Health Testing? - Page 3

Blitzen, I only test HD/elbows as well - nothing else.

Very good reasons for both sides of the argument.  I personally dont worry about all of those tests when looking at purchasing a dog.  I also dont fault those that do either. What I have noticed is that a number of breeders here in the states are using all those extra tests as a way to sell more dogs.  I see them putting down other breeders that don't as a way of trying to prove their dogs are more healthier.  The reason why i brought up overseas breeders is b/c many (if not all) of the long standing kennels don't perform all of those tests.  For them it's just xrays & DNA. What do they know that some breeders here in U.S don't know with regards to breeding and health? I can see it as a way to give newbies a sense of security when purchasing.....just like a warranty. @andhourspass.....I had 3 but now I have 2. All 3 imported from Europe from established breeders who only do DNA & hip/elbow xrays.

I guess it's up to the buyer what they feel are reasonable tests. I think you will find that most AKC buyers are going to be looking for more than hips and elbows while that's enough for those looking for an import. The price may be a factor too. I seldom see imports priced as high as many of the dogs bred here. If I'm going to pay 3K for an 8 week old puppy, I want to see DM, hips, elbows, cardiac , thyroid results on both parents plus some sort of a performance title. This is why I would  import a puppy from only a handful of German kennels.

If I purshase an 8 week old puppy for 3K it better train itself and pick up it own poop.. :o)

And to drive the SUV and shop for groceries

--- >  The OFA is the first to say - do not elminate any dogs from breeding programs based only on the DNA DM results. The goal is to not produce anymore at risks.

I hate to sound like a broken record BUT aint gonna happen with the current DM test, at least not in our breed and maybe not others. either. :( 98%, I believe, of wire hair fox terriers test postive for the change to the SOD1 but not even one has ever gotten the disease. food for thought... One simply cannot ignore the facts because they wish to ignore them and the test is good for sales. There is gonna be a rude awakening and it will get ugly as people get blindsided, and lawsuits fly. Mark my words- it is inevitable :(

Marjorie
http://www.gsdbbr.org The German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry (a health registry for registered German Shepherds)
BE PROACTIVE!
http://mzjf.com --> The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group http://www.mzjf.info/hgate Heaven's Gate

Oh- in relation to all those tests... I know of a breeder who CHICS all her breeding dogs. She was awarded Breeder of Merit from the AKC because of her health testing. What they dont know, because they do not check or care to check, is that she breeds her dogs like rabbits. She almost always has a minimum of two litters in her house ( well- not house- more like barn) and if not 2 litters at the same time, one litter after another. There is NEVER a time when she doesnt have puppies! So, the health tests mean squat and do not make her a reputable breeder. AKC sucks, BIGTIME! All they care about is the money they rake in for the tests, and in regards to the OFA and the DM DNA Test, they aint much better. :( I have lost all respect for the OFA. They should have stuck to what they were good at. Jack of all trades, master of none. JMHO...

Marjorie
http://www.gsdbbr.org The German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry (a health registry for registered German Shepherds)
BE PROACTIVE!
http://mzjf.com --> The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group http://www.mzjf.info/hgate Heaven's Gate

And I don't really have much faith in OFA, they are subjective and can go either way, depending on who reads them for that given day, if they had a good or bad day, etc/etc.  I've known more than one incident in which dogs were OFA'ed, results came back as HD, and only to have the owners re-submit them a few weeks later and they passed with an EXCELLENT,  so how does that happen???  All my dogs are either OFA'ed, PennHip'ed or A stamped before imported, but the OFA results can vary SO much!

I would only penn hip.... I am done withthe OFA- you are right about it being too subjective.

  Marjorie
http://www.gsdbbr.org The German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry (a health registry for registered German Shepherds)
BE PROACTIVE!
http://mzjf.com --> The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group http://www.mzjf.info/hgate Heaven's Gate

OK, I see where this breed is headed, right down the shitter.