Health Information
Last Updated August 24, 2009
The North American Shepherd is a developing breed, directly derived from the Australian Shepherd. They are a wonderful breed but they are not for everyone. Anytime someone is looking into getting a new pet it is highly recommended to research the breed and understand the original purpose of the breed. Each breed has a unique set of abilities and instincts. These instincts may not work into everyone's lifestyles.
The North American Shepherd is a highly intelligent dog that needs a lot of attention and is often called the Velcro dog. They are eager to please and wish to be with you at all times. While some can be constantly on the go, others are content to be active when you are active and relax when their families are relaxing. They aren’t a breed you would put outside in the yard to live. They need to be an active part of the family. On their own, they will find things to do that might be destructive or fatal to their health.
Most North American Shepherds are very affectionate, but are known to be reserved with strangers. This is not to be confused with being fearful. Once they are introduced to your guests they should warm up, although always showing their loyalty to their owners. Once introduced, some will become a wiggle butt; sharing kisses and tricks for the new friend. Others that are more reserved may not wish to have the newcomer lavish attention on them. Either way, the dog should never show aggression towards the attention of your guests. the new friend. Others that are more reserved may not wish to have the newcomer lavish attention on them. Either way, the dog should never show aggression towards the attention of your guests.
To know what a North American Shepherd should be is to study and understand the Breed Standard!
BASIC TESTING
All responsible breeders of the North American Shepherds will do the basic testing to ensure they are producing genetically sound puppies. Despite the testing and selective breeding there are times when genetic issues will arise. Breeding DNA cleared dogs is never a certainty. Recessive genes can and do rear their ugly head from generations past; sometimes from very far back in a pedigree. But it is every ethical breeder's responsibility to test and research before breeding to help increase the odds of producing a genetically sound puppy.
The most basic of testing will include; OFA or Penn Hip ratings for Hip Dysplasia, Patellar luxation and CERF for eye clearances. Patellar Luxation can be from breeding for a smaller size dog in a breeding program. Another growing concern within the North American Shepherd is Epilepsy as well as the MDR-1 gene. Recommended sites for more information:
http://www.ashgi.org/articles/gen_info.htm
http://www.workingdogs.com/doc0090.htm
http://www.vmdb.org/clinic.html
http://www.ashgi.org/index.htm
http://www.westernhillsaussies.com/genetics.html
http://www.mascaonline.org/Health.htm
http://members.aol.com/miniaussie/Frames7.htm
http://www.vrcc.com/ophthamology/docs/OcularDisordersCanine2007.pdf
EPILEPSY
Epilepsy is an issue in the North American Shepherds. As Breeders we need to help in every way to learn more and beware of this horrible health problem. Although there is no genetic test for this, there are several institutions that are researching the issue and getting close to providing a test to detect this condition in our dogs.
Recommended sites for more information:
http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/
http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/basics/basics_index.html
http://www.australianshepherds.org/journal/journalreviews1.html
http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/
http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/index.html
http://www.ashgi.org/aussiegenes/index.htm
http://www.tobysfoundation.org/index.htm
MDR-1
MDR1 is a specific gene that is found within many herding breeds. It causes the dog to have very serious reactions to certain chemicals and in many cases, it can result in death. In the past, it has been hard to get people to understand that Ivermectin is very dangerous to the herding breeds. Now it has been scientifically proven and can be detected using genetic testing. Many veterinarians are unaware of the MDR1 DNA test and others may be resistant with presented with the information.
CAUTIONS:
Your dog could ingest Ivermectin through other animals that have been treated with Ivermectin. Herding livestock are routinely wormed with this and there are cases of Australian Shepherds that have ingested this in the delicacy of eating manure with very alarming and sometimes fatal results. This drug has also become popular in the treatment of ear mites.
Recommended sites for more information:
Buster Alert
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/announcements/ivermectin/
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-VCPL/index.asp#Drugs
http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/ny-lspets4812529jul10,0,4059851.column
http://www.ingen.bs/index.html
Recommended sites for "holistic healing" information:
http://www.naturalrearing.com/newsandviews/articles/heartworm.htm
WHITE NORTH AMERICAN SHEPHERDS
Don't be fooled, white and white patterned North American Shepherds are not rare, nor are they worth a lot of money. The majority of these are from merle to merle breedings that can cause serious genetic defects that can require special training and handling. White or white patterned dogs are not all from the double merle gene, a merle to solid or tri color can also produce miss-marked white patterned Aussies. The double merle gene is different than Irish Pattern which is the amount of white patterning a dog will have.
Recommended sites for more information:
http://www.ashgi.org/articles/fact_white.htm
http://www.ashgi.org/articles/color_white_fright.htm
http://www.aussielads.com/LethalWhite%20INFO.htm
http://collectinaussies.com/Lethals.html
COLORS
The multitude of colors is one of the reasons that people become interested in this breed. They are almost like snowflakes; each and everyone is different. North American Shepherds come in four basic colors; black, red, blue merle, and red merle. The variances within these four colors can include white and/or copper markings. In addition to the body colors, the color of the eyes can be; solid colored, marbled, split, or flecked. All these combinations make up our wonderfully unique breed.
Recommended site for more information:
