Dog von Willebrand Disease Management and Breeding

Von Willebrand disease is the most common inherited bleeding disorder in dogs, requiring careful management and responsible breeding.

Key Facts

vWD is caused by deficiency of von Willebrand factor, a protein essential for platelet adhesion during clotting.
Dobermann Pinschers are severely affected by Type 1 vWD; Scottish Terriers by Type 3 (most severe).
Signs include prolonged bleeding after surgery, trauma, or spontaneous mucosal bleeding.
DNA testing identifies carriers and affected individuals before breeding decisions are made.
Cryoprecipitate or fresh frozen plasma is used perioperatively to reduce surgical bleeding risk.
Desmopressin (DDAVP) temporarily raises vWF levels in mildly affected dogs before procedures.

Welfare Considerations

Dogs with severe vWD face life-threatening bleeding risks from routine procedures such as neutering or dental work. Pre-surgical screening and appropriate blood product availability are essential welfare safeguards. Responsible breeders use DNA testing to eliminate affected-to-affected pairings and progressively reduce disease prevalence in susceptible breeds. Breed clubs play a vital role in promoting testing and providing guidance.

What You Can Do

DNA test all Dobermanns and Scottish Terriers before breeding; avoid affected-to-affected pairings.
Inform your vet of any known or suspected vWD status before any surgical procedure.
Ensure blood products are available before non-emergency surgery on at-risk breeds.
Support breed health coordinators working to reduce vWD prevalence through education and testing.