Health Survey Report

2002-2004

 The results of the most recent tabulation of the 2002-2004 health survey reports give the club a glimpse of the statistics on the health of the miniature bull terrier.  We call it a glimpse due to the large numbers of miniature bull terriers outside our club and due to the large numbers within our club which have gone unreported.  Taking those two facts into account as we look at the facts of our data, we then add ‘hope’ that the statistics are indeed relevant.

Most participants identified themselves when reporting on their dog’s health, and from this we surmise that there is a relatively large group of miniature bull terrier owners who are interested in working toward the longevity of their dogs, now and hopeful to live with a healthy mini forever.

 A total of 237 dogs were reported

Living:  184

Dead:      53

Health Problems of Living Dogs:

The oldest living dog reported                 14 years.

The youngest living dog reported  0.3 years

The average age living dog reported        4.4 years

Opthamologic:                                          30 total

                             24 (lens lux, sublux, glaucoma)     13.0 % of living dogs

Lens Luxation                                  12

Lens Subluxation                             3

Glaucoma                                         9

 Persistant pupillary membrane       5

          Cataracts                                             1

Heart:                                                         16 total                8.7 % of living dogs             

Included reports of subaortic stenosis, heart attack, heart exploding

Temperament                                               12 total              6.5 % of living dogs

Skin                                                            14 total                7.6 % of living dogs

Deafness                                                      7 total                3.8 % of living dogs

Kidney failure                                             3 total

Laryngeal paralysis                                      1 total

Knee                                                            1 total

Hip                                                               1 total

Cancer                                                          1 total

Other (unnamed)                                         16 total

Deceased Dogs

A total of 53 deceased dogs were reported.

The oldest age at time of death                          14.5 years

The youngest age at time of death            0.25 years

The average age at time of death                        6.8 years

Age of death:  0 – 2.5 years:                     15 dogs

Age of death: 3 – 8.5 years                                18 dogs

Age of death: 9 – 14.5 years                     21 dogs

Causes of death

Heart:                                                                  11

Kidney:                                                                10

Cancer                                                                 11

Temperament (put down)                                   8

Unknown/old age/unreported                            8

Choking                                                                 1

Bloat                                                                      1

Severe skin allergies (put down)                          1

Lens luxation (put down)                                     1

Breeding History

Total number of brood bitches reported:          41

Ratings of mothering qualities: 

                   Excellent                                          21

                   Good/Very good                              17

                   Poor                                                   3

Litter size:

                   1-2 puppies                                      13     (32.0 %)

                   3-5 puppies                                      24     (58.0 %)

                   6-7 puppies                                        4      (10.0 %)