Portuguese Water Dog Health Testing Requirements for Stud Dogs

Portuguese Water Dogs are athletic, intelligent working dogs — but they carry a unique and catastrophic genetic heart disease called Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy that is rapidly fatal in affected puppies.

The Portuguese Water Dog Club of America (PWDCA) participates in the OFA CHIC program and maintains a comprehensive health program.

CHIC Requirements for Portuguese Water Dogs

• OFA Hip Evaluation
• OFA Eye Examination (CAER)
• DNA test for Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy (JDCM)
• Storage Disease (GM-1) DNA test

Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy (JDCM)

JDCM is caused by a mutation in the Tafazzin (TAZ) gene and is unique to Portuguese Water Dogs. Affected puppies develop fatal heart failure between 5 weeks and 7 months of age. There is no treatment and no survivors.

JDCM is autosomal recessive: two copies are required for the disease. Carriers are perfectly healthy. Breeding Carrier × Clear produces no affected puppies.

DNA testing for JDCM is the most critical health test for any PWD. Carrier frequency in the breed is estimated at 20-25%. Untested breeding programs regularly produce JDCM-affected puppies.

GM-1 Gangliosidosis (Storage Disease)

A fatal neurological storage disease also unique to PWDs. Autosomal recessive. Affected puppies deteriorate neurologically and die by 6 months. DNA testing is available and CHIC required. Carrier frequency is low but the consequence of ignorance is devastating.

Hip Evaluation

OFA Good or Excellent hips. Hip dysplasia occurs in PWDs.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

prcd-PRA occurs in Portuguese Water Dogs. DNA testing is recommended.

Follicular Dysplasia

A coat condition causing hair loss in PWDs. Genetic basis suspected; select against affected pedigrees.

Summary

A responsible Portuguese Water Dog stud dog must have: JDCM DNA testing (Clear preferred; Carrier with disclosure only bred to Clear dams), GM-1 DNA testing, OFA hip evaluation, OFA CAER eye exam, and prcd-PRA testing. JDCM testing is absolutely non-negotiable — the disease kills puppies between 5 weeks and 7 months, and it is completely preventable with a single cheek swab.