Can I still breed from a dog with ENTROPIAN ?

I'd really appreciate any specialist comments about a certain condition.

First a little background info.

My daughter has a 2yr old Working Cocker Spaniel, Mattie, who was diagnosed with Entropian at 8 weeks.

Mattie's a beautiful looking full pedigree who is highly trained, and my daughter has been told by a number of people that if she ever bred from the dog, they'd like a pup.
Up until now that's not happened, because of the condition.

However, she is now having second thoughts. She's not bothered by what she could earn from a pup, quite the opposite. She's concerned that by not having a litter, Mattie may suffer from amongst other things, cancer. On the other hand to get her speyed could result in the dog gaining weight and change her coat quite a lot.

So, what are the chances of a litter of pups also having Entropian ? My daughter is not irresponsible but wants the best for her dog. She's chatted to the breeders of Mattie and it seems that this has been a one off, (these breeders have a very good reputation) as other litters have not been diagnosed with the condition.

Thanks for any constructive comments.

Blanco

As having Entropian is an inherited disorder, so she probably should not be bred, as there's a high chance her pups would inherit the condition. Getting her spayed would be best to prevent cancer, and she would not necessarily gain weight, as long as she keeps up her normal level of activity.

Dogs with this condition should definitely NOT be bred, as it can be passed on to the pups. She should be spayed to avoid other serious health issues that can crop up if she is not. As far as the weight gain - this doesn't have to happen if the dog is on a good diet and is exercised on a regular basis. Every female dog I've ever had - both purebred and mutt - has been spayed and went on to live a long life without being overweight...the Lhasa Apso was 16 and my current Pomeranian will soon be 17 (God willing).

I would make sure that your daughter's pup gets the condition surgically corrected if it already hasn't been, since this can be quite uncomfortable for the pup.

Good luck.

I am not understanding one part of this. Don't the breeders she got Mattie from have some sort of Spay/Neuter contract? They surely would not approve of this breeding...I do not think many reputable breeders do.

I am sure Mattie is a beautiful dog, but if she has ANY sort of health problem she should not be bred. She would need to be health-tested even if she WERE healthy and the fact that she has Entropian, one should not even think about breeding her. I am not expert on the condition, but even though cases vary depending on severity, I still do not encourage it. It could be a recessive gene, but still not worth the risk.

I am glad you are asking questions and you are concerned, though. I am glad your daughter doesn't want to be irresponsible either. I encourage you to spay her. She will NOT gain weight if given the right amount of activity.

Thanks to both of you.
Having seen Mattie suffer and knowing the huge sums of money that my daughter has paid out for operations, I'm very much against the idea of her having a litter.
Comments like yours help but I guess she'll end up going for advice from a couple of vets, who will no doubt convince her to do the right thing - which I know she will.

Thanks again.

Blanco

Entropian is a problem for many breeds. I have seen it in Labs, Hounds, Boston Terriers, and Cocker Spaniels.
Doesn't necessarily mean they were bred wrong or whatever. But, Cocker Spaniels have bad eyes usually as they are pretty droopy. I wouldn't breed her. There are so many homeless Cocker Spaniels in shelters and rescues. I would get her spayed. It doesn't mean she will get a bad coat or gain weight. You still will exercise her the same and feed her the same. Pyometra is a huge problem in young intact females, so you have that to worry about too and it's fatal. If she packs on the pounds, well up the exercise and cut back the food. Just because she has a good pedigree also isn't a reason to breed her. :)

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She's concerned that by not having a litter, Mattie may suffer from amongst other things, cancer.

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How would not having a litter cause cancer? Does you daughter know the risks of breeding her and how easily the dog could die from complications especially if she doesn't know what shes doing?

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On the other hand to get her speyed could result in the dog gaining weight and change her coat quite a lot.

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These are myths, if you feed your dog the right amount and she gets the right exercise nothing will change.
I think thats just a excuse made up by lazy owners.

If the dog has any issues that could be passed onto the puppies she should not be bred and spayed asap before a "accidental" litter happens.

Buttercup123,

If she doesn't get spayed, she could suffer from pyometra. That will put the dog and any babies she'd have at great risk of dying.


I'm surprized the breeder didn't have mandatory spay/neuter in the contract. But then again, people who THINK they're breeders really don't CARE. All their interested in is making a quick buck. Sad.

DON'T BUY WHILE SHELTER DOGS DIE!!!

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Originally Posted by Blanco

On the other hand to get her speyed could result in the dog gaining weight and change her coat quite a lot.



Blanco

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My Layla is spayed and nearly 6 1/2 years old. She is a perfect weight. My Jakey is neutered and almost 5 and is a perfect weight. Both of their coats are shiney and beautiful.
I watched my beloved RB Mandy die from Pyometra. (she is my avatar pic)She was not spayed due to a heart condition and most likely would have not lived much longer but what a horrible way to go.:(

I would spay the pup, for sure. My dog, a Tibetan Terrier, is 2 1/2 years old, spayed at 9 months, and has not gained any weight. She is not interested in food (her food anyway) and stays active. She goes to the groomer about every six weeks and her fur is fine. Spay, please so that a health condition does not get passed down to her pups.


Thanks for asking for our opinions.


Sas

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Originally Posted by moosmom

Buttercup123,

If she doesn't get spayed, she could suffer from pyometra. That will put the dog and any babies she'd have at great risk of dying.


I'm surprized the breeder didn't have mandatory spay/neuter in the contract. But then again, people who THINK they're breeders really don't CARE. All their interested in is making a quick buck. Sad.

DON'T BUY WHILE SHELTER DOGS DIE!!!

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Ok? I never said for her not to get the dog spayed, quite opposite really so not sure why your trying to educate me on pyo or call me out other then to start something...
There is no problem with people buying from a breeder though, not everyone wants a dog from a shelter and have specific wants from a dog.

Gosh, I hope your daughter will get her dog spayed. The world is full of dogs and cats that are killed every day for (arguably) lack of space. These are pure bred dogs and cats, mutts, and everything in between.

I never understand the myth that somehow buying from a breeder (backyard or not) somehow gets you this "perfect" selection of a pet whereas adopting one from either a shelter or breed specific rescue gets you something you never would have expected from a breed. Adopting a fully matured pet gives you about 98% more information on how the dog or cat is and will be then does adopting a 6 week old puppy or kitten.

Give me 30 days and I can find you your "perfect" animal- from a shelter or a rescue. I have seen it all. Of course, the very obscure breeds not so much, but generally, that is NOT what typical people like us are looking for. And, we are not the people that breeders of this specific breed are selling to.

No one knows what their pet will or won't be like. How many times have we read or heard, "it was a beloved family pet, raised from 6 weeks...". ALL animals can act like, well, animals. Even those that come from the breeder. Ugh.