VWD- Von Willebrand's Disease is a blood-clotting defect caused by quantitative or functional deficiency of vWF.  vWF is an adhesive plasma protein required for normal platelet binding at sites of small vessel injury.  A lack of vWF impairs platelet adhesion and aggregation. 

    vWD has several forms that varies from mild to severe bleeding.   There is type I, type II, type III.  Depending of the severity, some dogs may show bleeding from the mouth, nose or they may bruise easy. Type I is the most common class and the one that affects Dobermans, German Shepherds, Greyhounds and more .

    VWD is the most common hereditary hemostatic defect in dogs and it can be tested for.  It's always best to test your dog before breeding.  Selective breeding practices can reduce or eliminate vWD from an affected pedigree.  Breeding 2 clear parents is ideal because all offspring are expected to be vWD clear.  Breeding 1 clear and 1 carrier parent maybe acceptable, with the clear pups produced from these matings used for subsequent breeding.  Carrier to carrier matings are inadvisable due to they are most likely to produce affected offspring.  Affected dogs should never be bred.