Chinese Beagle-syndrome AKA Musladin-Lueke Syndrome
Chinese Beagle Syndrome
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Musladin-Lueke Syndrome -
MLS-affected Beagles have short outer toes & they walk upright on their front feet in what resembles a ballerina stance.
Often all four feet are affected. Affected Beagles often have tighter skin with limited “scruff”. Their bodies feel hard due
to the tight skin, tendons & muscles. They often appear very well muscled. Their head shape is also notably different,
having a flat skull, higher ear set, ear folds & slanted eyes.
Tails are often carried in a straight, stiff fashion & some Beagles have noticeable kinks in the tail as well.
The syndrome can be determined very early on, at 2 to 4 weeks if you know what to look for. (see picture of 4-WO puppies).
The syndrome progressively gets worse until about 1 year of age when the dog then stabilizes. It is also important
to note that there are varying degrees of 'affectedness' with many Beagles & breeders should look at any or all
of the above indicators to assist in determining an MLS-diagnosis or a potential MLS carrier.
Ear folds, high toes or tight skin as a single trait does not automatically indicate carrier or affected status.
There have been dogs with ear folds, high toes or tight skin that were not carriers. Dogs with total normal appearance
have been determined to be carriers. The only way to determine normal or carrier status is to TEST.
Unless there are associated congenital or genetic problems, these Beagles will have a normal life span.
A genetic-marker test has been developed & this test is available through the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL)
of the School of Vet-Medicine at UC-Davis. The DNA test is offered at the very reasonable cost of $50.
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also note that very-young pups can be diagnosed or tagged suspicious by carefully fingering their soft ears -
or looking attentively to the ear-set or ear-carriage.
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Most owners & breeders that have MLS-Beagles have noted an abnormal ear cartilage.
It may be felt as early as 3-weeks of age. Some Beagles just have a odd 'ribbon'-type feel in the ear, & others
actually have extra folds from the cartilage. Abnormal ear-carriage can be seen almost at birth.
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there are a number of hyperlinks to photos at the link.
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terry pride, APDT-Aus, apdt#1827, CVA, TDF
*wolves R wolves, dogs R dogs, + primates R us.*
tmp, sept-2007 
Last edited by leashedForLife; 10-04-2011 at 03:22 AM..
Reason: added mention of pictures, which are helpful in Dx
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