Does anyone else see big red flags when- - Page 1

You see a 2+ year old dogs with hips only certified in ads?
Just curious, this was a topic of discussion (among many) over
dinner last night. To me, it's a little hard to believe someone would
spend the time and money to xray and certify hips but not elbows?
Or? those that advertise "xrays on file at vet" etc.

When I see that kind of thing, it makes me think that those missing 
elements indicate a problem is present. The actual certification isn't 
expensive at all, and if one is doing the hips, elbows are not that much
more, why wouldn't you? 
 

Elbows take too long to shoot ??? LOL

If I've learned only one thing on this board it is to always ask to see proof of claims. I don't understand either why elbows aren't as important as hips these days, but don't understand why GSD breeders don't take advantage of most of the other health checks that are appropriate either.

As a new person to the certification, until I got on this board I did not know about elbow certification.  Now that I have been better educated, before I spend high dollar on a pedigreed dog that I expect more than pet quality, I would expect certification for both hips and elbows.

as a side note, as I am pricing the X-ray costs, all of the vets are quoting for both hips and elbows (north Texas area).
 

There should not be any reason at all for not having the Elbows certified when having the Hips done plus the DNA; The cost should never enter into it if you want things done correctly. If anyone cannot afford to do the above then they should not be owning a dog at all
Steve1

what diseases do you check for via the DNA test? 

Steve, I think the part about one 'not owning a dog' is a bit harsh.
I'd agree that one should not be BREEDING that dog if they cannot 
'afford' to do hips and elbows though   

There are plenty of hobby and pet people that simply don't care about
OFA'ing their dogs, but they are also not breeding them. My advice to anyone
considering purchasing a puppy or dog from anyone is, ask to see proof, then
verify said proof. One cannot be too careful. Never take someone at their 'word'
that hips and elbows are 'ok', if they are 'ok', then certify them. 

Not that complicated. If you don't see them listed, ask. You want them certified, ask the seller to do so. If they won't do it, move on. 

I hope I never get so jaded that I assume everything not stated is not stated because someone's trying to dupe someone. Lots of people simply do hips first because they're more likely to be bad and not show symptoms than elbows are. If hips are good, then do elbows. If hips are bad, they stop there because why would they dump more money into a dog they're going to put in a pet home for little to no cost? This is the reasoning I hear most often when a dog has only hips listed. 

I never xray my pets. Why would I? Money wasted, unnecessary radiation, no real purpose. If they're a pet, they're staying no matter what. To say not spending $500 (that's what OFA is in my area for hips and elbows)  for something meaningless unless you are breeding means you shouldn't have a dog is asinine. 
 

workingdogz
You are right it is harsh, But i guess my mind is on the people who work there Dogs and breed from them, If that is the case then YES, Hips elbows and DNA; if only a pet dog then that is of course different. But my mind seems to work only one way and i never think of a dog just as a pet, Of course i think the world of them and would give my right arm to see they were well and cared for, but my mind is on a dog that works or in some cases for breeding that is why i made that statement.
Steve1

It's ok Steve, I understand. You have a very common mindset about the breed
being you are located in such an active sport area. People are oft times shocked
at the types of breedings that go on here in NA. Personally, I agree with you, however,
I also have many business associates and friends who have 'pets', so see things from
both sides of the coin. You also have to keep in mind, in our country some 'breeders'
think that their dog is working & breedable because it can do obedience on picnic tables
etc in their own backyard