Keeping track of Health Problems in the Breed - Page 2

The OFA DM Dna Test has been added to the Heaven's Gate questionnaire, for those of you with unregistered or rescue GSDS.

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  

Just curious...

With so many concerned about health problems in the breed, why arent more people particpating on the GSDBBR? I thought it could only benefit the breed, which is why I worked so hard on it and put so much effort into it. I thought it would be a wonderful tool for making more informed breeding choices, helping to avoid doubling up on health issues,  be a wonderful venue for researching health problems in addition to gathering info about the types of food fed, how that may impact health as well as what potential effects vaccinations may have upon health. Since all dogs die from SOMETHING and since there has never been a dog that NEVER had a health problem, what is the big deal with sharing info??? I am at a loss to understand the scant participation.. Someone? Anyone? I would appreciate input. 


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 

Breeders would have to admit they have a problem or problems.  That gets around and COULD affect their sales.  Pure and simple;  it's not about our dogs and info that might help them, it's hush, hush, don't want to admit there is a problem.  That is the way I see some breeders;  of course not all as there are some that do health testing and for that I thank you.  Nan

I know some want to keep things hushed, but then we go back to the fact that all dogs have problems- no dog has ever lived forever, no dog lives it life without any kind of a health problem, it dies of something, so I guess that is why I am so puzzzled.  Should we believe that all dogs die of old age in their sleep? LOL!

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  

I've got one of mine up so far :) I'll get the others up there soon..

I know you said just dogs that you own, but what about dogs that you have owned, that testing was done on your dime... can you enter those?

Melissa

-- > I know you said just dogs that you own, but what about dogs that you have owned, that testing was done on your dime... can you enter those?

Thank you, Melissa :) One can only enter the dogs they own. I did that to stop any possible conflicts between parties who have had disagreements and might use it as avenue to get even with another. I did give that quite a bit of thought, before putting up the Registry, and felt that allowing dogs to be entered by anyone but their owners could put the Registry into a he said/she said situation, which could end up compromising the Registry. I felt there was too much at stake-  the risk/reward just wasnt worth the price to be paid if even one person abused it.

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  

Bump for a healthier future for the breed and for sharing health info...
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  

Just my two cents worth: While it is laudable to keep track of these genetic issues, I agree with Nan's GSD in that some breeders will be loath to register their dogs because of some real or perceived fear of a problem. We've all seen a thread or two of breeders who knowingly continue to breed an animal that has defective offspring. Also, a lot of breeders say that if you are going to breed you should do a battery of tests that include issued that are statistically rare within the breed. Yet, they don't themselves do all they preach. IMPO, they are trying to discourage anyone who could compete for their slice of the market, much in the way that some breeders refer to their perceived competition from upstarts.

While I'm all for detecting and registering defects that are genetically passed on (that does not include random ones), I worry that breeders will start breeding based on not passing those traits at the cost of breeding with the "whole dog" in mind. That is how we get dogs with stellar hips who lack prey drive, the necessary aggression or nerves to be of any use, anywhere, doing anything. As a matter of fact, some dogs that flunk their hip examinations lead healthy lives while dogs who pass occasionally end up developing hip problems. Let's not mention that some outstanding performing dogs had less than perfect hips.

IMPO, while I'm all for creating a database at the SV or National level, this (health screenings) should be a substantial factor in the process for selecting a breeding animal, but care should be taken to not let it obfuscate the more important objective of breeding a dog that meets the breed standards in conformation, character and temperament. These are animals and, like us, are far from perfect creatures and by narrowing the gene pool we don't do any great favors to the breed. Dogs that do turn up positive for hip problems and other issues should be neutered or spayed to retire them from breeding.

The Registry is open to all- not just breeders, so individuals can also help protect the breed by entering any problems encountered by their own dogs. I find the whole notion of secrecy to be puzzling, because everything that lives will always encounter some kind of problem in their lives.  My goal was not to eliminate all dogs from a breeding pool that has problems, because that would be ridiculous. Thats would be impossible- no dogs would be left.. LOL! My goal was to be able to give people knowledge in order to avoid doubling up on problems in the lines.  Again, since all dogs develop some kind of problem, or another, throughout the course of their lives, one could then *pick their poison*. MY *poison* may not be yours. I have dogs that have bloated and have had dogs with allergies, DM, bad elbows, cancer, but MY poison is DM. That, to me, is the worst. It may not be, to you. If even ONE dog could be saved by not doubling up on a problem, I will have made tremendous progress in reaching my goal. I promised my departed dogs that I would watch over their kind. This is my way of keeping my promise.. I hope to see this embraced by all, one day. I do not want to die with my promises unkept. I need to know that what I have attempted to do will make a difference. otherwise, I have failed. I dont do failure, well, so I simply refuse to fail :(

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

I have sent out a mass mailing to inform those of you who entered your dogs upon the GSDBBR that you are now able to update  your entries with the OFA DM DNA test information, if you havent done so already. If you have lost your confirmation emails, this new notice will aloow you to get back in to edit your entries. Please keep the email that is being sent to you, so you can edit in the future, as needed. The email is being sent from sunsetat@ as that is the server where the GSDBBR is hosted. Please update your entries, as that is the only way the GSDBBR can work accurately.

Thank you :)

 because that is where the GSDBBR is hosted. b  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