Unfortunately or, maybe even fortunately , we have uncovered a health issue with the crossing of these two lines. Two of our beautiful pups have been diagnosed with SAS a genetic heart problem. One pup is thankfully so mild as not to be detected except by Echocardiogram with Doppler.  She will live a normal life and never be affected by this.  However the other sadly has a severe case .  He too could live a normal life span or not.  Time only knows.

 SAS is passed genetically through the lines and we have discovered that detecting it can be very hard.  We now know of at least one Shiloh (not one of ours) who has OFA certification on her heart but who was later diagnosed with SAS when checked with an echocardiogram with Doppler.  This tells us that there may be more out there affected and carrying this heartbreaking problem and unless they are checked by using the echocardiogram with Doppler we, can't be sure even if they are "Heart certified"

  At Kellisa , we will not allow anything produced here with SAS to be used in any breeding program and those who are clear will have progeny tested to make sure they do not carry the gene.  We will certify all dogs here with the ecocardiogram with Doppler and do our part to try to eradicate this problem from our beautiful breed.

 This is what I meant when saying that crossing into the different lines is an experiment.  We as breeders never know for sure what any new combination might produce , but because this is a relatively new breed , these new combinations are very important to the survival of this breed. It is devastating to us here and to the owners of a puppy when we do find a problem . But in a new breed such as this, it gives us a chance to study the lines and avoid the affected ones and hopefully  (if everyone does their part in testing their breeding stock) we can rid the breed of this problem.  We certainly all need to work together for the betterment of our beautiful Shilohs.  Although I understand that the testing is expensive , even pet owners can contribute to eradicating this heart problem in Shilohs by getting that test done and sending a copy of the results to your breeder.

  As more tests are done we will be open here with the results.

  As far as the rest of the health in this litter goes , we have all great hip results except one and so far no problems with elbows or thyroid testing.

    Updates as they come .