Retrievers and setters - health issues

MistletoeMegan

MistletoeMegan

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Hello,

I was wondering if I could make use of the knowledge on here and pick your brains?

We are looking to get a dog in the near future, after a break from dog ownership. We've previously had a golden retriever, and a flat coat too, and are looking along similar lines for a puppy, but need to consider a few points first.

Our flat coat retriever was as near to a perfect dog as anyone could hope to own, she really was outstanding. We would dearly love another one, but as we lost our lovely girl to cancer at a young age, we don't want to go through the trauma of that again - I know that cancer is problem for a significant proportion of flat coats, but is it prevalent throughout the whole breed or are their unaffected lines?

Obviously no dog is guaranteed not to have any health issues at all, but if there's a way for us to have a flat coat without the genetic predisposition to cancer then we want to know about it
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Secondly, if we need to rule the breed out on health grounds, what are the main health issues, if any, for the following breeds;

Golden retriever
Large Munsterlander
Irish setter (already aware of their skin issues)

And if anyone can suggest a similar breed that I've missed out then do suggest it
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It won't be worked (other than a spot of ad-hoc rabbit control at the yard
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), but will have a very active country life, and will definitely get a lot of exercise and stimulation. No kiddies in the family.

Thanks x
 
Irish setters, like all setters do get various problems, particularly with ears which is normally easily manageable depending on the dog. They are absolutely gorgeous dogs (also consider English setters who are truly beautiful) although they are particularly destructive as puppies. They do calm down into gorgeously calm dogs, although they only stay calm if they are excercised a LOT!
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Golden Retrievers can be prone to arthiritis as they get older. I dont know anything about Large Munsterlanders so I will watch this post keenly
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I have a golden retriever he is 12yr old, he has arthirtis but it is mananged by some amazing tablets we get from america. He is amazing, still full of life and never sick or sorry.
 
We have a 14 yr old goldie. She got arthritus in her back leg aged 4 after falling off a cliff
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but apart from that only started developing it generally aged about 12. She's on joint aid and still bounces around
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QR I have a setter with skin issues-am very pleased he is insured! he's fantastic though, well worth it-he just gets better and better character wise. he did eatm my utility room as a pup though...
 
Hi

We have a flat coat, he has never been sick or sorry and he is 14 and a half. Still goes for walks and is full of beans. I totally understand why you love the breed, ours is quite a character. I know of a few and none of them have health issues.

We had an english setter years ago, passed away at 12 years old, he had many health problems. He was an absolute darling tho.

The only chesapeke bay retriever I knew lost his battle with cancer a few months ago.

I think it's just bad luck to loose a dog to cancer and I wouldn't let ypur past experience put you off, good luck
 
Thanks guy, that's really useful
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chevs - we've subsequently found out that a lot of flatties are affected by cancer, normally when I do the 'doggie person' thing of making a beeline for anyone I see with a flattie and having a fuss with their dog! We then have a natter and I've now heard so much about their issues with cancer that it's just heartbreaking.

For those who suggested the chesapeake, I like them a lot but unfortunately they don't meet the 'beautiful' test according to my mother's standards
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She is shameless in her need for a 'pretty' dog and for her that means a mid-length coat
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A rather irritating criteria, because it's ruled out so many good dogs
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