 Barked: Wed Jul 7, '10 7:55am PST |
 | |  | | In response to Tanuk's doubts on health testing:
I think health testing is critical, and I prefer public posting of the results. It's not just about the parents and what they might produce, it's about THEIR parents also. You breed dog A and B. They have pups C-H. Once those pups are mature, and they clear their health tests, you have valuable information about what A and B are producing. This specific example is in reference to Newfs, I didn't see anything about Dals having heart problems, but:
If bitch A threw a heart puppy and dog B threw a heart puppy, both in prior litters, you might still considering breeding those two together depending on all the other factors you consider. But if bitch A and dog B create heart puppies together, you can file that information away about the mixing of those two particular pedigrees to try to prevent that from happening in future litters. Same goes for dysplasia, temperament...
You might have two great dogs who pass all of their health tests, and then their offspring don't do well... that particular pairing wasn't a good one.
I'm still learning about this stuff, maybe Tiller will pop in and explain it more clearly, but health testing is ESSENTIAL and I am aghast that vets "aren't recommending it" because it's not a completely accurate predictor. At the VERY least, even if you have no faith in its indication of puppy health, you need to verify that the parents are healthy, and that goes beyond "she walks fine, she must not have joint problems." NO! You need to get in there and see what is developing. She walks fine NOW, but maybe her hips are STARTING to deteriorate and the clinical signs won't be apparent for a few more months, years...
Bottom line is, I STRONGLY believe anyone who isn't doing breed appropriate health tests falls under the BYB category. I don't care if they show, I don't care if they do obedience or whatever, health tests are critical.
If I want a purebred dog and don't care about the health testing, I'm going to get one from breed rescue, I will NEVER support a breeder who's not doing health testing with my money.
That's not to say just because someone is doing the testing they know what they're doing... that's where experience plays a role. I also don't believe a dog shouldn't be bred just because he didn't pass a health test, but the breeder should have a specific reason for using THAT dog over another who DID clear all of their tests. |  |  | |  |
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