A responsible breeder will test for hereditary diseases in their dogs before breeding them.
Many Crested breeders post those test results on the worldwide Chinese Crested Health Database. Do not buy
a dog from a breeder that does not ensure that their dogs are free from preventable inherited defects or else you may get a puppy that will end up suffering needlessly and requiring expensive medical care.
Several of the more commonly recorded genetic diseases in Cresteds are:
Patellar Luxation ~ A deformity of the knees that cause constant dislocation of the kneecap. This hereditary disease can be tested for.
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease ~ A degenerative bone disorder. It is believed to be hereditary.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy &
Rod Cone Degeneration (PRA-PRCD) ~ Eye disorders that lead to total blindness at 4-7 years of age. This hereditary disease can be tested for.
KCS (Dry Eye) ~ A defect that results in tear ducts not being able to lubricate the eye properly, leading to pain and blindness. It is hereditary.
CEC (Closed Ear Canal) ~ A defect where one or more of the ears is not fully developed, resulting in deafness. It is hereditary.
At the very least, all Chinese Cresteds should be OPTIGEN or Pawsitive I.D. tested
for the common eye diseases and deafness as well as having their knees cleared by a vet before being bred.
Learning about all the hereditary diseases a breed is prone to and what good breeders do to avoid those issues is important to ensure you get a healthy dog.
More Info on Dog Genetics:
'Breeding in the Dark'
The AKC and the Gene Pool
The Canine Diversity Project
Solutions for Welfare Problems in Dog Breeding
The Problem of Canine Genetic Disease
Purebred Dogs in the 21st Century
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