About Us

Lochryan is dedicated to producing a quality dog for showing, competition and above all as a loving companion to their owners. We selectively breed with established standards in mind. Character and solidity in temperament is as important as health, structure and correct conformation. A strong foundation is build for each puppy during their first months of life.

Lochryan dogs have been competed in conformation, agility, obedience and herding. All Lochryan dog's are screened for all testable, breed specific conditions. Continual, extensive research is done on all lines and pedigrees involved. All the dogs bred, owned and tested for MPSlllB are normal.

What is MPSIIIB...

Schipps are relatively healthy, though in the last few years there have been issues with seizuring, subluxating patellas, allergies and many other autoimmune conditions. A recent hereditary condition is now in the fore font of the breed, this health issue is called MPSIIIB. This is a lysosomal (storage) disorder. These dogs show signs of the disorder between 2-4 years of age. MPSIIIB dogs show signs of trembling (which can look similar to seizuring), neurological dysfunctions and then weight loss. Fortunately, a few years back, a DNA marker for MPSIIIB was discovered. This allowed for testing/screening of breeding stock and other individuals. There are 3 categories : Affected, Carrier and Normal. By breeding a normal male to a normal female this produces normal pups : Carrier to Normal produces a mixture of carriers and normal pups :Carrier to Carrier produces Affected pups.... this condition could one day, be eliminated from the breed. Unfortunately as the majority of breeders have done over the years... excuses are made so that they can justify continuing to use their "championed" stock, regardless of their health or character status. They promote breeding a normal to a carrier, with some of their stock testing out as carriers...this is their only justifiable option. "Champions" only mean that 3 or more judges felt that they were the best male or female there that day, and that they competed in the "beauty pageant" enough times to accumulate enough points to meet the established requirements. It doesn't guarantee or support health, temperament, character, structural soundness nor social-ability. It is very possible to have clear, healthy Schipps with delightful character from Champion lines... it takes work, persistence with a committed priority of bettering the breed. When inquiring about a puppy or adult ask bout getting a pedigree from them and if they did the testing on their dogs and then ask for test results on the parents of the pups or on the adult dog. You have an option to look the pedigree up on the MPSIIIB database to confirm what you are being told.

(http://www.bonchien.com/schipsearch.html)

****This is a voluntary data base which contains only the dogs that some breeders have made known to the public. ***

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