First E-Newsletter from the O.F.A. - Page 1

I know that we discuss successful hip evaluation a lot here, and although there is no real statistical data in this first newsletter, there are some statements concerning the success of preliminary evaluations that should be read. If you did not receive a copy via e-mail, you can use this link: http://www.offa.org/enewssept2006.pdf Bob-O

Bob-O, thanks for the exellent reference. This first newsletter lays out the great value of properly used prelimenary hip x-rays. Xraying puppies at 16 weeks gives one a very good prediction. I have found that even xraying at 12 weeks is a good idea and is also as predictive. Now that this information is available puppy buyers will need to perhaps pay a bit more for the priviledge of sales delayed until this point until the puppy's adult hip status can be reliably predicted. Perhaps the idea of an arrangement where the puppy buyer assumes the cost of the xray, and pays a bit more for the breeder to keep the puppy longer until it is 12 weeks old and then has the OFA xray done (perhaps having a right of first refusal contract in place after a down payment covering the xray and extra care for 8weeks to 12 weeks is added). Just an idea of how to best deal with this groundbreaking new research the OFA has reported publicly in their first newsletter.

Preston, I agree. I have been tempted to ask a breeder to enter a different type of contract with me where I would pay a non-refundable deposit, and the breeder agrees to keep the puppy for a specified number of weeks at a set price for room, board, and immunizations, and let the final purchase be determined by the results of the preliminary x-ray. I have just never done it, as I purchase very few young puppies. But after the last puppy I purchased (his preliminary findings were "fair" at six months, but he had other issues that caused me to return him) I intend to try this to see if I can obtain a bit better warranty. Maybe more people will demand this and force breeders to comply if they wish to make a sale. But, from a breeder's standpoint it will certainly remove some of the grey areas from a purchase agreement, i.e., if the hips were "good" at the time of sale, then the owner probably did not raise the puppy properly. I see it as a win-win for both sides. Bob-O

Have you been made aware of most recent AKC/Petland Contract? Rather frightening prospect for the future. It is also possible to do elbow prelims on pups with good forecast. Elbows close at about 6 months. For the breeder, sending in hip/elbow X-rays on a litter (the more the better) is given a reduced rate with OFA. OFA wants to continue the research.

sunshine, thanks for the news on the predictability of early elbow screening. Also, thanks for making note of the new AKC/Petland contract. I have to see if I can find it on the AKC web site. I have been using 9 months old as an absolute minimum for xraying for anconeal process closure, but it's good to hear one can now screen earlier. Bob-O, I saw the photos of your new Dog Wino and they look good. Congratulations on acquiring such a fine GSD. Please keep me informed on his producing ability.

Bob-O, you have some very good ideas here on what should be done to protect the puppy buyer without creating an undue financial strain on the breeder. I think you are correct, the breeder has a lot to gain by being willing to keep the puppy until all screening tests can be done, if the buyer agrees to pay for the extra room & board and vaccinations, and xrays and lab tests, and if the buyer agrees to a certain purcaghse price given all tests are normal as specified in a contract by a licensed Vet's diagnoses, with the buyer having a right to forfeit the lab, xray, extra boarding, and vaccination costs (which were prepaid as a forfetable downpayment) if any of the lab tests or xrays turn out normal or if the puppy fails any part of the Vet's standard examination (skeletal abnormality, heart abnormality, obvious temperament fault, etc. as specified in the contract).

my computer hates PDF files, I could not open it. But am very interested in this, will go to the OFA site and see what I can find. Bob-O I would love to see breeders keeping puppies longer, We don't let our pups leave until after 9 to 10 weeks as it is, However 2 more weeks would be just dandy as well. Innoculations would be well in place, and Temperaments, (drives as well) would be easier to determine at this age as well. Great Post, You've got my attention ! Thank You Bob-O for brining this to the table for discussion.

I have long believed that breeders should not be selling pups at 8 weeks. However, in our state, regulations in some cities require that pups be sold at 8 weeks. State law prohibits taking pups from the mother any earlier, but too often people simply want the money and want to get rid of the pups. As a person who has bred very rarely, because appropriate homes are not easy to find for good representative GSDs, I see that it can be easy to misunderstand any given pups temperament. I have a good case in point at this time. My last litter had one male who, as a young pup at 6 -8 weeks was relatively quiet, not pushy, not the instigator of play etc. A friend of mine suggested I call him "Chill" just because he was so mellow. At about 10 weeks old it was as if someone had turned on a switch and his personality really flowered. He is the dog out of the litter now who is constantly begging for interaction, wants to play hard and long, is most attentive to me and most confident of the 4 pups. The female who early on was climbing out of the whelping box at 4 weeks is still displaying her same traits, but is less forward than the male who was so quiet. As for keeping pups, yes, there are many reasons. For one, I make sure they have had necessary vaccinations, exams, etc., but I also know more about the dog and can make a better judgement about the kind of home the dog should have. I also insist on early x-rays, and whether I do them or the new owner did them, I have, with limited litters, found that early x-rays are predictive of joint health. Finally, socialization of the GSD is so critical that I find too often even well meaning people buy a pup, take good care of it at the home, but fail to expose it to anything outside the home. All too often these dogs then are uncomfortable and aggressive with people both at home and outside the home when the owner does take the dog out. I have many requests to take GSDs into my rescue program, including one now which is illustrative of my point. A family has a 16 month old female, have isolated the dog, and done no training or socialization and now the dog has bitten someone and they want to dump it. Sadly, too few people understand that reputable rescues can NOT accept dogs into their program who have bitten someone or attacked another animal. This owner is now faced with making sure he gets appropriate help for training and socialization, and keeping the dog contained or the dog will end up being put down. Even if the owner takes the dog back, the dog should never be trusted. But with a responsible owner, this probably would not have happened. And with a responsible breeder who kept the dog longer, chances are the dog would also have received better socialization with people and other dogs. All my pups spend a lot of time with their siblings, and when old enough and bigger, are introduced slowly and one on one with older dogs. I do not have other dog aggression problems. I apologize for the long post. But there are a lot of reasons to keep pups longer.....

Howdy, very interesting post. To do prelims on elbows at 6 month is something totally new for me. My understanding is to do prelims on the hips at 6 month, to see if it is safe to do "light work " with the pup. Still does not mean the hips will be "a1" at 12 month, even if they looked fine at 6 month. To do prelims on elbows before the age of 12 month, was useless because of the limeted sight of the joint. This is how my vet explained it. One could see something and do annother x-ray next day and see something totally different. As to how long a breeder should keep the pups, i can say here in Germany a breeder is not allowed to give a pup away before the pup is 8 weeks of age. Most of the time the buyers are so eager to get their new companion, they hardly can wait these 8 weeks ! If you are selling the pup to the US, you better ship them before they hit 12 weeks, otherwise they have to get their rabies shots ant have to stay annother 30 days ! I can agree with hodie in many ways, just one thing : no matter what a breeder will do with a pup and how good care he takes of a pup ..... the result of what that dog will become at the end is not up to him. He can lay the foundation in regards to his breedings and the proper upbringing of the pups, but if the new home is not up to the task of raising that pup properly, all his efforts are down the drain ! We have all seen it happening, and were mad & sad about it ! Thank you Bob for that link, i will check it out. Kind Regards Ulli Dresbach

quote: As a breeder, I would be willing to do this, I think it's a great idea at least for puppy buyers who are getting the pup for working purposes. Great idea IMO. molly