GENETIC PREDISPOSITION TO DISEASES OF THE BREED CZECHOSLOVAKIAN WOLFDOG

Czechoslovakian wolfdog (CHSV) is a quite new dog breed created and raised for military purposes. In 1955 a biological experiment has been made in Czechoslovakia for obtaining a litter between a German Shepherd dog (NOC) and a Carpathian wolf in order to select the most useful qualities of the two. In 1982 the standard for the breed Czechoslovakian wolfdog has been approved and from 1999 it is acknowledged from the International Cynological Federation (FCI). Quite recently – 2010, the first representatives have been imported in Bulgaria. With the increasing worldwide interest and number of puppies emerge questions regarding genetic predispositions to diseases and indispensable veterinary healthcare. Despite the fact that it is a young and quite healthy breed we have focused on characteristic traits such as susceptibility to hip and elbow dysplasia, de-generative myelopathy, pituitary dwarfism and gastrointestinal diseases related to gene inheritance within the wolf and the German shepherd. There has been an extensive research conducted including leading breeding farms, veterinary clinics and laboratories regarding the most frequently occurring problems, specificities and maladies. The information is extracted through clinical, radiological, endocrinological and polymerase chain reaction methods. The aim of this report is to acquaint owners with the nature of the breed upon choosing a pet; veterinary doctors – with the inherit predispositions of Czechoslovakian wolfdog, diagnostic possibilities and prevention.