HEALTH
Before you read this section on health, I feel that I must stress that Norwich Terriers are NOT dropping like flies from seizures, any more than all Rottweilers or German Shepherds are crippled by hip dysplasia However, as breeders we need to pay particular attention to the known affected dogs in the pedigrees of our breeding lines, and take precautions against doubling up on a problem when breeding a litter; especially as the gene pool is small for this Kennel Club declared vulnerable breed
It was with the second Norwich Terrier litter that I bred (two males) and when one of the boys (Ben, Tebrun Hot Rumour) was three years old that I became aware of seizures in the breed. I found that these were commonly referred to as “Scottie Cramp”, “Norwich Cramp”, “Cramp”, or “Funny Turns”, (which sounds more like something one’s menopausal maiden aunt has rather than a Norwich Terrier). The supposed cure for this condition is selenium or seaweed powder. No mention whatsoever that affected dogs should not be bred from.
Breed health can be a thorny issue especially where a numerically small breed is concerned. However, in November 2000, I decided to write a letter to Dog World and I mentioned the occurrence of seizures in the breed. I banked on the fact that if the letter was published the “establishment” would do their best to put a lid on the matter which in turn would have the opposite effect. I was not disappointed. Apart from letters in Dog World the debate extended to Norwich Terrier Chat Lists on the Internet with American and European breeders discussing the matter quite openly. The genie was out of the bottle. I did not belong to any of the Lists at the time but became aware of the discussion and was surprised at the extent of the problem within the breed. Most importantly was Mrs. Joan Luria’s participation in the discussion and especially her letters to Dog World stating quite clearly that her dog was a diagnosed epileptic. Her statement under the ‘Experiences’ section of this web site is essential reading, because in spite of her dog’s epilepsy being public knowledge, he is now appearing in the pedigrees of some current litters as much as 4, 5, 6 or 7 times. His name will definitely drop off the edge of a five generation pedigree, but one must wonder whether the effect of his epilepsy will be as obliging considering the number of times he is on some pedigrees. During the 2001 Norwich Terrier Club Annual General Meeting it was agreed that a Health Sub-committee would be set up.
