ESS Breed Information

Please check-out the English Springer Spaniel Overview that includes information on the history of the breed, the breed's general appearance, characteristics & temperament and notes on some of the hereditary health concerns of the breed. Preparing For Your ESS includes information on how to prepare for & how to care for your English Springer Spaniel.

Below are some articles on some health concerns with English Springer Spaniels. They are posted for information purposes only. These files are posted with permission and are in PDF Format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access these files. Check out:

	OFA Guidelines for Grading Hip Dysplasia
	PFK
	Progressive Retinal Atrophy
	Inherited Epilepsy can be Devastating in Dogs (by Ned Patterson, D.V.M.)

In 2007 there was big news in the English Springer Spaninel world in relation to PRA (Progressive Retinal Attrophy). In April of 2007, it was announced that a test had been released to test for a DNA mutation that is a major risk factor for development of Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) in English Springer Spaniels.

The test identifies dogs that are clear (have 2 normal copies of the gene), those who are carriers (have one normal copy of the gene and one mutated copy of the gene), and those who are at much higher risk for developing PRA (have 2 mutated copies of the gene). Wise use of this test can reduce the incidence of dogs at risk for PRA in future generations.

Currently the percentage of English Springer Spaniels testing as affected or carrier is high.

More information about the test can be found at http://www.caninegeneticdiseases.net/ & http://www.aht.org.uk/.    More information about PRA and the DNA test can be found at http://www.caninegeneticdiseases.net/PRA/testPRA.htm and in the announcement of the test. You can also read more information about the test on a PRA page on The English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association web site.

	The test identifies dogs that are clear (have 2 normal copies of the gene), those who are carriers (have one normal copy of the gene and one mutated copy of the gene), and those who are at much higher risk for developing PRA (have 2 mutated copies of the gene). Wise use of this test can reduce the incidence of dogs at risk for PRA in future generations.
	Currently the percentage of English Springer Spaniels testing as affected or carrier is high.