Get a GRIHP! on Breed Health

A Globally Relevant Integrated Health Profile (GRIHP) describes the Big Picture of health on (all) conditions that are of interest within a breed and is intended to inform owners, breeders, and those counseling them. Health Strategies are breed-specific recommendations and requirements developed by Health Strategy Providers (HSPs) including, e.g. kennel clubs, breed clubs, and veterinary organizations. Health strategies may encompass detailed descriptions of breed history and development, evidence/ statistics on conditions of interest, health/temperament screening suggestions or official programs, and more, depending on the breed, the HSP, the country, and/or specific organizations. 

The Big Picture for a breed should include information not only on conditions, that have a genetic or other screening tests available, but also all conditions that may impact the health, behaviour/temperament, well-being, and welfare of individuals and breed populations; ideally accompanied by an indication of the relative importance of each item, which may involve commonness, severity, and other factors. In some countries, kennel and breed clubs have created breed-specific, comprehensive strategies to determine the current situation for the breed, including disease and population statistics, and describe actions for a sustainable future. For some breeds, in other countries, clubs may simply have a list of recommended disease tests and/or health evaluations - and that is a good start.  Bringing together available information internationally will highlight similarities and differences or the health situation for breeds, role model some of the great work being done, and provide tools and inspiration for those wanting to work on breed health.  

Depending on the breed these Get a GRIHP! articles will include:

• Breed nomenclature and description of types and characteristics
• Health and welfare issues, including:
  • statistics on common and high risk conditions
  • available health, genetic and other screening tests that are recommended or required
• Population statistics from various countries; statistics on trends in popularity
• Management strategies and recommendations for owners and breeder,s as well as, resources to support veterinary-client communication.

IPFD is expanding existing resources to help Get a GRIHP! - like the Harmonization of Genetic Testing for Dogs (HGTD) and our Breeds Database which includes links to existing health strategies/health surveys from various HSPs and countries; as well as new initiatives, e.g. a searchable Health Strategies Database for Dogs (HSDD).

The Get a GRIHP articles are being highlighted in monthly articles in the Bulletin of the World Small Animal Association (WSAVA). Links to the WSAVA Bulletin articles are available here.

Get a GRIHP! Articles on DogWellNet.com:

1. Welsh Corgi
2. Dachshund
3. French Bulldog
4. Australian Shepherd
5. Saluki
6. Golden Retriever
7. Bernese Mountain Dog
8. Black Russian Terrier
9. Pug
10. Finnish Spitz
11. Rhodesian Ridgeback
12. Rottweiler
13. Whippet
14. Belgian Shepherd
15. English Bulldog
16. Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
17. Dalmatian
18. Border Terrier
19. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
20. Siberian Husky
21. Dobermann
22. Shih Tzu
23. English Setter
24. Beagle
25. Chihuahua
26. American Staffordshire Terrier
27. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
28. German Shepherd Dog
29. Labrador Retriever

Other resources:

Brenda's Blog Breed Health... What is your vision?  Building on our IPFD friend and collaborator Ian Seath's thought provoking but practical article, BREED HEALTH AT THE START OF A NEW DECADE – WHAT’S YOUR VISION FOR 2030?, Dr. Bonnett challenges everyone to examine what they are doing to to look ahead and develop good habits in support of breed health and welfare.

Breed health strategies:  We have a wealth of information on health improvement, Breed-specific breeding or health strategies, including links to examples from various kennel and breed clubs and countries. See our evolving compendium or resources here: Key Tools and Templates for Breed Health Managers.

WSAVA Bulletin - Meet the Breed series - short articles to acquaint veterinarians with key and emerging issues in breeds and link them to our Get a GRIHP! articles.

IPFD contributor Ian J. Seath reflects on IPFD's Get a GRIHP! resources in his popular Dog-ED: Social Enterprise blog: It’s time to get a GRIHP – a new resource from the IPFD