ATTENTION German Shepherd lovers - Page 1

This is for informational purposes only. I am not posting this in a malicious manner just want to inform people of my situation so I may be able to help people avoid my heart ache and agony.
In 2010 I purchased a beautiful GSD puppy from Patchwork Shepherds. By the time she was 8 months old she had been diagnosed by two orthopedic surgeons and my veterinary with hip dysplasia. Her Sire is Drake Vom Standhaft, Dam is Patchworks Black Pearl (aka Zoey). As per my contract I was offered and recieved a second ppuppy. By the time he was 5 months old he has been confirmed to have Elbow dysplasia, but most importantly he has Sub aortic Stenosis ( narrowing of aortic valve) in addition to ventricular arrhythmias. According to the cardiologist there is no surgery or treatment for the condition and my puppy is at risk for sudden death due to erratic arrhythmia. His Sire is BossVon Salix Traumhaus and Dam is Goldi Du chenil Belge. I am trying to deal with only facts on this forum so as to inform people, but cannot describe the heart ache I am struggling with for my beautiful babies. If any one wishes to discuss this further please feel free to contact me.

Look at some of Marjorie's threads.  she is starting a health database and her threads have the link.

Thank you Deanna, I wouldn't have posted kennel name except the breeder informed me that she plans on continuing to breed these dogs. I may be wrong, but I thought that once there is a puppy born with genetic problems that these dogs should not be breed again. I am not sure of all the " rules" but just don't want to see any more puppies have to suffer, or the people who love them.

"I may be wrong, but I thought that once there is a puppy born with genetic problems that these dogs should not be breed again."

I do not think that this statement is justified of all genetic diseases.

With HD, there are many factors. One should study the family tree; the percentage offspring with HD is more indicative but impossible to obtain.

yah..sad, sad story.

And not the only one I've heard about the patchwork saga.

According to OFA, Goldi's full sibling has DJD grade 2 of the elbows. Should that female even be bred?

"And not the only one I've heard about the patchwork saga."

Yep, and several people here were defending their breeding practices when I called them a BYB in this thread: http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/forum.read?mnr=632417-milos-necropsy-report

Maybe those folks should go re-read their comments and reconsider what I was trying to say in light of this new information.

I didn't know that about Goldis sibling..so frustrating.  Also, was wondering if it is okay to breed females every heat cycle?  Goldi gave birth in March to my boy and was being breed again in June/july according to Patchwork Website( she since has removed). I am not an expert but that seems like it would be difficult on the dog to recover. In emails from Patchwork they finally admitted to knowing of 3 litters that produced hip dysplasia from the sire and dam of my first puppy. Of course I found out all this imformation to late as now I am in love with my dogs and deal with their medical issues on a daily basis. I am trying to control the arrhythmias of my male but so far no medication seems to be working. Even if I do get them under control I still have to wait until he is a year old to have another echocardigram to see if his Aorta problem is worsening. And of course he limps around due to his elbow :-(  but he is sweet and is basically my shadow and I couldn't be more in love with him if I tried!
Thank you everyone for your comments and support, it is comforting to have this community.

Again, this is exactly what happens when people collect dogs and then breed every female to every male available in their facility without knowing crap about pedigrees.... it will show one day.
Good luck with your puppy...