This genetic problem is becoming more common. It is difficult to identify dogs with hyperplasia because the defect only becomes visible when the bitch is on heat. Hyperplasia manifests in some bitches as a bulging of the uterus that makes normal mating and conception impossible. Such bitches should be sterilised. In some bitches the defect is not physically discernible. Should tests indicate the presence of the defect, the breeder has to decide whether to discontinue breeding with the animal or not. A number of experts maintain that the problem should be graded, as is the case with hip displasia, and that breeders should be allowed to breed with bitches that do not suffer from serious hyperplasia. I prefer not to breed with such dogs because it perpetuates the problem.

We do not breed with dogs that suffer from eye entropion or eye ectropion because this has serious financial implications. Breeding with dogs whose eyes have been operated on to correct the problem is not acceptable.

Dopper Boerboele have experienced first-hand the consequences of breeding with genetically deficient animals. We supply the hip displasia test results of the father and mother of every dog we sell. As far as possible every dog we breed receives a microchip implant that identifies it as a Dopper dog, so that dogs from other breeders will not be identified erroneously as Dopper dogs. Feeding and environmental factors can have a serious effect on the normal development of a dog's hips, for example.

An example of hyperplasia: