Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that occur due to abnormally high pressure in the eye caused by increased intraocular fluid that doesn’t drain properly. This condition often doesn’t show symptoms until the increased pressure damages the optic nerve, leading to severe pain, irreversible eye damage, and ultimately blindness. In Bouviers, Glaucoma is considered an inherited disease, and the type they develop is known as primary closed-angle glaucoma (PCAG).

The BHF Board has successfully completed the process or getting this research approved. We still need funding.

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If you have (or had) a glaucoma affected dog or your dog is a littermate, mother or father to a dog with glaucoma and you are interested in being a part of the research please contact:  bouvier.hf.chair@gmail.com

GLAUCOMA RESEARCH PROJECT UPDATE

Canine glaucoma is a devastating disease that can not only lead to blindness, but is also very painful, often necessitating surgical removal of the eyes. A form of glaucoma that occurs in Bouvier des Flanders dogs has a hereditary basis. We are conducting studies to identify the mutation that causes this disease. We use an approach called whole genome sequence (WGS) analysis. Every dog has tens of thousands of genes and every gene is made up of a very long string of code letters in a precise order, much like a book is made up of paragraphs that are made up of strings of letters and spaces arranged in a specific order. Alterations of the code letters in a gene can result in the gene not working properly, much like changing a word in a sentence can change its meaning. With WGS, we can “read” the sequences of the code letters that make up every gene in a dog. We compare these sequences between affected and unaffected Bouviers to find variations in the code that occur in all of the dogs with glaucoma and none of the unaffected dogs. To date, we have collected samples from a key group of affected and unaffected dogs and generated WGS data from them. Using these data, we have ruled out certain types of changes in the genetic code that could underlie the disease. The changes we have ruled out are similar to changes in a sentence that consist of misspellings or deletions of single words. There are a number of other potential changes in the genetic code that we have not yet screened for. These changes are similar to such things as deleting a sentence from a paragraph or changing the order of sentences in a paragraph. We are working to analyze the WGS data to see whether any of these types of changes might underline Bouvier glaucoma. Our goal is to develop a simple genetic test that will enable dog breeders to screen for the genetic defect that causes Bouvier glaucoma so that they can avoid passing this defect to their offspring.

A GENETIC DISEASE MARKER THAT HAS BEEN FOUND IN BOUVIERS:

BHF is investigating it’s prevalence in our breed in the United States.

In early 2025, the BHF began an inquiry into the prevalence of EIC in Bouviers in the U.S. Research has shown the presence of the EIC gene in European Bouviers is 3%. We did not know if it was an issue here. We tested (DNA swabs) 28 unrelated Bouviers at the National Speciality in September, 2025. Those results were analyzed along with previously tested Bouviers for a total sample population of 122. The final outcome of all samples found 18 carriers (14.7% of the sample), 2 affected (1.64% of sample) and 102 normal. This shows the risk gene at 9% of the population sampled compared to the 3% in Europe. Read more

Subaortic Stenosis, also known as Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis, is a common and potentially fatal inherited heart defect that can be found in several dog breeds, including the Bouvier Des Flandres. SAS is caused by abnormal tissue located just below the aortic valve, which obstructs the path for the outflow of blood from the heart to the circulation, creating a partial blockage. As a result, the heart works harder to maintain normal circulation, putting an increased strain on the main pumping chamber of the heart, the left ventricle.

SAS can be mild, moderate, or severe. Dogs with mild SAS may be asymptomatic. However, in moderate and severe cases, the dog may experience any of the following symptoms: weakness, breathing difficulty, fainting, and, sudden death.

SAS is hereditary, but so far there are no known genetic markers. The BHF has been collaborating with Dr. Joshua Stern PhD, DVM, ACVIM, a cardiologist, since 2015 to conduct research on SAS. The goal is to identify the genetic markers responsible for this disease and remove all affected dogs from the breeding pool to prevent the spread of the lesion within the population.

Read more on Dr. Sterns.

Dr. Sterns work is incredibly important for our breed. By studying the genetic foundation of inherited heart conditions like SAS, we can better our breeding lines and ultimately boost the overall health of our dogs. Moreover, this research can help us acquire the essential information to develop drug therapies that target the affected genes.

If your dog has a cardiac murmur or abnormal echocardiogram and your vet is concerned about SAS, the Bouvier Health Foundation will cover the expenses related to obtaining the necessary testing and information needed for your dog to participate in Dr. Stern’s research. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact the BHF. Review the paperwork required for Dr. Sterns research.

The Canine Health Foundation (CHF) provides funding for research to leading investigators in various areas of canine health, amassing a vast portfolio of research grants. To read more about the CHF research go to https://www.akcchf.org/research/our-research/

The Bouvier Health Foundation (BHF) emphasizes the significance of promoting research on health concerns that are associated with Bouviers. Since 2018, the BHF has collaborated with the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation (AKC CHF) by contributing funds to CHF grants. A total of $65,779.04 has been donated to 35 research grants. For a complete list of the research grants funded by BHF link to

Click here to view the AKC Canine Health research support history January 13, 2026.