Keeping Track of Health Problems in the Breed - Page 3

Everyone does the damage by not participating in the German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry :( Can you only imagine the information and massive amount of data we would have had, that would be available to all, if everyone had participated. John Lennon's song "imagine" keeps going through my mind, as well as TS Eliot's words..
Footfalls echo in the memory
Down the passage which we did not take
Towards the door we never opened
Into the rose-garden.

bump

Bump!
For those of you making entries, please make sure you look for your confirmation email- you must confirm your entry, or it will disappear! Please check your spam folders in case the code for your confirmation ends up in your spam folders. I see people from Germany have entered their dogs, but did not confirm their entires. As a result, their entries disappeared :( Confirmation is another step to maintain the integrity of the GSDBBR!

bump for the breed...

I think no one wants to enter their data because there are a lot of Carriers out there and they don't want it known which ones are carriers as it could likely kill their puppy sales. I know some just don't want to know if their dogs are carriers.  There are also those that have tested and just keep it quiet except to those they may breed their dog to if those folks ask them if the dogs have been tested.

If no one thinks the tests prove anything though, then why test for DM in our breed at all? I think it is a starting place and yes I wish there was more research and not just taking for granted that clear to clear = clear, but for now that is what we have.
I have had some recent puppy buyers asking if parents are tested as they have lost their dog to DM. I also think it hits dogs much younger than old age like some say.

If you test and have a carrier, and tell people, they tend to shy away. So hopefully, those breeding will at least make sure their dogs are done and ask the stud owners for proof their dog is also done before breeding. Some good Studs out there doing a lot of breeding, and likely producing affected dogs, especially in heavy line breeding.
 

But Weezy, you're totally overlooking the fact that the registry JUST a DM database.  Yes, DM is what gave marjorie the initial impetus to establish the GSDBBR, but that isn't the only health issue the site tracks for breeders and owners who utilize it--owners are asked to enter ALL medical issues and evaluation results.

I understand that Hexe, it helps to be able to look up other health issues if the owners/breeders will enter such information, but then again, wouldn't that let people know there are those problems with said dogs/lines and not want to breed to them..That could knock out some big stud dogs and maybe their lines...$$$$  Once it's out there--IT's out there!
It would likely improve the health of the dogs we do have, and rule out some of the good working lines and showlines that are passing on these health issues, The DM, heart, hips/elbows,TV, whelping problems, IE--failure of uterus to contract even in younger females,etc. 
I was just stating why I think so many are not posting their information. Not saying it is right. 
Marjorie has a good heart, and a great idea for making the breed healthier, now others need to help out but will they?
Yes, I have tested all mine. getting ready to do another one.  When it is all done, I plan on posting the info on her site.
I have also been printing off information about DM, hips/elbow dysplasia and giving it in the puppy kits to my buyers. it's a start.
Weezy.





 

the other purpose of the registry is to avoid doubling up on problems. Problems get magnified when doubled up on, so a simple switch to a different sire or dam who do not produce the SAME problems  will cut down on the incidences of occurrence.. This is not to say they should be knocked out of the gene pool- just not bred to a dog that has thrown  the very same problems in THEIR lines, as well. Is it a cure all, no- will it help, damn right... I wish pet people would also participate, for they dont breed so they can only help by entering their dogs. Last but not least, it is also nice to know which lines produce long lived dogs. Every dog that is born, dies, just as everything else in the world. There is no dog that has never developed ANY condition, so why not share, so it wont be doubled up on?????? I cannot, for the life of me, understand why people would be hesitant- even breeders, for in the long run, they will make more money and sales if their lines are healthier and long lived..

My dog's sire was tested for DM after I purchased my dog. In fact, I just found out about it..The result was a clear, but does that make me breathe easier- nope- not a bit, because I dont believe the test  is valid for GSDS, as I have said all along. The test result brings me no peace, at all. A dog in his lines died from DM, I recently found out... so much for the clear... show me generational studies where dogs have been followed, as well as their progeny, for generations.  Right now its just a selling point with no science behind it- just $$$$$$$$$$ for all concerned.

Hi there, US people! Fans of the GSD!
I've been reading this topic just now.
Know that Marjorie doesn't stand alone. Over here, the Netherlands, we're trying to tackle the problems as well.
We have started a health foundation named Stichting Gezonde Duitse Herder (Foundation for Healthy German Shepherds).
The foundation is not just focusing on DM, but on all health problems. Although DM and Dwarfism are presently our spearheads.
We have an open database where one can enter his dog, under strict conditions for liability reasons. Dogs have been registered from Germany and the Netherlands.
But visible for all! So 'sick' dogs are being registered as well as the healthy ones. This is important, so that not only the problematic dogs show up.
Also, we ask owners to report about illnesses during the whole life of the dog.
Breeders don't like it, although the foundation has been set up by breeders, because anyone may now conclude which dams or sires are clear, carrier or worse (for any test conducted).
The GSD club in the Netherlands (VDH) and the German parent club (SV) do oppose as much as they can. The SV has now published a report in which they deny DM to be a problem although experts range it in the category 'aggressive diseases'.
However, as stated, the foundation goes beyond DM. It tries to collect data, so that in time, after 5 or 10 years, it will be able to supply proven figures.
The website of the foundation is now gradually being translated into English as well (http://www.gezondeduitseherder.nl).

Meanwhile, keep supporting Marjorie's good work, please.

Info: There is something brewing at the universities in Germany and Belgium. We could have a test for HD rather soon!