
| Results that may reduce risks for puppies | At least one parent clear (Normal, non- carrier status) Refer to Microphthalmia Chart for ideal matings |
At least one parent clear (Normal, non- carrier status) Refer to combination charts for ideal matings Refer to Additional information about DM research |
At least one parent clear (Normal, non-carrier status)
Refer to combination charts for ideal matings |
Lab values within normal limits. Normal UPC values are 0.0 to 0.2. |
| Testing facilities | Genetic lab | Genetic lab | Genetic lab | Veterinary lab |
| Testing instructions | Cheek swabs acquired from lab and then submitted to the same lab. If testing a litter by blood obtain swabs from the Endowment. | Cheek swabs acquired from lab and then submitted to the same lab. If testing a litter by blood obtain swabs from the Endowment. | Cheek swabs acquired from lab and then submitted to the same lab OR blood sample/semen taken by veterinarian shipped to PennGen. | Fast prior to testing. Do not withhold water. |
| Submitting results to the SCWT Database | Submit directly to comments@scwtdb.org | Submit directly to comments@scwtdb.org | Submit directly to comments@scwtdb.org | On file with owners of sire and dam |
Optional Screening for Breeding the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier:
| Patella Luxation | Elbow Dysplasia | |
|---|---|---|
| Who to test | Either or both sire and dam | Either or both sire and dam |
| Testing frequency | Prior to first breeding | Prior to first breeding |
| Results that may reduce risks for puppies | Do not breed affected dogs. Refer to OFA Guidelines | Do not breed affected dogs. Refer to OFA Guidelines |
| Testing facilities | Physical examination by a licensed veterinarian | X-rays submitted by a licensed veterinarian |
| Testing instructions | OFA form filled out by veterinarian submitted to OFA | X-rays submitted by veterinarian to OFA for review and grading |
| Submitting results | OFA publishes quarterly reports that are uploaded to the SCWT Database or submit directly to comments@scwtdb.org | OFA publishes quarterly reports that are uploaded to the SCWT Database or submit directly to comments@scwtdb.org |
PennHIP radiographs may be performed by a PennHIP trained veterinarian as an alternative to OFA x-rays. A higher distraction index indicates greater hip laxity and an increased risk of developing hip dysplasia with osteoarthritis. There is a low risk of developing hip dysplasia with osteoarthritis when the distraction index is close to 0.30. The Mean Distraction Index for Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers is 0.54, but this can be a fluctuating number depending on how many Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers have been tested using PennHip at any given time. Learn More
Clear By Parentage (CBP): If both parents have been DNA tested “clear” for a disease and the lab testing results have been submitted to the SCWT Health Database, then offspring may be considered Clear by Parentage. Clear by Parentage applies for 1 generation only per the SCWTCA Code of Ethics. The SCWT Database does not use the term “clear by parentage;” instead, dogs whose sire and dam have no markers are referred to as having 0 markers by parentage.
CAER Eye Certification with Breeder Options – A CAER eye certification result may be Normal with Breeder Options. The dog’s eyes are certified, however you may want to refer to the OFA website for current guidance on ideal matings for that specific eye condition. See link above.
*Annual Blood CBC, Chemical Profile, Urinalysis and Urine Protein Creatinine Ratio/Micro-Albumin Test – Testing definitions: CBC – Complete Blood Count. Chemical Profile – Chemical Profile which includes Albumin, Cholesterol, Amylase, Lipase, na/K ratio, Creatinine, and Total Protein. UPC – Urine Protein Creatinine Ratio or MA- Micro-Albumin Ratio. Recommended testing is as presented by Dr. Meryl Littman VMD DACVIM, May 2022, Webinar.
Degenerative Myelopathy Testing Research: Research on DM and the genetic testing for DM markers is ongoing. Some of the research is focused on the risk factors that cause the presentation of the disease and its association with the genetic DM markers as tested. See link above.
CHIC Certification (Canine Health Information Center): A dog achieves a CHIC Certification if it has been screened for every disease required by the parent club for that breed and the results are publicly available in the OFA Database. For the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, the SCWTCA requires hip certification, PLN variant gene test, and CAER eye certification.
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