Early occuring cancers- These kinds of cancers usually show up before the age of five.  They can be any kind of cancer. Ussually affects a very small percentage of Swissys.  May have a genetic predisposition.  It is best not to use any affected individuals in your breeding program.

Ideopathic Epilepsy-  In Swissys it ussually shows up in very low percentages and affects animals less than 3 years of age. In most cases seizures can be controlled with medications.  There can be many causes. Exposure to environmental toxins, over dosing with vaccines containing mercury,  exposure to fertilizers and garden chemicals, radiation, anaesthesia, head trauma can be causes.   It is best to NOT go on with offspring of any affected individuals that have seizures for unknown causes.  IMO Swissy tend to have a lower trigger point to get seizure disorders.  Best advice is to avoid exposure to environmental toxins,  reduce amount of vaccines you give over lifetime of dog and avoid doing unnecessary surgeries. 

Bloat/Torsion- In Swissys most cases start with enlarged spleens.  Spleens can enlarge for a variety of reasons. Exposure to environmental toxins,  viral or bacterial infections,  trauma are just a few of the causes.  If you notice your dog starting to bloat,,, give a simethicone tablet (gas X) and use a stomach tube if stomach keeps getting larger.   Sometimes you will see a dog that doesn't eat,  looks like it is abdominal pain... Take to vet,,, IF spleen is enlarged,  REMOVE it and tack the stomach.  This will reoccur and cause death if speenectomy and stomach tack is not done. 
What has helped me with this condition is to reduce amount of exposure to environmental toxins , especially vaccines with mercury in it and feed a diet supplemented with slightly cooked chucky veggies and raw bones/meat given several times per week.


Non Lethal Heatlh Issues

Structural issues-

Hip Dysplasia- Very seldom will you see clinical hip dysplasia.  Clinical issues usually associated with obesity and ofa ratings of Moderate or Severe.

OCD- Biggest clinical structural issue is OCD syndrome affecting shoulder joint.   IF you have a lame pup,  I take them into vet and if there is a flap present on exray then I remove it immediately,,, IF NO mouse or cartilage flap is present then I put pup on 1000 mg of MSM and Glucosamine and keep them on it for first two years of life.   Eventually they will get better if you take steps to stop pup from reinjuring the shoulder joint.

Elbow dysplasia- Very seldom will you see clinical elbow dysplasia.  Clinical elbow dysplasia is ussually associated with ofa grade 2 or 3. 

Eye issues-

Blinding issues-
 In Swissys Juvenile and Old age onset Cataracs can cause blinding issues.  I would NOT use a dog that has this condition in my breeding program. 

Progressive Retinal Atrophy- Causes severe blinding issues ,,, do not use affected animals in breeding programs.

Non Blinding issues- 
Punctate Cataracs- Thought to be embryonic blood vessels that do not get reabsorbed. Does NOT cause blindness issues.

Distichia- Extra eyelashes-  IF clinical problem it can be surgically corrected.

Entropion-  Inverted row of eyelashes,,,  Can be surgically corrected.


Dan's opinion-  If the dog has evidence of arthritis in hip joint you should not breed it.  IF the dog has a hip or elbow rating that is associated with clinical issues you should not breed it.  If the dog has minor structural issues or non blinding faults,  do NOT double up on them in your breeding decisions.   There are NO perfect dogs out there.  
 
If a breeder says their lines are clear of any of the above health issues they are uninformed and may not know their pedigrees as well as they should OR they have not been breeding long enough.  Realistically there are no separate families or lines in this breed at the present time.  American and Western European pedigrees are very related to each other.   IF you decide to get a Swissy you will have to contend with the fact that your Swissy may have one of the above health issues in their lifetime. It is a chance you will have to take if you decide to get a Swissy.  I will say that the majority of our Swissys are pretty healthy as a whole.    

Other sources to look into are www.gsmdca.org or www.agsba.com

Try to learn as much about our breed as you can before you buy your swissy. Realize that Temperament, Structural integrity and Longevity are important things to be looking when selecting your swissy puppy and should be what an ethical breeder's goals are to produce.  Good luck in your research.