Epilepsy question - Page 4

Mackenzie I completely agree. There is no doubt that Germany has epileptics. I have had a look at this VA dog now, I am astonished that these lines appear in a modern VA dog, I really am. Maybe we could hear from John who stated that a breeder may consider such a dog to be 'right' for their programme as to the reasons why that might be the case, whilst at the same time not wanting anyone to 'name' the dog on this forum. If there is a good reason for using a dog with lines to 4 epileptic producers, stand up and be counted and offer those reasons, if you choose to make that breeding decision then don't be too surprised that others may question the value and integrity of it. Once a dog goes VA, he starts having far more influence......

The expression "witch hunt" has unfortunately being used now every time someone "reveals" lines that carry Epilepsy, spin it on its head though, and the one who reveals what is in the lines, usually the Pet Owner is the one that has a witch hunt against them, we ourselves have been accused of going on a witch hunt against breeders, and maybe we have if that means by exposing their lines that carried Epilepsy, and eventually took the life of our beloved Megan, call it what you like but these Breeders knew of the health issues proven to be in these lines, and used them regardless of the outcome, Megan being one, and sadly we failed, because, no matter how Public we shared what she went through, these Lines today are still producing Epilepsy and that is a fact.
People get so carried away on what lines have been exposed and protecting each others back that they forget all about the dog that is suffering and dying from this condition.
Recently a young Family lost their Beloved dog, all German lines from Primary Epilepsy, the dog was not even two years old, will it be made public, sadly not at this time, as they are afraid of the accusations they will get thrown at them.
If Breeders choose to carry on with a Breeding program knowing that Epilepsy is in their lines, that is ultimately their choice sadly it becomes someone else's heartache, whatever happened to the primary concern of the Breed they profess to love.

John and Margaret

Firstly can I state " a witch hunt that sometimes follows " were the words I wrote not that this topic was a "witch hunt", I can see why people leave the forum when they are taken to task on things they are supposed to have quoted. Also that Abby has now had a look and investigated the pedigree which could have been done before to find out who the dog is ( this I did suggest). Breeders have considered the use of this dog and have used him, and I did not use the word "MAY" use the dog. As for the future the dog has now had a progeny group at the Sieger Show entered and presented. Once again I say those who wish to use this dog will continue to do so. The blood line implicated with regards to this dog has been widely used for many years and to date I have not heard of any problems ( normally you would hear something) .This is not saying I agree with the use of these lines but only stating facts which are available to us in the world of GSD`s. As others have commented, the German bloodlines have been  in use for over 100 years and  when it comes to discussing Epilepsy we know very little about the German dogs
, as no one admits or wants to go public on the issue, will things change , I doubt it.
John Ward

John

I accept the corrections to your statement. You have not addressed the most important point as to where puppy buyers fit into to this 'withholding' of information (or any other for that matter which may be relevant to a particular potential health issue), bearing in mind they may not begin to know how to look into a pedigree and find the relevant information even if they knew what dogs might have been implicated in such things historically, which most would not. They are in fact the most important part of the whole equation, along with the dog. Between them they are the ones that have to live (or in the dog's case, die) with the result if it all goes wrong.

As you say, breeders have chosen to use dogs with these lines in the pedigree for their own reasons, why is there such unwilllingness to be very transparent about them for the sake of the puppy buyer, or the novice breeder starting out? As you say yourself at the end of your post, when it comes to epilepsy we know very little about the German dogs (not only about epilepsy). So why is this secrecy allowed to prevail?  We cannot change that in Germany, but we need not empower it or let it flourish elsewhere.

What type of 'witch hunt' do you suppose 'may' follow the naming of the dog under discussion on this topic? As you say, those who wish to use this dog will continue to do so - so what is the problem letting those who would purchase puppies have the full sp?