Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a term for retinal degenerations occurring in many breeds of dog. Many forms of PRA exist, each form being confined to one or a few breeds only. The disease results in a degeneration of the light-sensitive membrane at the back of the eye - the retina - resulting in loss of vision, and often leading to blindness.

The form of the disease occurring in miniature long-haired dachshunds can be diagnosed by electroretinography at a few months of age, although obvious clinical signs take longer to develop. The exact course of the disease can vary between individual dogs, and some don’t develop symptoms until relatively late in life.

There are three possibilities for a dog in relation to PRA:

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1. CLEAR: This dog has 2 copies of the normal gene and will neither develop PRA, nor pass this mutation to its offspring.

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2. CARRIER: This dog has one copy of the normal gene and one copy of the mutation. It will not develop PRA but will, if bred from, pass on the mutation to 50% of its offspring, on average.

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3. AFFECTED: This dog has 2 copies of the mutation.

All dogs bred at Austbritz Kennels are only bred from stock that has tested Clear.