Breed health status and breeding goals

The breed is part of the Finnish Kennel Club's Programme for Combating Hereditary Diseases and Defects, or PEVISA. Currently, PEVISA includes the following requirements for the Stabyhoun: 

  • Only dogs with grade A, B or C may be used.

  • Only dogs with grade 0 or 1 may be used.

    • A dog with an elbow scan result of 1 can only be mated with a dog with a result of 0. 

  • The number of offspring is limited to a maximum 21 puppies, but the last litter will be registered in its entirety.

In addition to the hip and elbow scans included in the PEVISA program, many stabijhouns have official spine statements and an eye examination. Dogs used for breeding are tested for vWd1 and CD diseases with genetic tests.

Breed-specific breeding strategy (Jalostuksen tavoiteohjelma JTO)

The breed-specific breeding strategy is an information package prepared by a breed organization and approved by the Finnish Kennel Club on the current situation of a dog breed. The breeding strategy contains information on the temperament and working characteristics, health status, and appearance of dogs representing the breed in question. It also lists the issues that should be paid special attention to in the breed in question.

The main goals of the Stabijoun breeding target program are to expand the breeding base of the breed, reduce hereditary diseases, preserve working characteristics, reduce the proportion of timid and sound-sensitive individuals, maintain good reproductive ability and maintain a healthy and non-exaggerated structure.

Recommendations for combinations

Dogs used for breeding should be as mentally and physically healthy as possible. Character and breed-specific working characteristics should be taken into account when selecting a dog for breeding. 

Requirements for registration (PEVISA)

  • Only dogs with grade A, B or C may be used.

    • For a dog with C hips, it is recommended to use only a dog with a score of A or B. 
       

  • Only dogs with grade 0 or 1 may be used.

    • A dog with an elbow scan result of 1 can only be mated with a dog with a result of 0. 

    • Results 2 or 3 may not be used for breeding.
       

  • The number of offspring is limited to a maximum 21 puppies, but the last litter will be registered fully.

Recommendations

  • The breeding dog must be genetically tested. The following points must be taken into account regarding the genetic test results:

    • Von Willebrand (vWD, type 1): All statuses can be used for breeding, but a dog with two copies of the gene should not be mated to another dog with two copies of the gene.

    • Cerebral Dysfunction Disorder (CD): Only clear dogs and carriers should be used for breeding. A carrier should only be mated to a clear individual.

    • CDDY (FGF4 retrogene): It is recommended that a dog with two copies of the gene should not be mated to another dog with two copies of the gene.

    • A dog with an unrecognized color (e.g. tricolor) may be considered for breeding if it otherwise meets the breeding recommendation and the appearance of the color defect in the offspring can be prevented based on the color genetics of the other parent's genetic test result.
       

  • It is recommended that dogs used for breeding have an official eye examination before the first litter.
     

  • If a dog has been diagnosed with a serious illness that clearly impairs the quality of life, it may not be used for breeding. 

    • Such illnesses include: epilepsy, heart disease, allergies and atopy. Also dogs with the following may not be used: a twisted tail, umbilical hernia that required surgery, a strong underbite
       

  • It is recommended to follow the Finnish Kennel Club's recommendation of 6.25% inbreeding based on four to five generations, and to take into account all possibilities for expanding the gene pool when making breeding choices. The inbreeding rate should be kept as low as possible.

    • The inbreeding percentage of all generations must not exceed 34% in ZooEasy.
       

  • The temperament and behavior of the breeding dog must be tested either in a breed working test or in a MH temperament description, a temperament test or a behavioral breeding inspection. 

    • Aggressive or timid dogs may not be used for breeding.
       

  • Dogs must be at least 24 months old when used for breeding.
     

  • A dog may only be used for breeding again when more than 50% of its offspring have hip and elbow results.
     

  • The dog must have been awarded the qualification Good at an official show.
     

  • No re-combinations are allowed.
     

  • A male who has repeatedly been unwilling to mate should not be used for breeding.
     

  • A female who behaves aggressively towards a male during mating or is otherwise repeatedly unwilling to mate should not be used for breeding.