Heart Issues with ADEL HAUS GSD puppies - Page 1

Twelve years ago, I purchased a German Shepherd puppy from this breeder and he was a wonderful dog. This past December 2014, I purchased an awesome German Shepherd puppy from her and 4 months later he dropped dead in the back yard.  Veterinarian said the cause was probably heart-related.  Breeder was informed of issues and did not want to pay for an autopsy.  She would not return my money, but did offer a reduced price on another puppy from different parents.  Took puppy home and 4 days later puppy was diagnosed by 4 separate doctors at two different vet hospitals with a hernia and two of the four doctors said he had a severe level 4 hereditary heart murmur, the other two identified heart issues.  Both vet hospitals recommend I go see a Cardiologist. Breeder showed little sympathy and I returned the puppy.  I have big concerns for the health of her puppies.

There does seem to be an increase in the incidence of cardiac abnormalities occuring in the European show-line GSDs in recent years, sufficiently so to the point where I wouldn't be comfortable purchasing a show-line pup that didn't come from parents that had cardiac certifications. It certainly is concerning when you consider the law of averages that you would end up with two affected pups from the same breeder, but out of different parents, although when you consider that in most cases a kennel's breeding stock is going to be somewhat similar as to the bloodlines they carry I guess it's not quite as random as one might think it would be.

To be fair, however, you don't actually know what the cause of the first pup's death was; as no necropsy was done, there is always the possibility that the problem was something else, since I would have expected your own vet to have detected something amiss with the heart sounds in the time you had him before he passed so suddenly.  Unless a pup dies within a few weeks of when the buyer takes possession of it, I don't believe the cost of a necropsy should be on the breeder's shoulders, however; as a dog owner, I would pay for the procedure myself, to ensure that the pup hadn't been poisoned or suffered a bloat and torsion, etc.

In any case, I'm sorry for the loss of all three dogs in your life; even though you didn't have the third pup very long, it's difficult to not develop an attachment to them from the moment you first pick them up and they start licking your face, so I'm sure it hurt to have to return the pup.

 

 

Yep;  SAS, same as in Golden Retrievers.  Why the hell people are not asking for cardio certifications on BOTH parents prior to purchase Is  beyond me.  So sorry for your loss, know it is devastating for you.  You have done the right thing by bringing this to the attention of our forum and hopefully WAKEUP stupid breeders.  Cardio certifications have been available for some time; easy to access and now days a lot of dog shows even have  cardio testing  for all dogs after showing for the day.  How much easier can it get.  Real sorry.  Maybe you could find another breeder?? close enough that you could see and pick the puppy;  be sure to ask for all clearances, Hips/Elbows,Eyes, Cardio & Thyroid, request DM at  your own discretion;  some don't think the test is worthwhile, all should be done prior to anyone doing any breeding on both parents.  Good luck  Nan

More like when are people going to learn that breeding dogs with poor health just because they show well never ends up well? 

If you breed for work, you can't tolerate bad health. Simple concept. I don't see why it's so difficult for people to grasp. If the parents and grandparents suffer poor health, so will the pups, somewhere down the line.

My ASL AKC CH was tested for cardial function, thyroid, hips and elbows, and passed her GSDCA temperament test before she had her first litter. Some thought and evidentally still do think it was overkill.

I notice that on the "Memory" section of the website, she lists the birth and death dates of SOME of her dogs, but not all. I winder if there's a reason for that? Those she does list all lived 10+ years.

Since 1974 to December 2014, 40 years,  there are only around 1300 GSD's in the OFA database as being tested for cardiac function. That's a very small number considering the number of litters whelped in the US every year.

http://www.offa.org/results.html?page=1#results

 

I do not visit this website for any reason other than for information on pedigrees. I do not visit the forums because there is so much unhappiness and conflict from people.

As the owner/breeder of Adel Haus German Shepherds, I am aware of the situation with Mr. Robert Opal of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mr, Opal and his family did purchase a dog a couple of years back that did pass unexpectedly. I then sold Mr. Opal a puppy at a reduced price from a very nice breeding. I was very surprised to receive a phone call from Mr. Opal stating that the puppy was found dead in the backyard. I asked if a necropsy had been performed to find the cause of death. No necropsy had been performed and by the time that I found out that the puppy had died, there had been too many days since death to have a necropsy done. A variety of reasons could have caused death, such as: poison; bloat; dehydration obstruction of airway by means of choking on a toy, bone or vomit; abuse; neglect; and I could go on and on...

After this death, I did have a nice male puppy... Correct in drive,structure, intelligence and overall a wonderful and typey male puppy! Mr.Opal and his family came out to get the puppy and they were not charged any monies for the puppy. I just wanted to help with the sadness and emptiness that they desperately needed. I felt horrible for them. I received a phone call one week later to tell me that the puppy had a heart murmur. I asked them to bring the puppy back and my veterinarians would recheck the puppy.

I am extremely excited to announce that the puppy, DESPERADO vom Adel Haus, does NOT have a heart murmur as stated by Mr. Opal. This puppy is an absolute dream ... He is everything that I anticipated him to be and become. Great hips and elbows; drives; character; confomation.... EVERYTHING!!! My veterinarian team has a lot to say regarding this situation and how good this turned out for me, in the long run!  Desperado will be presented to the world and is an exciting new male for me and my team to work with...  He is very loved by me and my family.  

Each puppy, prior to placement, is seen by my team of veterinarians (whom I trust and have for years). Each puppy from every litter is health checked prior to placement for the benefit of me, the buyer and the future of the German Shepherd Dog.  My passion for the German Shepherd Dog is very alive and exciting!  Not for money or for might; but for the German Shepherd Dog breed....  

This particular post is a very good reason why I do not visit this site often. Not all facts are given and people (buyers) have no ethics or values.

"Let those who are perfect and without fault cast the first stone".... If this were the law in the world today, no one would be casting stones....
 

Seems like there should be absolute proof before such claims are allowed to be posted on the www.

Yes I wish admins would set up some type of rule where proof has to be provided.