In general German Spitz of both sizes are happy healthy and quite long lived dogs. Three major health problems have been experienced by owners and reported to the Club.
1 Fitting of various types, both severe and minimal including diagnosed idiopathic epilepsy. A study has been undertaken and 32 dogs, mainly not bred from have been listed by the Club and the list containing the names of the dogs that the owners have agreed may be published is available. To further the investigation DNA swabs have been submitted to the Animal Health Trust from most of the dogs still alive, and are included in the AHT investigation into epilepsy. Anyone with a fitting dog can obtain swabs from the health-co coordinator and they will be forwarded to the AHT together with the pedigree and any veterinary evidence available.
2 Various eye problems including RD MRD and PPM and PRA have been reported to the club and it is a requirement of all GSC of GB members that their dogs have a clear eye certificate within the past three years before they are mated. Puppy litter screening is also advised. There is a database with the results of eye tests that have been submitted to the Club, please see under eye testing. The Club has approached the BVA & KC to see if GS could be included in the BVA eye scheme, we have now been included onto the 'B' list A project instigated by a breeder of GS is currently running with Cambridge University with selected dogs to see if the gene for MRD is the same one as identified in other breeds. The Club has not been asked to assist with this at the present date, but would do all it could to further any investigation into the condition should its help be required.
3 Patella Luxation (slipping stifle) has been reported to the Club. Some breeders do have their dogs "tested" under the Putnam scheme by their own vet but there is no recognised BVA test for this at present. Result certificates that have been submitted to the German Spitz Breeders and Owners club are displayed on their site and German Spitz World.
New Kennel Club Regulations F, G, H, I, and J new paragraph 2 L new paragraph
1 Welfare of Dog An exhibitor (or competitor) whose dog is entered at a Kennel Club licensed event should take all reasonable steps to ensure the needs of their dog(s) are met, and should not put their dog's health and welfare at risk by any action, default, omission or otherwise. A breach of this Regulation may be referred to the General Committee for disciplinary action under Kennel Club Rules and Regulations. Entry Form statement Your dog is vulnerable and AT RISK if left in a vehicle in high temperatures and even on days considered as slightly warm. Please take care of your dog. If your dog is found to be at risk forcible entry to your vehicle may be necessary without liability for any damage caused. Show Schedule Notice Your dog is vulnerable and at risk during hot weather and the Kennel Club offers the following guid-ance to help guide you through the do's and don'ts travelling to and whilst at KC licensed events. When travelling to a show please take a moment to consider whether the route to the show is on a busy holiday route, and leave earlier to avoid increased time in traffic jams.
If your vehicle is not air-conditioned seriously consider whether travelling to the show is a good idea at all.
The vehicle should be as fully ventilated as possible, and plenty of stops should be taken, with lots of water available to drink.
Ensure your dog is not sitting in full sunlight. There should be plenty of free flowing air around the dog. At the show, your dog is vulnerable and at risk if left in a vehicle in high temperatures.
Keep the dog in the shade take your own shade for example a large umbrella and always have plenty of water available to drink so your dog stays well hydrated.
Avoid your dog taking part in unnecessary exertion, or from standing in exposed sunlight for extended lengths of time. Remember, if you feel hot your dog is very likely to feel much hotter and dehydrated, and this could lead to dire results. Please look after your dog s welfare.
Warning: if your dog is found to be at risk, forcible entry to your vehicle may be necessary without liabililty for any damage caused. Anyone whose dog is entered at a Kennel Club licensed event should take all reasonable steps to ensure the needs of their dog(s) are met, and should not put a dog s health and welfare at risk by any action, default, omission or otherwise. Breach of Kennel Club Regulations in this respect may be referred to the General Committee for disciplinary action under Kennel Club Rules and Regulations. Right to Refuse Entries. Exhibitors/Competitors are reminded that show societies have the right under Kennel Club Regulation to refuse any entry. Car Park Pass
Your dog is vulnerable and at risk during hot weather. Please look after your dog's welfare. Warning: if your dog is found to be at risk, forcible entry to your vehicle may be necessary without liabililty for any damage caused. Car & Caravan Park Notice Your dog is vulnerable and at risk during hot weather.
Please look after your dog's welfare. Anyone whose dog is entered at a Kennel Club licensed event should take all reasonable steps to ensure the needs of their dog(s) are met, and should not put a dog's health and welfare at risk by any action, default, omission or otherwise. Breach of Kennel Club Regulations in this respect may be referred to the General Committee for disciplinary action under Kennel Club Rules and Regulations.
Warning: if your dog is found to be at risk, forcible entry to your vehicle may be necessary without liability for any damage caused. Show Management Escalation procedure
1. The show society must appoint a responsible person who along with the show Vet (if on site) should manage the proper response to reports of a dog found in a distressed condition in a vehicle.
2. Once a report has been received from the Car Park marshals, a tannoy announcement must be made giving as much detail of the dog involved, its breed, make and registration number of the vehicle and name of the owner. A time limit should be given before further action is taken.
3. If time allows a show official should be dispatched to the show ring for the breed to make an announcement and/or benching area (if appropriate).
4. At the same time as above two actions, the responsible person(s) should attend the vehicle.
5. If a Police Officer or RSPCA official is on site it is preferable that he/she is in attendance at the vehicle.
6. If no response has been received from the announcement within the time limit and if in the opinion of the Vet (or responsible person), the condition of the dog allows for a final call being made over the tannoy, then this should be done.
7. If there is no response and it is believed the dog should be removed from the vehicle for its immediate protection then appropriate action should be taken.
8. It is recommended that there is more than one witness to this and that video and/or photo-graphic evidence should be taken. (Show Society should purchase a digital camera).
9. Following removal of the dog, the Vet s advice must be followed. In the event there is no Vet in attendance the responsible person should take appropriate action to immediately lower the dog s temperature and when it is considered appropriate the dog should be taken to the show s vet.
10. A full report and statements should be made covering the entire incident. The Kennel Club will require such evidence to consider taking actions under its Rules and Regulations so that the dog owner (s) can be asked to account for their actions. Information for Show Societies If you cause damage to property without lawful excuse or authority such action may result in criminal or civil liability. However, if it is brought to the attention of a member of the society that a dog is locked in a vehicle and in the opinion of the responsible person the dog is in great distress or near to death, and in the opinion of the responsible person there is no alternative way to secure the release of the dog without causing damage to the vehicle, the responsible person will have a lawful excuse for causing damage to the vehicle in order to release the dog provided that; 1. The dog is in immediate need of protection and, 2. The means of protection taken are reasonable in all the circumstances. No damage should be caused to a vehicle unless and until all reasonable steps have been taken to release the dog by other means. In all such cases, the escalation procedure must be full deployed and a complete log and report of the action must be made including details of the control/preventative measures taken by the society are in place (i.e. risk assessment). Any damage caused must be the least necessary to secure the release of the dog. If the responsible person honestly believes that a dog is at risk and that he/she uses reasonable steps to enter the vehicle to access the dog and the above advice and guidance has been followed, this will provide a defence to any allegation of criminal damage [Section 5(2) and (3) Criminal damage Act 1971].
