What do I need to ask for? - Page 4

I get you, Blitzen, but then you have the pet owner with a black cloud hanging over them. Like I said, it's a conundrum. It sucks a BFO.

Joanro, I don't understand. What black cloud would be hanging over the pet owner?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but in researching I seem to remember that the at risk are most likely but not necessarily going to manifest DM, carriers less likely, and normal least likely to manifest the disease. It's the "less likely " that would be the black cloud. People tend to want absolutes and if there is a carrier gene, then there can't be absolute certainty that the dog won't be affected. Hope you can shed some light.

http://www.offa.org/dnatesting/dmexplanation.html 

Thank you.

So, great advice was given, hopefully the OP takes heed and prints off a list.
Better print off a few if you are planning on checking out a few breeders,
this way you have a list for each breeder.
I doubt you will find any other breeder recommended on this thread
will be able to hold a candle to Heidi when it comes to experience.
But Heidi doesn't need anyone on this board to do a hard sell for her,h
her breeding program and accomplishments speak volumes

Once you actually see/verify health testing and/or any working titles
(which by the way, I would definately insist on from sire/dam),
then you can come back and post pictures of your pup. 

By the way, you will also then be required by internet law to post whenever
you see another person come looking for a pup and want to know what they should ask

It is also a good idea to check out the thread on DM tested studs.
While the DM test is not a miracle worker, it's a great place to start,
as are OFA/a-stamp, working titles etc.

Never ever accept any multitude of reasons why a dog is NOT tested,
the proof is is the pudding!

 Just want to say again how much I appreciate ALL the input you all have taken the time to present here.  You have given me great tools to utilize as I am beginning this journey to find my "boy."

Can you help me to understand this more clearly...Blitzen writes:

"Of course I wouldn't destroy a carrier. If it were breedworthy, I'd breed it to a normal. If it were pet quality, I'd do as I have always done with pets, place it with a non-breeding agreement."


Does this mean that if a breeder knows I am looking for a "companion pet" that there is a possibility I might be getting a pup that came from a parent that had some issues? I hope I'm asking that right.  Does that make sense? I'm asking because if this is the case, do I ask different questions if I'm told it is, "pet quality."

Thanks.

 

Oh No 50ish,, not exactly... the only difference is that sometimes it takes two, three generations to improve or rid of something. And there are puppies that are good puppies, but they are not suitable for breeding. They are placed in pet homes, meaning with people who don't want to breed.

Perfect example would be a male I used to own. He had not that perfect hips ( borderline-mild HD-working hips as we call them) and he was missing p1 (a tooth). Other than that he was great dog, athletic, amaizing tracker, fenomenal worker and stable as can be, Fantastic dog!!! But I never wanted to breed him and I knew he was not going to suffer from pain so I kept him as my buddy, trained him, put some titles on him.... He lived to be 13teen.
Hothing wrong with the dog but not suitable for breeding.

Hope it helpes

BTW good questions, good topic, good replies.


 

50ish;
I think I get what you are asking.

No, it doesn't mean that at all.
A "companion and/or pet" quality pup
may be considered that for a number of things:
-structure (for showline people, fronts/shoulders & croups are a big issue),
-coat type (long, mole etc),
-pup may just be a nice laid back hang out type pup as opposed to the one who is
already figuring out how to venture off into the big world before even walking etc.
-undesended testicle
-over/under bite

You will need to ask the breeder you ultimatley choose what they consider
deems a puppy "companion" quality.

Whatever the reason may be, a good breeder will make you aware of why
that puppy is graded as such. Nothing should be undisclosed to you.

Hope that helps

50ish, most breeders evaluate their litters before placing their puppies. Generally dogs that are sold as "pets" have some sort of minor feature that would preclude it from doing well in the show ring or not the right temperament to make a good performance dog.  Maybe the coat is too long and soft, maybe too short and open, the ear set might not be exactly right, the dog may be too laid back for sport.  Sometimes breeders make a breeding for a specific characreristic and keep the dog that best meets that expectation and place the rest in pet homes. None of these are things that will affect the dog's health status or prevent it from being a great companion dog. 

In the case of a dog that tested as a DM carrier most breeders would not not want that dog bred unless it were bred to a normal, so they would want to err on the side of caution and ask that the dog not be bred at all and would place it as a pet with an owner who had no intentions of breeding. 

If you decide to talk to Heidi about a dog, she can tell you why she has made a specific breeding and how she decides which of her puppies are show/breeding prospects vs which she places in pet homes.