English Toys have a number of hereditary health issues. Slipping patellas and hydrocephalus (water on the brain) are probably the worst problems. However, they can also have patent ductus heart murmurs and juvenile cataracts are now appearing in the breed. The patellas can be palpated and rated by a veterinarian and registered through OFA. The eyes can be examined annually by a Board Certified Opthalmologist and registered through CERF. CERF forwards that information on to OFA's database. Hearts should also be checked annually if possible and the OFA form sent to OFA's database. They do frequently have umbilical hernias, but they are rarely bad enough to require surgery. For the complete Breed Standard, go to the ETSCA (English Toy Spaniel Club of America) website listed in the Links.
What we do about Hereditary Health Issues
We have eyes checked annually for hereditary diseases. We have patella's palpated after twelve months of age. We do annual heart screens. To see how OFA rates dogs, go to the OFA Link. A search under Eli-Fran and then by breed will bring up the testing we have done.
We have bred English Toys since 1990. We have finished over 25 English Toys.
