I would recommend a full blood panel at every annual check up...but I'd recommend that now for any dobe. Other than that enjoy his company to the fullest....get out and active with him and appreciate every day and every quirky thing he does. Most of all don't stress or worry. There are no guarantees of full health for the next 12-15 years for any dobe...even if the bloodlines/pedigrees have been researched back to front and inside out. Although knowing those lines gives you an idea what to keep an eye out for...and perhaps a better chance of avoiding problems...it's still a lottery until we know more about the genetics involved.
Further testing I would recommend so you can be informed would be
- Von Willibrands DNA test to know his status
- DCM DNA test ...although this is not predictive of DCM it would indicate keeping a closer eye on his heart if positive.
- (optional) have his hips and neck and elbows x-rayed (OFA), but it can be expensive so I would only do that if the vet thinks it might be a problem as he won't be used for breeding.
VWd is probably the only test in that list that is going to increase your knowledge about your dog in a meaningful way that will impact the decisions you make over his lifetime...but even then it's not urgent, although it is helpful to know if he requires major surgery anytime.
Full blood panels though....can't recommend them strongly enough!
Relax and enjoy....can't recommend that strongly enough either!
