Heeler it self is a very healthy breed and
that is also how we all want it to be. Unfortunately, no breed is flawless.
The heeler also has some faults, although so far only a few. First the eyes,
we have lens luxation (lens dislocation) which is a very sad disease.
Unfortunately, it strikes the dog when the dog is about six-eight years, and
at that age it could be that the dog already has been used in breeding.
Although I must say that we work hard to prevent such things. We only breed
on healthy dogs that have been eyed examined and where the examination is
not older than a year. Sick and known genetically carriers of this eye
disease are not in breed.
In England they are doing research to find the gene that carries the disease.
And we in Sweden send DNA-tests to England to contribute to the research.
Another eye disease, although not so difficult and hard for the dog, is CEA.
This disease turns up before the puppy is 12 weeks and therefore must all
puppies be eye examined before we sell them.
We also have patellar luxation, which means degenerative joint disease and
that the knee joint dislocates. So far, today, it is a rather uncommon
problem, but we work with preventive measures, and all dogs in breed must be
examined. It is possible to operate the dog if it has patellar luxation and
the dog will be fully recovered.
