I am a relatively new person in Cavaliers (only nine years), but I have been very active in the sport of dogs for about forty years. Breeders of the other breeds in which I am active are also concerned about the health of their dogs as am I. However, there are limits. I love to play with my dogs; we walk in the park several times a week; we play Frisbee; we play ball. I am really very pleased to say how robust my little guys are. I do test all breeding stock for MVD because I have been informed that it is a problem in the breed. I have also X-rayed those I intend to breed, because statistics say that there is a degree of hip dysplasia in our breed. CERF does not list cavaliers as having serious hereditary eye problems but I would test if I saw one of my dogs squinting or running into things or even weeping some, but so far all is clear in the eye department here. Everyone seems to know their mane and come when called. My oldest has a grade one murmur but not in need of medication. Her parents are still healthy and active at their advanced age so I don't worry too much.
My main concern is the fact that every time I sit down to my computer and read the messages on the list, the subjects make it seem that I am on a list of first year medical students. There are some people who seem to worry an inordinate amount about the health of their dogs and the poor critters are hauled off to the vet on a regular basis just to see if a test will turn up some exotic ailment to report. It almost sounds like a form of Munchausan's by Proxy. I'm sure this post will anger some of you, but I have wanted to comment on this for a long time but didn't want to rock the boat, I guess. Now, however, I would like to suggest that perhaps we could discuss on this list some things more optimistic and positive in nature. Maybe we could discuss why good tris are so hard to breed, some of the historical factors such as when and how we got the colors we have, or how much white, if any, is acceptable on the whole colors. I'd really like to know these things and more. Pat Ide ========================================================= "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 2002 by its original author.
