> MVD, HD, patella problems and eye problems are far more prevalent. Hence the reason the recommendation to examine dogs for these diseases prior to breeding IS highly recommended and encouraged - not only in Cavaliers but in ALL breeds. Since this is the case in the USA > with recommendations from veterinary professionals and specialists, and since I am producing animals that will affect the lives of, not only the individual puppies, but also the lives of their owners, why would I not take the advice and check these dogs for the extremely > common, inherited diseases?
I think we all need to be reminded that the reason people did not test in the past is because the tests weren't available and because hereditary factors weren't as well known--not because it wasn't a good thing. The same goes for making test results easily available--people didn't realize modes of inheritance and just plain did not realize how important this information was to all breeders until the last 10 years or so. We also need to be reminded that we do know a lot more about modes of inheritance and genetics today and that testing is being made more available each and every year. This is the way of the future. It is not going to go away. Testing is going to become more and more prevalent--in fact some countries are making it mandatory in certain instances. Right or wrong--the idea is that this information is important to know if we really want to improve the health of our dogs (we already use this same type of information to improve the type of our dogs). Again--it is not going to go away. It is going to become more and more prevalent. I guess the the thing to ponder is whether some breeders are going to embrace these ideas sooner--or later--not whether or not it should be done. Laura Trunk Roycroft Cavaliers ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 1999 by its original author.
