SCGB urge all breeders of the three sizes of Schnauzer to follow best practice health testing guidance to ensure that future generations avoid, as far as possible, known inherited conditions.
Our Code of Ethics require members, when breeding, to undertake the following health testing:
DCM DNA Test (Dilated Cardiomyopathy)
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an autosomal-recessive condition. An ‘affected’ inherits two copies of an abnormal gene (one from its mother and one from its father – hence both parents should be DNA-tested or, because their parents were tested – be 'hereditarily clear'.
The typical age of onset of first clinical signs varies from 1 to 3 years.
DNA Test - DCM
Hip Dysplasia Screening
Both parents should be screened for hip dysplasia, regardless of whether they have signs or not. Some dogs may seem fit and healthy, but they may have physical changes, which can only be seen on X-ray, that are linked to hip dysplasia.
Dogs with lower scores are less likely to produce affected puppies or pass on poor genes to their puppies.
BVA/RKC Hip Dysplasia
Congenital Hereditary Cataract (CHC)
Puppies must be eye-screened for CHC, by a BVA/KC Eye Scheme panellist, between 5 and 8 weeks and before they leave the breeder. A copy of the LS certificate should be provided to the new owner.
BVA/RKC/ISDS Litter Eye Screening
Hereditary Cataract (HC)
Can only be diagnosed by a BVA Eye panellist, from about 6 months onward, and sometimes even later than aged 2 years.
Generalised Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
May not appear until 12 months upwards but may be detected at any point between 6 months and 6 years.
To summarise: all Miniature Schnauzers should be eye-tested before being bred from, and then annually, whilst used in any breeding programme, irrespective of age.
BVA/RKC/ISDS Eye Scheme
Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC)
Is an autosomal-recessive condition. An 'affected' dog dog would inherit two copies of an abnormal gene (one from its mother and one from its father – hence both parents should be DNA-tested or, because their parents were tested – be 'hereditarily clear'.
In Miniature Schnauzers, if affected, symptoms typically appear between ten months and three years old.
DNA Test - MAC
Multi Focal Retinal Dysplasia (MRD)
Puppies must be litter-screened for MRD by a BVA/KC Eye Scheme panellist, between 5 and 8 weeks and before they leave the breeder. A copy of the LS certificate should be provided to the new owner.
BVA/RKC/ISDS Litter Eye Screening
Hereditary Cataract (HC)
Can only be diagnosed by a BVA Eye panellist, from about 6 months onward, and sometimes even later than aged 2 years.
All Giant Schnauzers should be eye-tested before being bred from, and then annually, whilst used in any breeding programme, irrespective of age.
BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
DCM DNA Test (Dilated Cardiomyopathy – RBM20 mutation
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an autosomal-recessive condition. An 'affected' inherits two copies of an abnormal gene (one from its mother and one from its father – hence both parents should be DNA-tested prior to being bred from. The typical age of onset of first clinical signs varies from 1 to 3 years.
DNA Test - DCM
Hip Dysplasia Screening
Both parents should be screened for hip dysplasia, regardless of whether they have signs or not. Some dogs may seem fit and healthy, but they may have physical changes, which can only be seen on X-ray, that are linked to hip dysplasia.
BVA/RKC Hip Dysplasia
Elbow Dysplasia Screening dysplasia
As with Hip Screening
BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme
HUU
DNA Test (Hyperuricosuria – SLC2A9 mutation).
Hyperuricosuria (HUU)
PRA 5 (NECAP1)
DNA Test (Progressive Retinal Atrophy)
DNA Test - PRA5