I have just bought a 9 week old English bulldog puppy only to discover she has a hernia. Vet has said it’s an easy enough operation and very risk free. She informed me though that she thinks it’s genetic and advised me not to breed from her. The breeder has assured me it’s not genetic so now I’m unsure what to believe. Was wondering if anybody know if it is or not? Thanks in advance

I'm sorry to hear your puppy has a hernisa; I'm assuming it's a more common umbilical hernia, not a rare inguinal one? These can easily be repaired, generally at the time of spaying or castrating - unless it starts causing a problem sooner. In my experience these have a strong hereditary element (I know of a whole litter that developed them by 5 weeks old having had no signs at birth and the dam didn't chew the cords (a common excuse given) and so I wouldn't recommend breeding from the pup in the future.

Thank you for the reply. She is booked in at the vets next week to have it repaired. If that is the case and it is hereditary then I would choose not to breed her and have her spayed. Thank you for your help

I would get a second opinion on whether the hernia really needs repairing now or whether it can wait until she is spayed.  its a big thing to put such a very young puppy you have only just had through surgery.  If at all possible see if it can be left till she is older. it might be easy enough but it will hurt, she will be sore and its a trauma a new pup would do better if postpones.

ps I would not breed off a dog with a hernia- Bulldogs are not rare and its too much risk of passing on a genetic fault.   should have been picked up when still with breeder too.