Hello List,
I am emerging from the cotton wool in which I was buried these last
days managing the marathon show weekends, kids, dogs, horses, etc.
Anne, I must respectfully disagree with your statement below. While I
do fully test my dogs and their results are available to any who ask for
whatever reason, I DO think that advertising that *my* dogs are
"healthier" implies that I'm doing something different than any other
breeder would/should do. You were at the CNE health clinic where I
assisted in the heart clinic; there were many people there to test that
day, and a good many clear hearts (though I think fairly young dogs
under five). A good many of those breeders take for granted that it
should be done, but don't advertise that their pups are from "heart
cleared" parents. Why? In my mind there is an inference for the buyer
that somehow the progeny will be healthier, safer and live longer. We
all know that this isn't true. No matter how you inform your pet buyers
that MVD and other genetic traits may crop up in your breeding program
and are polygenetic, you can TELL that the pet buyer feels some measure
of false security in buying from "tested" parents. This is less fair
than preparing them for the possibility of ill dogs. I hear lots of
shouting that the pet buyers want reassurance and we can do something
about that. Of course.....we cannot really do a thing about it. Not
yet, at any rate.
I had many pet buyers stop to talk to me these last shows and heard
LOTS of stories about what they are being told. It is amazing to me
that some think that MVD isn't a problem for "some" breeders, especially
if they test their dogs. I even heard that from a couple today who had
a Cavalier who came down with MVD at age three...the mother of their
Cavalier came down with MVD at the same age, but somehow they felt
reassured that even though their pet had MVD it would still live longer
because even though the mother had MVD, the mother had been TESTED.
Wishful thinking is one thing; denial based on soft pedaling a problem
is another.
You are correct that many testing are doing so for the improvement of
the breed; not for the buying public. In fact, I give NO health
guarantee when selling pets as I'm quite sure that my program will see
its share of MVD some day. I want any pet buyers to fully realize the
risk that they are taking in buying a Cavalier (or for that matter any
other breed). I want them to know that they will likely have vet bills
for something along the way, and I do not want to assume them. In the
many years that I have been buying horses and dogs I have always done a
preliminary vet check prior to buying and assumed the risk of anything
that happens later on. That is not to say I won't be there if
something happens; surely I would help anyone in trouble (my dogs or
not) and take back any dog I bred. It is just a different perspective.
We are using a new protocol that is not a proven program which will
hopefully delay onset to some degree. I heartily advocate testing, but
for the pet buyers on this list I advise them to realize that every
breed has genetic problems and the heart protocol is new, and will only
tell the breeders that the parents don't have a murmur the day that they
are tested.
Some thoughts on this incredibly emotional thread.
-no sane breeder wants health problems in their program
-this includes breeders in other countries
-advertising or bragging about a championship isn't always for the
reason of promoting stud fees or selling show pups. I do not advertise
my studs and they are not at public stud; nor am I advertising in any
magazine to sell show pups. I do, however, get great joy out of success
in showing and it is FUN to share that.
-beating each other about the head and shoulders about testing this and
that is not going to promote testing or sudden enlightenment. It IS
going to promote bad feelings between clubs, countries and breeders to
the extent that less will be shared and not more.
-people listen far more to whispers than shouts.
-the best teacher is experience, and for those with lots of it you can
be sure that they have had their share of joy and sorrow and are hoping
for less sorrow and more joy. That is the motivator.
Suze
Cavatibs wrote:
>
> Whilst listing Champions & judging credentials is a statement of fact, it is
> also a form of self promotion. It is a form of bragging. I see no reason why
> breeders should not do this if they wish. However, when others publish their
> good health test results, either in advertising form or in a Health/Heart
> Registry, they are often ridiculed and accused of using this as a sales pitch
> to sell their puppies. And advertising one's Champions is not a sales pitch
> for encouraging people to use the dog at stud or to sell puppies?
>
> If keeping health test results a secret is a breeder's policy, then Champions
> and show wins should also be kept secret.
>
> Anne
>
--
Suze at Llawen Cavaliers
"...I have seen that in any great undertaking it is not enough for a man
to depend simply upon himself." -Isna Ia-wica
"Thought comes before speech" Luther Standing Bear
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