April is Russell Terrier Health Awareness Month

The American Russell Terrier Club has designated April as Health Awareness Month in an effort to encourage all breeders to get out and health test all their breeding stock. We encourage everyone to BAER test, CERF, Patella test and get a Cardiac examine as the minimum tests to do on your breeding dogs. This is a young breed (as far as Kennel Club recognition), if we all work together in honesty, we can prevent this breed from going the way of so many others who have multiple health problems. We encourage everyone to record their tests with OFA & CERF. The RTHP and the RoHM has included the Russell Terrier in their databases. These health registries are for all who own Russell Terriers not just ARTC members. The ARTC sponsors the Russell Terrier Health Program, in honor of Health Awareness Month, we are extending our offer of free listings for ARTC members for your dogs and kennel on their site. To be listed, written documentation of all health testing, must be submitted, along with the applications.

We also feel it is of the utmost importance to share all information regarding this breed, including affected terriers & their pedigrees. It is very difficult to admit when you have bred a dog with a genetic condition but the only way we can hope to prevent it in the future is through knowledge . It has been estimated that every dog carries 3 to 5 genetic problems. There is no line is completely clean. Just because something hasn't shown up only means that the breeder, hasn't been breeding that line long enough. Sharing information, without fear of judgement from other breeders, is the only we can hope to prevent affected dogs in the future.

Again, since this breed is just starting as a "purebred" now is the time to set the precedents for the future. We as breeders can determine the future genetic health of our breed, in the present by our actions or inactions. We can educate all new breeders as to the importance of testing breeding dogs and culling* all affects from our breeding programs. It is a huge responsibility but we can all step up if we chose to. Let's all do at least the minimal testing for the sake of our dogs and their future health.

This is an excellent article that explains the importance of honesty among breeders: http://www.beaconforhealth.org/Genetics-Padgett.htm

*By culling we mean, if their health allows, placing them into pet homes