Health of the Lancashire Heeler
The Lancashire Heeler is a healthy breed
However, there are two hereditary eye defects that occur within this breed.
PLL Primaire Lensluxatie
This is an eye defect that has to do with the lens of the eye and is very harmful and the dog will become blind in the foreseeable future. The eye defect can reveal itself from the age of 3 years.
Op d.d. 22 oktober 2009 is er in Engeland een gen ontdekt dat deze afwijking veroorzaakt. Tevens is er een DNA test ontwikkeld om vast te stellen of de hond dit gen heeft. Door DNA onderzoek is dus nu vast te stellen of de hond drager is van een afwijkend gen waardoor PLL zich kan ontwikkelen.
Collie Eye Anomaly
Dit is een afwijking die minder voorkomt maar wel erfelijk is. Er is er een DNA test ontwikkeld om vast te stellen of de hond dit gen heeft.
NB
Never buy a puppy of which both parents have not been tested and make sure that the puppy is also tested.
This happens at the age of 6 weeks.
It is best to mate with two free parents, but, given the genetic population, matings are also done with a free parent and a carrier, but from this combination it is not possible to say in advance that all puppies are free. This will have to be investigated by DNA research.
Patella Luxation
This is when the kneecap spontaneously pops out of the V-shaped notch of the knee. This can be diagnosed at the age of 18 months.