> I take potential sire A to a cardiologist and get a "clearance" at age > 2.5, have done his hips (lets say they are fair but no displasia), > patellas are fine and he has been cleared by CERF. Let's even go > further and say that I know his parents are "heart clear" at age five. > He's a nice fellow and temperament "tests" (by some standard or other) > just fine. What I might not mention is that his line is known for > epilepsy, his "proving litter" at age one had two offspring with severe > allergy/immune problems and on the dam's side (also has her > "clearances") there seems to be some difficulty with cancer, PDA murmurs > and overbite.
And THAT is the gist of the whole problem--the part non-breeders do not and cannot understand. ALL individual dogs and ALL lines have health defects and weaknesses. If we concentrate on some, others will increase or surface. The WHOLE dog and the WHOLE picture must be looked at at all times. It is a constant balancing act. First go this way, then go that way. NO dog is even close to perfect! Laura Lang ========================================================= "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.
