When Spanish Water Dogs were first introduced into the UK the partnership was unaware of any health issues within the breed and nothing had occurred in Spain to indicate any problems with regard the health. All breeding stock were eye tested annually for PRA/LL prior to being mated and a small number of dogs were hip-scored in the early days but there was no indication at that time of any problem, either reflected in the test results or in the general health of the dogs. Annual eye testing continued as a precautionary measure.
EYES
It was in December 2002 that a case of Primary Glaucoma (Goniodysgenesis) was diagnosed in one dog at the age of 9 years (Azor- see picture below). A study was immediately set up by an eye specialist to investigate further. What emerged from this early testing was that a significant number of dogs presented with a marked predisposition to glaucoma. Having been alerted to the problem within the breed, the information was shared openly and several other owners followed suit also submitting their dogs for gonioscopy. Two other dogs have since been diagnosed with Primary Glaucoma, both at 9 years of age. One case was not confirmed by a specialist. There are many breeders working together and with the help of eye specialists it is hoped that the problem may be eradicated or at least there will be no further puppies bred that will go blind in their later years.
The breed has been placed on Schedule A (recognised as an inherited trait) of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme with the full approval of the Committee.
One of the glaucoma cases was also diagnosed with Lens Luxation but there are believed to be strong links with glaucoma.
The Club Health sub-committee is monitoring the results so they may eventually be looked at by a geneticist. What is emerging is the general surprise of the experts that more dogs have not shown signs of glaucoma even though they have very high scores.
HIPS
In Spring 2003, because of a recurring limp, one bitch was taken in for x-ray to investigate the possible cause of the problem. During the procedure an x-ray was also take of the hips to be submitted for hip-scoring. The investigation revealed an obvious problem within the area of the hips, particularly on one side and the diagnosis was hip dysplasia. The resultant hip-score was significantly high. Since this first case of hip dysplasia, two more have been identified within the breed. This prompted a number of owners to also have their dogs hip-scored and as part of the club's Code of Ethics it was highly recommended at that stage that all breeding stock should be tested prior to mating.
As concern amongst owners increased a proposal was put to the membership at the AGM 2005 that the Code of Ethics be amended to read that all breeding stock must be tested under the BVA/KC hip-scoring scheme prior to being bred from. This proposal was passed almost unanimously.
In general, owners of Spanish Water Dogs and the Spanish Water Dog Club now accept that hip dysplasia is a health problem within the breed. The Club feels that the way forward, in order to reduce the incidence of future cases and ultimately try to eliminate the problem altogether, testing of breeding stock, careful removal of affected dogs from the gene pool and careful assessing and choosing of potential breeding stock is needed for all future matings.