The Finnish Lapphund is generally a very healthy breed, with a common life span of 12-15 years, many living beyond this. Their ancestry, living and working in harsh and freezing cold conditions has ensured they have developed into a hardy working dog.
The PEVISA scheme in Finland requires all breeding stock to be hip scored and eye tested regularly for litters to be registered. In Australia, while not a requirement of registration, most breeders will also hip and elbow score and eye test their breeding Lapphunds.
There are two known conditions in Lappies, for which there is a DNA test is available for, both inherited as a simple autosomal recessive gene. These are the eye condition prcd-PRA (Progressive Cone Rod Degeneration type of Progressive Retinal Atrophy), and the very rare metabolic disorder Pompes (Glycogen Storage Disease type II). Most breeders will also have information about their breeding stock's genetic status for these conditions.
As a general rule, the incidence of problematic health conditions in the Finnish Lapphund breed is very low. However, it is important that this is kept the case and breeders are vigilant about health testing to ensure this.
In summary, if you are looking at purchasing a puppy, the information you should be able to request evidence from your breeder, for both parents of your puppy, is:
They should also be able to provide you with some information on the health results in the lines of your puppy generally. Please do not feel uncomfortable asking for this information, as any responsible breeder will have no hesitation in providing you with this if you are purchasing a puppy from them, and will respect and appreciate the research and care you are taking.
It is always important to remember that dogs are biological organisms, and that even with the best testing available, and the vigilance of breeders, things can go wrong. For this reason, if you are purchasing a puppy, being prepared for expensive vet bills (either with pet insurance or available savings) is essential. Accidents, and illnesses, can happen, and as there is no public health system for our animal companions, and certainly no PBS, treatment can be very expensive.
More detailed information on the main conditions to be aware of are below:
The PEVISA scheme in Finland requires all breeding stock to be hip scored and eye tested regularly for litters to be registered. In Australia, while not a requirement of registration, most breeders will also hip and elbow score and eye test their breeding Lapphunds.
There are two known conditions in Lappies, for which there is a DNA test is available for, both inherited as a simple autosomal recessive gene. These are the eye condition prcd-PRA (Progressive Cone Rod Degeneration type of Progressive Retinal Atrophy), and the very rare metabolic disorder Pompes (Glycogen Storage Disease type II). Most breeders will also have information about their breeding stock's genetic status for these conditions.
As a general rule, the incidence of problematic health conditions in the Finnish Lapphund breed is very low. However, it is important that this is kept the case and breeders are vigilant about health testing to ensure this.
In summary, if you are looking at purchasing a puppy, the information you should be able to request evidence from your breeder, for both parents of your puppy, is:
- Hip Score results
- Elbow Score results (although sometimes this may not be available foroverseas dogs)
- An ACES Eye Certificate dated in the 12 months prior to the mating
- prcd-PRA genetic status information (either through direct result or parentage status)
- Pompes genetic status information (either through direct result or parentage status)
They should also be able to provide you with some information on the health results in the lines of your puppy generally. Please do not feel uncomfortable asking for this information, as any responsible breeder will have no hesitation in providing you with this if you are purchasing a puppy from them, and will respect and appreciate the research and care you are taking.
It is always important to remember that dogs are biological organisms, and that even with the best testing available, and the vigilance of breeders, things can go wrong. For this reason, if you are purchasing a puppy, being prepared for expensive vet bills (either with pet insurance or available savings) is essential. Accidents, and illnesses, can happen, and as there is no public health system for our animal companions, and certainly no PBS, treatment can be very expensive.
More detailed information on the main conditions to be aware of are below:
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is an abnormal formation of the hip joint. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint. There should be a nice, neat and snug fit between the head of the femur (the “ball”) and the acetabulum (the “socket”). Where this fit is loose, the subsequent wear and tear through normal use can result in a range of attendant problems, including the development of arthritis.
There can be numerous causes for this “loose-fitting”, and there are infinite levels of dysplasia, ranging from very slight variations from “perfect” to complete joint dislocation. These levels are measured via x-rays of the joint and a score provided, and most breeders will have their breeding stock “hip scored” prior to breeding.
In Australia, the CHEDS (Canine Hips and Elbow Dysplasia Scheme) scoring scheme is based on the methodology used in the UK and is managed by the ANKC. There are nine criteria measured from the x-rays, and each is given a score from 0 to 6 (with the exception of one of the criteria which is given a score from 0 to 5). The lower the number the better. For each hip these scores are added together to give the total left or right hip score. These two are often added together to describe the total hip score. Hence, a score of 2/3 will often be described as 5. The very best hip score would be a 0/0. The very worst a 53/53.
The breed average in Australia is currently unavailable, due to the recent transfer of the CHEDS scheme to ANKC management, however it is anticipated to be somewhere around about a 12. For breeds actively working to improve average hips scores, the rule of thumb is that only dogs with a score at or below average should be bred from (which in practice should mean each hip being at or below half of the average).
However, as Lapphunds are a lighter, smaller framed dog, with rarely any clinical presentation of hip dysplasia, strategies tend to be on maintaining rather than improving health. Therefore, scores tend to be utilised as a guide rather than a strict rule, with breeding decisions often depending on the other qualities of the Lapphund in question. As a consequence, a breeder may decide to breed a dog with a slightly higher than average score, usually they will be bred to a dog with a much better score. Results amongst the relatives of those dogs may also factor into their decision making.
Hip scoring in Finland is different. In the pedigrees of Finnish Lapphunds where many of the ancestors are dogs in Finland, you will see the hip score expressed as a letter. The range in Finland is from A to E, with an A hip being the best.
Where the dog has a different score in each hip (eg B/C), they will be registered with the higher score (in this case a C). Breeders in Finland will generally only breed Finnish Lapphunds with an A to C hip. However, you may find the very occasional dog with a D hip bred from, almost always to a dog with A hips.
While it is generally recognized that there is a strong genetic predisposition to hip dysplasia (hence the removal of “bad” hips from breeding lines), the genetics are not understood. Bad (and good) surprises frequently occur, and almost every breeder has a story of a breeding with many generations of good hips behind it that ended in puppies with hip dysplasia. Whether this is a result of a genetic “throw-back” within the lines somewhere, a combination of two lines that just didn’t work, or one of those freaks of nature is a matter of sheer speculation.
Factors other than genetics, such an environment, also play a significant part, and it is important that diet and exercise is appropriate for a growing pup, in order to avoid malformation and injury.
With hip dysplasia there are no guarantees. Breeders work as hard as they can, but occasionally there are negative results. That being said, for the main part Finnish Lapphunds have healthy hips with few problems. In addition, even those Finnish Lapphunds with less than good results, seem to have relatively few mobility problems, even late in age.
There can be numerous causes for this “loose-fitting”, and there are infinite levels of dysplasia, ranging from very slight variations from “perfect” to complete joint dislocation. These levels are measured via x-rays of the joint and a score provided, and most breeders will have their breeding stock “hip scored” prior to breeding.
In Australia, the CHEDS (Canine Hips and Elbow Dysplasia Scheme) scoring scheme is based on the methodology used in the UK and is managed by the ANKC. There are nine criteria measured from the x-rays, and each is given a score from 0 to 6 (with the exception of one of the criteria which is given a score from 0 to 5). The lower the number the better. For each hip these scores are added together to give the total left or right hip score. These two are often added together to describe the total hip score. Hence, a score of 2/3 will often be described as 5. The very best hip score would be a 0/0. The very worst a 53/53.
The breed average in Australia is currently unavailable, due to the recent transfer of the CHEDS scheme to ANKC management, however it is anticipated to be somewhere around about a 12. For breeds actively working to improve average hips scores, the rule of thumb is that only dogs with a score at or below average should be bred from (which in practice should mean each hip being at or below half of the average).
However, as Lapphunds are a lighter, smaller framed dog, with rarely any clinical presentation of hip dysplasia, strategies tend to be on maintaining rather than improving health. Therefore, scores tend to be utilised as a guide rather than a strict rule, with breeding decisions often depending on the other qualities of the Lapphund in question. As a consequence, a breeder may decide to breed a dog with a slightly higher than average score, usually they will be bred to a dog with a much better score. Results amongst the relatives of those dogs may also factor into their decision making.
Hip scoring in Finland is different. In the pedigrees of Finnish Lapphunds where many of the ancestors are dogs in Finland, you will see the hip score expressed as a letter. The range in Finland is from A to E, with an A hip being the best.
Where the dog has a different score in each hip (eg B/C), they will be registered with the higher score (in this case a C). Breeders in Finland will generally only breed Finnish Lapphunds with an A to C hip. However, you may find the very occasional dog with a D hip bred from, almost always to a dog with A hips.
While it is generally recognized that there is a strong genetic predisposition to hip dysplasia (hence the removal of “bad” hips from breeding lines), the genetics are not understood. Bad (and good) surprises frequently occur, and almost every breeder has a story of a breeding with many generations of good hips behind it that ended in puppies with hip dysplasia. Whether this is a result of a genetic “throw-back” within the lines somewhere, a combination of two lines that just didn’t work, or one of those freaks of nature is a matter of sheer speculation.
Factors other than genetics, such an environment, also play a significant part, and it is important that diet and exercise is appropriate for a growing pup, in order to avoid malformation and injury.
With hip dysplasia there are no guarantees. Breeders work as hard as they can, but occasionally there are negative results. That being said, for the main part Finnish Lapphunds have healthy hips with few problems. In addition, even those Finnish Lapphunds with less than good results, seem to have relatively few mobility problems, even late in age.
Elbow Dysplasia
This term refers to a range of conditions which involve the malformation of the elbow joint which can occur alone or in combination. These include ununited anconeal process (UAP), fragmented medial coronoid process (FCP) and osteochondrosis of the medial condyle of the humerus (OCD). Degenerative joint disease of the elbow is likely to develop from these malformations. Like with hip dysplasia, both genetic and environmental factors play a part.
Scoring for elbow dysplasia provides a number for each elbow from 0 to 3. A 0 score is provided where there is no sign of arthrosis. A score of 1 indicates minimal arthrosis, 2 indicates moderate arthrosis and 3 severe arthrosis.
There is little evidence of an elbow dysplasia problem in the Finnish Lapphund breed, although the occasional case does arise. Traditionally there has not been much elbow scoring of Finnish Lapphunds, this is happening more and more, particularly in Australia, the USA and in Finland. In the majority of cases the score is 0/0. However some 0/1, 1/0 or 1/1 scores are seen, and only very rarely a worse result.
Scoring for elbow dysplasia provides a number for each elbow from 0 to 3. A 0 score is provided where there is no sign of arthrosis. A score of 1 indicates minimal arthrosis, 2 indicates moderate arthrosis and 3 severe arthrosis.
There is little evidence of an elbow dysplasia problem in the Finnish Lapphund breed, although the occasional case does arise. Traditionally there has not been much elbow scoring of Finnish Lapphunds, this is happening more and more, particularly in Australia, the USA and in Finland. In the majority of cases the score is 0/0. However some 0/1, 1/0 or 1/1 scores are seen, and only very rarely a worse result.
prcd-PRA
As the name would suggest this is a disease where the retinal tissue of the eye gradually dies over time, leading to blindness in the dog. It is not the most prevalent eye condition in the Finnish Lapphund breed, but often the most topical, and as such, the one that probably requires the greater explanation.
There are various forms of PRA but the one that has been found to definitely occur in Finnish Lapphunds is the Progressive Cone Rod Degeneration type (prcd-PRA) common in many breeds.
The retinal tissue contains cells called photoreceptors which absorb and convert light into electric nerve signals which are then passed by the optic nerve to the brain. There are two types of photoreceptors, rods and cones. The rods are for vision in dim light (night vision) and the cones for vision in bright light (day and colour vision).
In prcd-PRA, the rods are usually affected first, and the cones in later stages of the disease. For this reason, the early symptoms in dogs are a loss of night vision, which will gradually extend to a loss of day vision. Age of onset varies amongst different dog breeds, but in the Finnish Lapphund it is quite late, early clinical diagnosis often not being made until 5-8 years of age.
prcd-PRA is inherited through a simple autosomal recessive gene, which means that the disease gene must be inherited from both parents for the disease to occur. This makes it very simple to control when it is known which dogs are carriers of the gene mutation and which dogs are affected by the gene mutation. in the past, however, there was no way of determining this without a clinical diagnosis of the disease. By this time the affected dogs and/or their parents or offspring who would be carriers, may have been bred from many times.
In December 2005 a DNA test was made available by Optigen in the USA for genetic determination of prcd-PRA status in Finnish Lapphunds. In Australia, this test has been licensed to Genetic Technologies Ltd. This test was a fantastic outcome for the breed. It enabled breeders to ensure they do not breed carriers together, and therefore not produce dogs affected by prcd-PRA. But also, for those breeders who chose, it enabled breeding from previously unavailable blood lines, confidently enabling carriers of prcd-PRA to be bred from safely as long as they were only bred with Lapphunds clear of the gene mutation. This ensured the protection of valuable canine bloodlines into the future and the diversity of the gene pool, whilst preventing the disease in future generations. Avoiding prcd-PRA affected dogs was able to be done without sacrificing other important attributes of our breeding pool, such as genetic diversity, other health status, and quality of structure and type.
There are three possible statuses for each Lapphund tested:
Normal/Clear – These Lapphunds have the genotype homozygous normal. They have no diseased gene, with both copies of the gene normal. They will not develop prcd-PRA and cannot pass on the disease to offspring.
Carrier – These Lapphunds have the genotype heterozygous. They have one disease gene and one normal gene. Although they will never develop prcd-PRA themselves, they have an equal probability of passing on either their normal gene or their diseased gene to offspring.
Affected – also known as an Affected Carrier, these Lapphunds have the genotype homozygous affected. Both copies of the gene are abnormal. There is a very high likelihood that they will develop prcd-PRA in older age, and they can only pass on an abnormal gene to their offspring
Given that a Lapphund has to inherit TWO abnormal genes in order to develop prcd-PRA, it can be seen that as long as one parent is Normal/Clear, the offspring are safe from developing prcd-PRA (although dependent on the status of the other parent, they may be carriers of the gene themselves).
The following breeding combinations show the probability of status based on the status of the parents.
There are various forms of PRA but the one that has been found to definitely occur in Finnish Lapphunds is the Progressive Cone Rod Degeneration type (prcd-PRA) common in many breeds.
The retinal tissue contains cells called photoreceptors which absorb and convert light into electric nerve signals which are then passed by the optic nerve to the brain. There are two types of photoreceptors, rods and cones. The rods are for vision in dim light (night vision) and the cones for vision in bright light (day and colour vision).
In prcd-PRA, the rods are usually affected first, and the cones in later stages of the disease. For this reason, the early symptoms in dogs are a loss of night vision, which will gradually extend to a loss of day vision. Age of onset varies amongst different dog breeds, but in the Finnish Lapphund it is quite late, early clinical diagnosis often not being made until 5-8 years of age.
prcd-PRA is inherited through a simple autosomal recessive gene, which means that the disease gene must be inherited from both parents for the disease to occur. This makes it very simple to control when it is known which dogs are carriers of the gene mutation and which dogs are affected by the gene mutation. in the past, however, there was no way of determining this without a clinical diagnosis of the disease. By this time the affected dogs and/or their parents or offspring who would be carriers, may have been bred from many times.
In December 2005 a DNA test was made available by Optigen in the USA for genetic determination of prcd-PRA status in Finnish Lapphunds. In Australia, this test has been licensed to Genetic Technologies Ltd. This test was a fantastic outcome for the breed. It enabled breeders to ensure they do not breed carriers together, and therefore not produce dogs affected by prcd-PRA. But also, for those breeders who chose, it enabled breeding from previously unavailable blood lines, confidently enabling carriers of prcd-PRA to be bred from safely as long as they were only bred with Lapphunds clear of the gene mutation. This ensured the protection of valuable canine bloodlines into the future and the diversity of the gene pool, whilst preventing the disease in future generations. Avoiding prcd-PRA affected dogs was able to be done without sacrificing other important attributes of our breeding pool, such as genetic diversity, other health status, and quality of structure and type.
There are three possible statuses for each Lapphund tested:
Normal/Clear – These Lapphunds have the genotype homozygous normal. They have no diseased gene, with both copies of the gene normal. They will not develop prcd-PRA and cannot pass on the disease to offspring.
Carrier – These Lapphunds have the genotype heterozygous. They have one disease gene and one normal gene. Although they will never develop prcd-PRA themselves, they have an equal probability of passing on either their normal gene or their diseased gene to offspring.
Affected – also known as an Affected Carrier, these Lapphunds have the genotype homozygous affected. Both copies of the gene are abnormal. There is a very high likelihood that they will develop prcd-PRA in older age, and they can only pass on an abnormal gene to their offspring
Given that a Lapphund has to inherit TWO abnormal genes in order to develop prcd-PRA, it can be seen that as long as one parent is Normal/Clear, the offspring are safe from developing prcd-PRA (although dependent on the status of the other parent, they may be carriers of the gene themselves).
The following breeding combinations show the probability of status based on the status of the parents.
Sometimes confusion can be created when people anticipate that these probabilities mean that in any given litter between a clear parent and a carrier parent 50% of pups will be clear and 50% will be a carrier. This is not the case. What these do give is the probability of inheritance for each individual pup. While this means that over large sample sizes (for eg over 1000) you will generally see a 50/50 split, like with tossing a coin, it doesn't always work that way within small sample sizes (like a few coin tosses, or a single or even a few litters). I have known of a litter between a clear parent and a carrier parent where all pups born were clear, and have also known of similar litters where the majority of pups were carriers. Think of each individual pup being born from such a combination as a coin toss - sometimes heads, sometimes tails, with a 50/50 chance each time.
If you are purchasing a Finnish Lapphund pup, your breeder should be able to provide you with information about the prcd-PRA status of both parents (either through test results, or known status due to the test results of your pup’s grandparents), as well as the probability of your puppy being clear of the gene mutation or a carrier of it. While in Europe, some breeders breed Lapphunds of "unknown" status to those of clear status, that does not tend to be the practice here, with breeders tending to prefer to know the status of both parents.
Unless you are purchasing the puppy for breeding purposes, it will make no difference whatsoever whether the puppy is clear or a carrier, the only status you need to be concerned with is affected, because these dogs will develop prcd-PRA late in life. A carrier pup will never develop the prcd-PRA condition, and a litter between a clear parent and a carrier parent cannot produce a pup with the prcd-PRA condition.
If you are purchasing a pup for future breeding purposes, and where one of the parents is a carrier, you will need to find out the status of the pup you are purchasing (and your breeder should be able to provide you with this information, in some States by law). If the pup you wish to purchase is a carrier, this means that you will be limited in future breeding partners for your puppy to those with clear status. Like with any decision in the choice of future breeding stock, you will always need to weigh up carefully your personal preferences as to lines, type, structure, and the various health results, as well as your own breeding program aims.
There is some chance that the Finnish Lapphund breed may be susceptible to other forms of PRA, either genetic forms with no established test available, or caused by environmental factors (some in-utero virus infections can cause PRA in pups for example). However, evidence is very minimal with only a handful of "mystery" results to date worldwide. However, this is one reason why it is essential that regular annual eye testing of breeding stock continues.
If you are purchasing a Finnish Lapphund pup, your breeder should be able to provide you with information about the prcd-PRA status of both parents (either through test results, or known status due to the test results of your pup’s grandparents), as well as the probability of your puppy being clear of the gene mutation or a carrier of it. While in Europe, some breeders breed Lapphunds of "unknown" status to those of clear status, that does not tend to be the practice here, with breeders tending to prefer to know the status of both parents.
Unless you are purchasing the puppy for breeding purposes, it will make no difference whatsoever whether the puppy is clear or a carrier, the only status you need to be concerned with is affected, because these dogs will develop prcd-PRA late in life. A carrier pup will never develop the prcd-PRA condition, and a litter between a clear parent and a carrier parent cannot produce a pup with the prcd-PRA condition.
If you are purchasing a pup for future breeding purposes, and where one of the parents is a carrier, you will need to find out the status of the pup you are purchasing (and your breeder should be able to provide you with this information, in some States by law). If the pup you wish to purchase is a carrier, this means that you will be limited in future breeding partners for your puppy to those with clear status. Like with any decision in the choice of future breeding stock, you will always need to weigh up carefully your personal preferences as to lines, type, structure, and the various health results, as well as your own breeding program aims.
There is some chance that the Finnish Lapphund breed may be susceptible to other forms of PRA, either genetic forms with no established test available, or caused by environmental factors (some in-utero virus infections can cause PRA in pups for example). However, evidence is very minimal with only a handful of "mystery" results to date worldwide. However, this is one reason why it is essential that regular annual eye testing of breeding stock continues.
Cataracts
There are numerous forms of cataracts with a variety of causes which can be found in many dog breeds. Some of these have been determined to be hereditary, but unfortunately the genetic inheritance of these in the Finnish Lapphund breed is not currently known or understood. However, breeding stock should be eye-checked regularly.
The lens of an eye is usually clear and focuses light on to the retina. A cataract is an opacity in the lens, usually white, which scatters the light. The level of impact on vision can vary according to the size (varying from a pinhead to the total lens) and location of the cataract.
Hereditary cataracts in the Finnish Lapphund generally appear sometime after the age of 1 year and can be late onset. These are generally posterior polar cataracts or cortical cataracts. They are not usually progressive.
More rare cases of juvenile cataracts have been known to be present in the breed. These usually start to appear prior to 1 year of age and are quite aggressively degenerative, with full blindness resulting in a very short time frame. In this instance, surgery is the only course of action.
There is no genetic DNA test that can clear any Finnish Lapphund of being either susceptible to developing hereditary cataracts or being a carrier of them, although there is some research underway with hopes that one day such a test will be available. While some genetic tests are available for forms of cataracts in other breeds, these have not been found to be genetically the same as the forms found in Finnish Lapphunds. The only way to control this condition currently is through regular eye testing of breeding dogs.
The lens of an eye is usually clear and focuses light on to the retina. A cataract is an opacity in the lens, usually white, which scatters the light. The level of impact on vision can vary according to the size (varying from a pinhead to the total lens) and location of the cataract.
Hereditary cataracts in the Finnish Lapphund generally appear sometime after the age of 1 year and can be late onset. These are generally posterior polar cataracts or cortical cataracts. They are not usually progressive.
More rare cases of juvenile cataracts have been known to be present in the breed. These usually start to appear prior to 1 year of age and are quite aggressively degenerative, with full blindness resulting in a very short time frame. In this instance, surgery is the only course of action.
There is no genetic DNA test that can clear any Finnish Lapphund of being either susceptible to developing hereditary cataracts or being a carrier of them, although there is some research underway with hopes that one day such a test will be available. While some genetic tests are available for forms of cataracts in other breeds, these have not been found to be genetically the same as the forms found in Finnish Lapphunds. The only way to control this condition currently is through regular eye testing of breeding dogs.
Retinal Dysplasia
There are three forms of retinal dysplasia, which are all forms of abnormal development of the eye's retina, present at birth. While these conditions can be hereditary, they can also be the result of a viral infection or some other event prior to birth.
In order of seriousness, these are multifocal retinal dysplasia (MRD), generalised retinal dysplasia (GRD), and total retinal dyplasia (TRD). Breeding recommendations in Finland allow for breeding with Lapphunds diagnosed with MRD (as long as bred to a mate with no such diagnosis or family history), but neither of the two more serious forms
There is some suggestions that Finnish Lapphunds may also experience a form of Canine Multifocal Retinopathy (CMR) - a condition that can have some similarity in clinical diagnostic appearance to MRD in Lapponian Herders. However, there is not yet clear genetic evidence of this.
There is no genetic DNA test that can clear any Finnish Lapphund of either having or being a carrier of retinal dysplasia. The only way to control this condition is through an eye test of breeding dogs.
In order of seriousness, these are multifocal retinal dysplasia (MRD), generalised retinal dysplasia (GRD), and total retinal dyplasia (TRD). Breeding recommendations in Finland allow for breeding with Lapphunds diagnosed with MRD (as long as bred to a mate with no such diagnosis or family history), but neither of the two more serious forms
There is some suggestions that Finnish Lapphunds may also experience a form of Canine Multifocal Retinopathy (CMR) - a condition that can have some similarity in clinical diagnostic appearance to MRD in Lapponian Herders. However, there is not yet clear genetic evidence of this.
There is no genetic DNA test that can clear any Finnish Lapphund of either having or being a carrier of retinal dysplasia. The only way to control this condition is through an eye test of breeding dogs.
PHTVL & PHPV
These two conditions, Persistent Hyperplastic Tunica Vasculosa Lentis (PHTVL) and Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous (PHPV), are congenital eye anomalies which refer to the persistence of the embryonic vascular system of the eye lens. When the eye is developing, an arteria which forms a vascular net behind and surrounding the lens, grows to feed the eye structure during its development. In normal development, this structure will atrophy prior to birth, but in these conditions the regression of this structure is impaired.
There are various levels of these conditions which can be diagnosed, from Grade 1 to Grade 6. There will generally be no impairment to vision with Grade 1, and breeding recommendations in Finland allow for Lapphunds with this grade to be bred from (if bred to a dog with no such diagnosis). Higher grades of the condition are worse, and may lead eventually to the formation of cataracts over time.
There is no genetic DNA test that can clear any Finnish Lapphund of either having or being a carrier of PHTVL or PHPV. The only way to control these conditions is through an eye test of breeding dogs.
There are various levels of these conditions which can be diagnosed, from Grade 1 to Grade 6. There will generally be no impairment to vision with Grade 1, and breeding recommendations in Finland allow for Lapphunds with this grade to be bred from (if bred to a dog with no such diagnosis). Higher grades of the condition are worse, and may lead eventually to the formation of cataracts over time.
There is no genetic DNA test that can clear any Finnish Lapphund of either having or being a carrier of PHTVL or PHPV. The only way to control these conditions is through an eye test of breeding dogs.
Persistent Pupillary Membrane
During foetal development, a membrane covers the pupil of the developing eye. While it generally completely dissolves, there are occasions when small strands can persist, and these dogs are said to have Persistent Pupillary Membrane or PPMs.
Where these remnant strands connect to parts of the eye determines the seriousness of the condition and potential longer term impacts on vision. An iris to iris strand is considered insignificant both for eye sight and breeding purposes. And iris to lens strand is more serious and an iris to cornea strand more serious again. Dogs with either of these last two forms of PPMs are not recommended to be bred from.
There is no genetic DNA test that can clear any Finnish Lapphund of either having or being a carrier of PPMs. The only way to control these conditions is through an eye test of breeding dogs.
Where these remnant strands connect to parts of the eye determines the seriousness of the condition and potential longer term impacts on vision. An iris to iris strand is considered insignificant both for eye sight and breeding purposes. And iris to lens strand is more serious and an iris to cornea strand more serious again. Dogs with either of these last two forms of PPMs are not recommended to be bred from.
There is no genetic DNA test that can clear any Finnish Lapphund of either having or being a carrier of PPMs. The only way to control these conditions is through an eye test of breeding dogs.
Pompes Disease
Pompes disease, more officially known as Glycogen Storage Disease type II, involves the deficiency in the activity of the enzymes responsible for metabolizing glycogen. This results in an accumulation of glycogen in the body, which results in abnormal glucose levels in tissues such as cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle.
Symptoms usually show by 7 months of age and include poor growth, vomiting, regurgitation, progressive muscle weakness, exercise intolerance and heart problems. There is no treatment, and affected dogs have usually died between 18 and 24 months of age.
This disease, although very rare, is found in the various Lapponian breeds, and has been found to have an autosomal recessive inheritance, as per prcd-PRA above.
Symptoms usually show by 7 months of age and include poor growth, vomiting, regurgitation, progressive muscle weakness, exercise intolerance and heart problems. There is no treatment, and affected dogs have usually died between 18 and 24 months of age.
This disease, although very rare, is found in the various Lapponian breeds, and has been found to have an autosomal recessive inheritance, as per prcd-PRA above.
Other Conditions and Diseases
There are a variety of other conditions that breeders, owners and vets need to be aware of that, although rare, have been seen in Finnish Lapphunds overseas, and in individual cases in Australia. These are not generally specific to our breed, but diseases and conditions found in many dog breeds generally.
Epilepsy is one of these, and although there have been studies in Finland to attempt to find genetic markers for this condition, these studies have not yet been successful.
There are also several auto-immune conditions that have been diagnosed in the occasional Lapphund in the past. The two key ones to be aware of are Addisons Disease, and Lupus.
Allergies have also been known to occur, both dietary and environmental.
Epilepsy is one of these, and although there have been studies in Finland to attempt to find genetic markers for this condition, these studies have not yet been successful.
There are also several auto-immune conditions that have been diagnosed in the occasional Lapphund in the past. The two key ones to be aware of are Addisons Disease, and Lupus.
Allergies have also been known to occur, both dietary and environmental.
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