ASK THE VET

Q: Daisy is one of the first wave of ‘designer cross’ dogs. She is a Sprocker, which is a cross between a Springer Spaniel and a Cocker Spaniel. As she was 10 on May 1, I am considering what impact this crossing of breeds will have on her lifespan. JUNE RAINES, Durham A: I am unaware of any studies that have been carried out assessing the impact of this ‘designer crossing’ on lifespan. As Daisy is part of the ‘first wave’, biologically known as F1, where she is a cross between a Springer Spaniel and a Cocker Spaniel, it would theoretically generate genetic diversity. Any genetic disease caused by a single recessive gene would require the gene to be inherited from both parents to show clinical disease in the puppy. These F1 puppies are unlikely to have clinical disease as their parents are different breeds, but they may be carriers of the diseases. In theory this would lead to an average increase in lifespan. They could, however, be carriers of diseases carried by both the Springer Spaniel and the Cocker Spaniel. As you move into the second generation crosses, whereby a Sprocker is bred with another Sprocker, the carrier status can be passed down and if both Sprockers are carriers, there is increased risk of the puppies showing diseases carried by both Springer Spaniels and Cocker Spaniels. Depending on the genetic status of the grandparents, and the parents, the future generations may be looking at a slightly more compromised lifespan on average. The genetic diversity used in the cross breeds, through responsible breeding and genetic testing, can reduce the risk of a large number of diseases and has the potential to remove genetic diseases and increase the average lifespan moving forward. This does however require responsible breeding, which is not always undertaken. Please note that advice in this section is for general guidance, and if your pet is very unwell you should contact your veterinary surgeon as soon as possible as this advice does not replace the need for a clinical examination of your pet.

■■Rory Thomson is part of the team at St Clair Veterinary Care in Croft Road, Blyth. If you have a question, fill out the online form at chroniclelive.co.uk/askthevet

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