Staffordshire Bull Terriers are generally considered very healthy dogs. As we can see from their past history, it really has been the survival of the fittest and toughest and the responsible breeder attempts to maintain this high standard. However the breed is not immune to harmful genetic diseases. Responsible breeders with the support of the ANKC and other breeders are attempting to selectively breed out these hereditary afflictions. When purchasing a Staffordshire Bull Terrier from registered breeders (unfortunately not all breeders are registered with the KC and these breeders generally refrain from health testing breeding stock) do not be afraid to ask the breeder about their stock, their breeding practices nor be afraid on insisting to see health certificates.
L2HGA
L2HGA affects the central nervous system, with clinical signs usually apparent between 6 months and one year (although they can appear later). Symptoms include epileptic seizures, "wobbly" gait, tremors, muscle stiffness as a result of exercise or excitement and altered behaviour. Genetic Testing available.
Hereditary Cataracts (also called Juvenile Cataracts)
Hereditary Cataract in Staffordshire Bull Terriers has been recognised as an inherited condition since the late 1970’s. Affected dogs develop cataracts in both eyes at an early age. The condition is not congenital, so the lenses are normal at birth but cataracts appear at a few weeks to months in age, progressing to total cataract (and resulting blindness) by 2 to 3 years of age. Genetic Testing available.
Distichiasis
Sometimes the condition is referred to as a double row of eyelashes, for extra hairs arise from the edge of the eyelid to rub against the corneal surface. The effects are variable and mild irritation to corneal ulceration will be seen.Normally corrected through surgical procedure.
Entropian
Primarily an inherited condition. It is due to an excess of eyelid tissue, or a small eye, or both, the result being that a varying amount of hair-covered eyelid can turn in to rub directly against the cornea or conjunctiva, or both. It is usually extremely painful, and the damage caused to the cornea can render the eye blind. Most dogs are affected by six months of age and in some the signs of the problem (excessive blinking and a wet face) may be seen within the first month of life. Occasionally the condition is self-correcting as the puppy grows, but in the vast majority of affect dogs surgery is necessary to turn the eyelid away from the surface of the eye. Usually such surgery is successful, but it is much better that, as with the other inherited eyelid defects, breeders try to avoid producing this condition in their stock.
Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous (PHPV)
This is a congenital condition (present from birth) in which there is a developmental defect in the normal regression of some of the intraocular structures of the eye. PHPV can range from being very mild to severe abnormalities which may lead to blindness. Genetic testing currently being developed.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia is a genetic disease because of the various degrees of arthritis (also called degenerative joint disease, arthrosis, osteoarthrosis) it can eventually produce leading to pain and debilitation. No one can predict when or even if a dysplastic dog will start showing clinical signs of lameness due to pain. There are multiple environmental factors such as caloric intake, level of exercise, and weather that can affect the severity of clinical signs and phenotypic expression (radiographic changes). There is no rhyme or reason to the severity of radiographic changes correlated with the clinical findings. There are a number of dysplastic dogs with severe arthritis that run, jump, and play as if nothing is wrong and some dogs with barely any arthritic radiographic changes that are severely lame. No genetic testing available.