DOG BREEDS (B)

BELGIAN TERVUREN

Origin: Belgium
Group: Herding
Weight: 55 to 75 LBS
Life expecancy: 12-14 years
It is a medium size dog, therefore it requires a big space to live, it's an obedient dog and it loves to excercise.
It's somewhat a shedding, depending on the season. It is recognized by it's thick double coat, with a big black mask, a small patch on the chest, generally mahogany with varying degrees of black coat, may also be sable or grey.
Tervurens are highly energetic, intelligent dogs that require a job to keep them occupied, if they are not kept sufficiently busy they can become hyperactive or destructive.
Theese dogs are usually loyal and form strong bonds with their family, leading some to be shy around strangers. They are good watchdogs, being very observant and attentive to the slightest change in their enviroment. Some can be nervous, depending on breeding and early experiences, so care must be taken to adequately socialize Tervuren puppies to a wide variety of people and situations.

They are also known as:
Belgian shepherd Tervuren, Chien de Berger Belge, Tervuren, Belgian Shepherd Dog Tervuren.

Now let's review the list of the most common health issues of the Belgian Tervuren, is not too long, however we must advice the owners that some of theese issues are very dangerous and need proper care.
-Hypothyroidism
-Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD)
-Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
-Allergies (mostly skin pyoderma, but can also be food allergies)
-Elbow Dysplasia
-Seizures/Epilepsy (occurs in a 17% of the pure breed samples)
-Hemangiosarcoma
-Persistent Pupillary Membranes (PPM)
-Catarac
-Pannus
-Vitiligo (this one is rare, however it has been reported)

We as Veterinarians must recommend the patient's owners to bring the patient for regular check ups, maybe an X-ray every 2-3 years just to check on ocurrencies for CHD, which can also be avoided by having a good dietary management, because obesity can also increase the incidents of CHD or even Hypothyroidism, so if we have a good management on the patients diet, we can avoid theese major problems. Also as the patient ages we can recommend to complement the patient's diet with vitamins or suplements like calcium and glucosmine and even hyaluronic acid to protect the patients joints and bones.

Another breed that you probably might have heard of this:

BERGER BLANC SUISSE

Origin: Switzerland
Group: Herding
Weight: 55 - 88 LBS / 25-40 kg
Life Expectancy: 11-14 years
This is a big dog, or at least I think so since I'm short...is a well balanced and muscular dog. It has become one of the most versatile working dogs serving mankind, due to its high intelligence and sense of loyalty.

It has all the physical standards as the German Shepherd, except for the color, since this dog is recognized for its pure white color, however, it can be light cream and light biscuit tan.
This dog is super alert, super intelligent, attentive and the best part...super loyal! It's also very friendly with kids, it can be easily trained, and easily adjusted to other dogs and/or pets (yes, even cats!). It is suited for all kinds of sports activities, since it requires a lot of exercise and challenges. It's super confident, very playful, in other words, an excellent companion!
Despite all of this awesomenes, the berger blanc suisse has a tinny thing.. it sheds heavily, like a lot, however, they are easy to groom.

This dog is also known as:
White Swiss Shepherd, Snowy Shepherd, White Suisse Shepherd Dog.

They sure have Health issues, such as:
-Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD)
-Elbow Dysplasia
-Dental diseases (loss of some teeth)
-Bloating/Stomach Torsion
-Megaesophagus
-Degenerative Joint Disease (including Osteochondritis)
-Malabsorbtion Syndrome
-Skin Allergies
-Lens Luxation
-Von Willebrande Disease (*VWD: bleeding disorder)

As for the Belgian Tervuren, we also should recomend owner to bring the patient for regular check ups, and have a good weight control, but also, for the Berger Blanc Suisse, we must recomend the owner to care for the dog not to be jumping around, because jumping, or being in activities that involve a total movement of the patients abdomen can cause the stomach torsion, and as we know, it is very dangerous for the patient, with only a few hours to treat, and very frequently it ends in a very delicate surgery.

And speaking of bergers...

BERGER PICARD

Origin: France

Group: Herding
Weight: 50-70 Lbs / 23-31 kg
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
This dog is thought to be the oldest of the french sheepdogs. This dogs are easy to care and mellow, yet mischievous, temperamnt have started the breed back on the road to recovery. Their coat is wheatherproof and harsh and crisp to the touch, the colors fall into two colors, fawn and gray with a range of shad variations.
The Berger Picard's attributes include a lively, intelligent personality and a sensitive and assertive disoisition that responds quickly to obedience training, they are known for having astubborn streak and being reserved towards strangers. They are also energetic and hard working, alert, loyal and sweet-tempered with children. They have a protective nature, which makes them good guard dogs. However, they are not excessive barkers. Some Picards are notoriously picky eaters, and it may be difficult to decide on a diet that yiu and the dog agree on.
Berger Picards need exercise, otherwise boredom will give away to destructive doggie behavior and rowdy play.

They can also be known as: Picardy Shepherd, Bacardi Shepherd, Berger de Picardi.

Their most common health issues are:
-Progresive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
-Retinal Dysplasia
-Cataracs
-Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD)
-Hemangiosarcoma
-Lymphosarcoma
-Canine Multifocal Retinopathy (CMR)

If the Berger Picard is not kept active will be in high risk of develop obesity which can lead to to joint issues, digestive issues, and heart issues. Also we must remember that this breed is sensitive to anesthesia, therefore we as veterinarians must be super careful with the type of medication and the dosage.

And the last breed for today's post:

BORZOI

Origin: Russia
Group: Sight Hounds
Weight: 60-105 Lbs / 27-48 kg
Life Expectancy: 10-13 years
The Borzoi is a breed of domestic dog descended from dogs brought to Russia from central Asian countries. It is similar in shape to a Greyhound, and it's also a member of the sighthound family. Borzoi dogs can come in almost any color or a combination of colors.
Their soft undercoat thickens in winter or cold climates, but is shed in hot weather to prevent overheating. 
Borzois are active outdoors, quiet indoors, they are intelligent, sensitive, and reserved around strangers. generally they tend to be good with kids, but precaution should be taken, as they can react to the tease. They can be affectionate with their family, but stubborn and independent. they have a high prey drive and will seize and kill small animals due to its hunting nature.

Also called: Russian Wolfhound, Russkaya Psovaya Borzaya, Psovoi, Psowata Barsaya.

And of course as we have noticed, no breed is zero disease, so let's see now Borzoi's most common health issues:
-Cancer (Lymphosarcoma, osteosarcoma)
-Bloat
-Cardiomyopathy
-Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia
-Hypothyroidism (up to 17% of the Borzoi population)
-Catarcs
-Progresive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

-Retinal Dysplasia
-Osteochondritis
-Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy
-Wobbler's Syndrom (compression of the spinal cord and/or nerve roots)
-Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD)
-Allergies (Pyoderma)
-Elbow Hygroma
-Epilepsy (not so common but has been reported)
-Von Willebrande Disease (*VWD: bleeding disorder)

As mentioned before, we must have the owner bring our patients for regular check ups, as soon we can detect and diagnose theese type of diseases, the easier will be for us to treat them.

Hope you might've enjoyed this post, and perhaps if you are searching for a dog, this could be helpful in any way, cheers!


MVZ Carolina Pruneda