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How do I find a disease free dog?

  • Pet owners should check with their breeders to insure that a pup’s parents are disease free. Ask your breeder for documentation that both of the pup’s parents have been tested within the past year.
  • Some of the most popular breeds have a high prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease. These include the Irish Setter, Golden Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, Shetland Sheepdog, Beagle, and Doberman breeds. You can search for the incidence of thyroiditis in any breed using the breed slider above.
  • Although selecting a breed with a lower risk of disease prevalence will reduce your chances of obtaining a diseased dog, the only way to be sure is to check to see if your breeder is testing their dogs before breeding them.