Health Testing 

 

The Pharaoh Hound is an extremely healthy breed overall. In the hope of controlling the genetic diseases that already affect the breed and prevent any new ones from emerging, the Pharaoh Hound Club of America participates in a program operated by the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC). It requires that breeders test all their breeding dogs for knee, hip, eye and thyroid diseases that occur in the breed.   This program started in 2007 for Pharaoh Hounds.

If you are searching for a breeder, insist on seeing the written documentation from:

     (1) the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) or the University of Pennsylvania (PennHip) that your puppy's parents' hips are free of dysplasia, a genetic hip deformity that requires costly surgery to repair and can lead to arthritis later in life. The incidence of hip dysplasia while very low in Pharaoh hounds, is on the rise.  Pharaoh hounds tested between 2006-2010 have an incidence of 4.6% dysplasia.    http://www.offa.org/stats_hip.html  Pharaoh hounds are ranked #158 of #168 breeds tested.  The minimum age for testing is 2 years of age.

     (2) OFA certification that the parents are free of knee (patella) luxation. The incidence of patellar luxation in pharaoh hounds is 1.4%.  http://www.offa.org/stats_pl.html  Pharaoh hounds are ranked #82 of #108 breeds tested.

     (3) OFA certification that the parents are free of eye diseases.  Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) documentation about the health of the eyes is also an alternative to OFA certification.

     (4) OFA certification that the parents are free of thyroid diseases. The incidence of autoimmune thyroiditis is 8.8%, ranking Pharaoh hounds #17 of #99 breeds tested.   http://www.offa.org/stats_thy.html  

The general good health of the Pharaoh Hound is a very strong motivation for "responsible breeders" to do health clearances on their breeding stock and on what they produce.  The general good health of the Pharaoh Hound should not be used as an excuse to avoid health testing.

 Potential puppy buyers can do their part by supporting only those breeders in their health testing efforts by seeking out their dogs. A responsible breeder will be able to provide the testing results of the breeding pair as well as the health clearances of the ancestors of the breeding pair.  A responsible breeder should  also be able to discuss the general health issues of our breed.  This should help puppy buyers make an informed decision about health risks to their new pharaoh hound

My goal is to health test all CharmedWons Pharaohs used in my breeding program as well as (at minimum) 50% of the pups produced.  This should help me identify any knee, hip, eye or thyroid health issues.  To see my CharmedWons data and statistics, go here.