We Health Test!

It is our most important tool in breeding great dogs

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The German Pinscher has been accepted into the American Kennel Club's CHIC registry (Canine Health Information Center)

CHIC is a database where all of a dog's health certifications can be posted in one place and where all dogs with the required health testing for their breed can be tracked and monitored.   The German Pinscher Club of America requires a yearly eye exam, a hip evaluation and a DNA test for vonWillebrands disease in order to be certified as a CHIC dog.  In addition to the CHIC required testing, here at Oakwood we also test for Thyroid and Cardiac.

Since the German Pinscher's acceptance into CHIC, Oakwood owned and bred dogs are leading the way into the future.  Our foundation dogs were the first CHIC certified dogs and CHIC certifications are complete or pending on the rest of the family.  Our goal is to set our sights on all dogs being "CHIC registered".  Copies of actual certificates or  actual examinations are submitted to CHIC or verified by the other registries prior to a GP receiving a CHIC designation.  Only dogs owned, co-owned or bred by me are presented on these pages.  Individual dog pages may also list  health clearances.  Each dog's registry number, where available, is listed on the chart for ease in verifying  with CERF and OFA.  

Hypothyroidism is the most common disease in dogs.  The TgAA (Thyroglobulin Autoantibody) Test is currently the most accurate method for determining the hereditary form of hypothyroidism.  A positive TgAA test indicates a dog has or will develop hereditary hypothyroidism.  A symptom free dog can test positive on the TgAA up to two years before their thyroid levels fall low enough to require treatment.  The recommended testing protocol for breeding animals is a TgAA test at one year of age and a full thyroid (including TgAA) panel at ages 2, 4 and 6.  A TgAA positive dog (even if not yet symptomatic) should not be bred.  Testing protocol compliments of Michigan State University Endocrine Lab.

TgAA ranges / recommendations:

Negative	Inconclusive	Positive
The dog does not evidence hereditary hypothyroidism at the time of testing	retest in 6 months	The dog has or will develop hereditary hypothyroidism and should not be bred

VACCINATION REACTIONS

Vaccination reaction appears to be a breed specific issue in German Pinschers.  Based on a case review completed in Sweden by Minna Leppänen, DVM, (click here for full article) puppies are experiencing an allergic reaction to their vaccinations.  It has been suggested that tendency to have vaccination reactions is hereditary.  Controlled, scientific studies have not been completed.  Symptoms may be mild; lethargy, vomiting and lack of appetite or severe; seizures, collapse, pneumonia or death.  The treatment recommendation for vaccination reactions is oral hydrocortisone (prescription required in the US) or some other immunosupressive dose of corticosteriods.

Click here to see the list of our German Pinschers and their health clearances