Breeding Dogs for Better Health

• Hypothyroidism is the most prevalent endocrine disorder in dogs.

• The major cause of hypothyroidism in dogs is autoimmune thyroiditis.

• Hypothyroidism disease is familial (genetic) in dogs. Some breeds have a very high incidence of this disease, whereas others do not. However, no breed is free of this disease.

• Dogs used for breeding purposes are often examined to determine whether they have evidence of thyroiditis. Dogs that test positive for thyroglobulin autoantibodies (TgAA) should not be used for breeding purposes, since they will pass this trait to their offspring.

• The TgAA assay can often detect the disease a year or two before symptoms appear, allowing breeders to make informed decisions regarding the choice of animals for breeding, ultimately reducing the prevalence of the disease.

• By appropriate testing and selection of dogs, breeders can reduce the incidence of thyroiditis is dogs, thus directly improving (a) providing heathier dogs that will cost their owners less to maintain, and (b) improving the breed by reducing the incidence of this disease. 

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