I have to admit that I don't know of any reputable breeder who tests that advertises healthier puppies thru testing. In fact I have seen the tag line IN HOPES of producing healthier puppies or some such thing. I have no problem with that as persoanlly I feel it to be true. But I think experience and knowledge also factor in - as there are dogs who have been known to produce certain problems as well as certain lines with better longevity and you can only learn such things thru the exchange of information.
I would have to disagree that polygenetic diseases cannot be "helped along" over a period of time. If that was the case the OFA wouldn't be working so hard with many breed clubs to decrease the incidence of hip dysplasia. Look at what the Boykin Club accomplished with their HD results. In the US we have had such a different gene pool to base our foundation stock on than many other countries. Thru postings from some of the breeders in Australia and New Zealand we know they have been more fortunate in their f oundation stock (or at least in my opinion :o) for longevity. So many of their generations of particolors go back into the old Homerbrents. The US was not so fortunate as I can't recall any foundation breeding stock coming to this country from the same lines. I am amazed to hear breeders selling puppies without a health guarantee of some kind. WOW! Whether you pay $800 or $8000 - that is a lot of money and a lot of heartache for the buyers if something goes wrong. If you give no health guarantees, don't feel that testing is worth squat - I am curious as to why you feel you are doing a service to the public by selling puppies? Barb Hoorman Benchmark Cavaliers - TX ========================================================= "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.
