The PBGV is a very healthy breed often living to be 14+ years and experiencing the normal sorts of health issues that dogs of all breeds experience. One health concern, Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) which is a severe, blinding eye disease, occurs in a small percentage of PBGVs. The PBGV Club has been very aggressively working to eliminate this problem in the breed with great success. Fortunately, a genetic test is available that distinguishes dogs who are unaffected by POAG, from those who are likely to develop the disease, and from those who carry the genetic mutation. To learn more about POAG in the PBGV click here. Be sure to talk to your dog’s breeder about the dog’s POAG status as well as all possible health risks. Your PBGV’s sire and dam should have received eye exams as well as evaluations of thyroid and heart function, hips, elbows and patellas. It is important to obtain a PBGV from a Breeder of Merit which can be found on the PBGV club website under Public Member Directory, and to have your dog examined by your veterinarian for any heart, eye, ear or other abnormalities. Anyone interested in purchasing a dog should discuss the prevalence of these problems in that kennel with the breeder.