>But thanks anyway, I'm seeing my vet tomorrow so will find out more about this

I was hoping that you would come back and let us know if your vet has heard the same thing.  I just don't know a single vet that hasn't heard of it, so naturally, I wondered how you got on when you saw him today.

lilyowen, if you read back it was implicated that the colour WAS linked to the parvo... Others compared it to other genetic defects such as those suffered with the merle gene, and/or white colour and deafness.

If you agree that it's only SOME b+t dogs that suffer, then you're agreeing with my first hypothesis, that it is familial and in certain lines. Not that it is a foregone conclusion for b+t dogs and linked to the colouring, as the OP suggested.

> lilyowen, if you read back it was implicated that the colour WAS linked to the parvo... Others compared it to other genetic defects such as those suffered with the merle gene, and/or white colour and deafness.

I think these examples were used to show that different breeds of dog can suffer from different health problems not that colour CAUSES them. Flatties and cancer were also mentioned.

Just tucking on the end but the page linked to below suggests that some of the surveys used to link rotties to increased incidence of parvo didn't take into account how many dogs they saw of each breed;

"Early literature on parvovirus identifies black and tan breeds with a possible predisposition to canine parvovirus and I believe that there
was a concern that the breed may have not been as responsive to early vaccines against this disease. Data from clinical trials specifically
looking at serological responses shows no significant difference in responsiveness in face of maternally-derived antibodies. Against this
pharmacovigilance data still seems to show two breeds which consistently seem make up an increased proportion of the few cases
reported as suspected lack of efficacy- namely the rottweiler and the staffordshire bull terrier. Recent work looking at PDSA cases of the
disease sponsored by us and published in the veterinary record whilst showing more cases with both these breeds but when compared to
the proportion of these breeds that visited these premises the breed effect disappeared. My explanation for this is that the so-called
predisposed breeds are more common in areas with a higher incidence of disease. On this basis a different protocol specifically for
these breeds seems counter-intuitive."

http://www.aritaur.co.uk/Vaccination%20page.html  Right at the bottom of the page.

I asked the vet at work today and she said yes, there had been reports when parvo first appeared that dobes and rotts in particular seemed more likely to be affected by it, and that it was recommended that they have a third parvo vax at 20 weeks. So yes, vets have heard of this; perhaps it's younger, less experienced vets who haven't?

Do the two breeds have similar origins? If so that could be where a genetic predisposition comes from.

> Do the two breeds have similar origins? If so that could be where a genetic predisposition comes from.

I would think that much more likely.

I had been told years ago by my friends in dobes and Rotts that they could have an issue with the vaccines taking as babies and that a further jab was adviseable at 5 months or so.

I have had 2 dogs who had this virus the first was when i was a little girl so not sure if our puppy had been vaccinated it was so long ago probebley not, he was a bitsy,  sadly my puppy was pts id only had him 2 weeks,
the second dog was our rottie Tara she was fully vaccinated and was 1 and half yrs old when she went down with it, their was no signs she was ill till she just layed down and was bleeding from her rear end,, it was the most awful time she did thankfully pull thu and was in the vets for around 3/4 weeks, they where marvelous could never thank them enough for the care they gave her,  that would have been around 1992,
i pray i very see this illness again dreadful illness,

%

One other thing worth considering and something that quite a few Vets have been saying/doing is reviewing the period of vaccinations now as well.
The feeling is that three puppy vaccinations should be given owing to the fact that the initial vaccination is sometimes 'over-ruled' (negated) by the Mother's own antibodies....consequently the puppy is not adequately covered for a period.  the 2nd vac's are being followed by a 3rd, I believe, two weeks later.
I did ask why, if this is a known fact, do we bother to vaccinate at such an early age and wait until, say, 14/16 weeks.  The answer of course being that it interferes with socialising.    I wonder if others have heard this too?

Also, the AHT have been carrying out extensive tests and investigations, trying to find out the cause of that illness that dogs were suffering from last year.  many died, others very seriously ill and mainly in the Woodland areas around Nottingham/Sandringham and I gather others areas too.   Some of the symptoms I read, were similar to those presented by parvo.     About 18 months ago, one of my bitches became very ill with sickness and bloody stools.  She landed up having to be put on a drip and lost extensive weight.  It wasn't parvo but I wondered if it might have been a new strain of it.
I suppose, just as our fear of over-use in antibiotics, due to the fact that germs are retaliating and fighting back......so will many of these diseases that are currently being kept at bay!!

I am still waiting for someone to confirm whether or not it is necessary to vaccinate every year?  many believe three years now???

http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/DODDS-CHG-VACC-PROTOCOLS.HTM