Health: What to expect from a reputable breeder
Health --- What to Expect
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a healthy, sturdy and well-muscled dog that, given proper care and nourishment, will live a long, healthy life. The average Wheaten Terrier lifespan is 12 to 15 years with some living up to 17 years.
As a prospective owner you should know that SCWTCA breeders go the extra mile to produce the healthiest puppies possible.
Veterinary research has identified two conditions in Wheatens: protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) and protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). This does not mean that all Wheaten Terriers will have these diseases. Now there are genetic tests that reduce the risk of diseases. The following chart should help you in your search for your Wheaten Terrier puppy.
We are always here to help you. Email us at health@scwtca.org with any further questions or ask the breeder from our Breeders Directory for information.
The SCWTCA Endowment Inc. maintains a SCWT Health and Pedigree Database which is open to the public. You can access this database and view the sire and dam of a potential puppy plus view their health clearances. Visit the Database at the link below and send them any questions that you have.
Remember, even reputable breeders have different breeding practices…but these are the minimum they should all be doing. And they should all be able to answer your questions, not just tell you how healthy their dogs are.
Remember our breeders are here to help you not just sell you a puppy.
So here are some things to look for:
| Reputable Breeder | Back Yard Breeder | |
|---|---|---|
| Hip Clearances | The SCWTCA Code of Ethics requires breeders to certify hips of the parents PRIOR to breeding. This is done via Xrays submitted to OFA or the PennHIP exam. OFA results can be found on the SCWT Database. The breeder can give you a copy of PennHIP results. | May not have had hips X-rayed. They may say that in previous generations, the hips were normal and there has never been a problem so they don’t Xray hips. REMEMBER: you can always confirm this via the SCWT Database or at the OFA website |
| Eye Clearances | The SCWTCA Code of Ethics requires breeders to have parents’ eyes examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist every 2 years. Sometimes these results are sent to OFA and can be found on the SCWT Database. If not, the breeder can give you a copy of the eye exam results. | May not have had parents’ eyes examined. They may say that in previous generations, the eyes were normal and there has never been a problem so they don’t have eyes examined. REMEMBER: you can always confirm this via the SCWT Database or at the OFA website |
| DNA-PLN | The SCWTCA Code of Ethics requires breeders to DNA test parents prior to the first breeding for PLN-associated variant alleles; there are 3 exceptions as noted in the COE. While some breeders list results on the SCWT Database, they should ALL be able to give you copies of the test results. |
May not have done this testing. May say their dogs have never had PLN so there’s no need.
REMEMBER: they may not know what has happened to puppies they have produced.
|
| DNA-Other | While not required, many breeders do additional DNA testing. They should give you copies of the results and be able to explain them to you.
IMPORTANT: there is NO DNA test for PLE.
|
May not know about any other DNA testing.
REMEMBER: they may not know what has happened to puppies they have produced.
|
| Annual Testing | The SCWTCA Code of Ethics requires breeders to do Annual Blood Testing & Urinalysis on the parents. This is not a guarantee offspring won’t get sick but insures healthy dogs are being bred. |
May not test or even know about annual testing. They may say their dogs have always been healthy so there is no need to do this.
REMEMBER: they may not know what has happened to puppies they have produced.
|
| Health Guarantees | There is no requirement in the Code of Ethics to offer a health guarantee except that the Wheaten is “in good health, of sound temperament and in good condition at the time of delivery and…free of internal parasites and are protected against disease according to current veterinary practice” A breeder may offer a guarantee or not and be able to explain their practices. |
May or may not offer a guarantee. Be sure to read it carefully as some guarantees are not necessarily worth it. Think about:
Do you have to use their vet? Does their vet have to approve care? |
| Health Histories | A breeder should be able to answer any question you have about the health of the parents. They should be able to discuss with you health issues they are aware of in close relatives (grandparents, siblings, etc.) | May only tell you how healthy their dogs are.
REMEMBER: they may not know what has happened to puppies they have produced.
|
A quality puppy is worth the wait!
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