Re: [labradoodles] genetic test.

[Ron & Holly Miller]

Charles   Yes, I still test for peace of mind plus it is a fact that a dog that has parents with excellent hips can throw a puppy that has HD - what if you kept that puppy and then bred it and know you have contaminated your lines.  Plus when ever we bring in a new dog to expand our lines we test them also.  It just helps us to sleep better to know that we are trying everything we can to produce healthy puppies.  It is also true that HD can be environmental - concrete, steps, running, accidents.... this is unfortunately just a fact that everyone who breeds dogs knows they must deal with. ----- Original Message ----- From: Charles Fowler To: labradoodles@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 9:38 AM Subject: Re: [labradoodles] genetic test. Question to the Group,  ?  If your breeding stock and lines you use have never had any hip problems, as in zero, nor had any blindness as in zero .. Would you still test?   Secondly,, Growing up on a farm and raising hogs on a confinement system i saw how "evnironmental"conditions affect animals. We now raise them totally on dirt, Just like they used too.   We refuse to put our dogs on concrete or wire, And we let them run often, -   If you talk to any person who works a job standing on concrete all day and guess what  ?   They have knee and joint problems, Are dogs any different....??   Just some thoughts, Charlie birdwalk <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: more expensive than refunding $ is the emotional cost to breeder and owner as well as to have a dog go through the pain of something that potentially could have been avoided.   testing is no guarantee but is sure is better than not knowing and breeding an existing problem into the next generation   I go 140 miles each way for eye checks - so what?   my local vet is capable of taking an x-ray and mailing it to ofa   my local vet can take a blood sample or mouth swab and mail it off.   pennHip is special as you can get better results younger and it does take a specially trained vet and more x-rays so of course cost more - may be harder to find a vet that can do it - however it offers a great option to many folks beyond OFA.      we will prelim with ofa before breeding if we breed under 2 years of age with final results again at 2 years or more. I find the knowledge worth paying twice.   it has nothing to do with loving your dogs and pups and finding them the best people to live with.  It has everything to do with trying be sure the pup is as healthy as possible with a chance for a long life free of pain or blindness.     Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/labradoodles/   To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]   Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.