Re: [labradoodles] Testing breeding stock

[Mary Burkovich]

Title: Re: [labradoodles] new group

I agree Adrienne. Many people comment and say that breeders test their dogs more and worry more about producing offspring with problems that HUMANS do when they decided to have children. ANd yes...this is true...but My comment to them is just like yours....we  produce dogs as a commondity to sold and that's the difference. I am spaying a female breeding dog next month because she was diagnosed with Autoimmune Hypothyroidism (the disease can't be diagnosed ahead of time...only when it actually surfaces). I did contact the puppy owners to tell them becuase I felt it was the responsible thing to do. Much to my surprise I received comments back from some owners who were surprised that I would spay her for a disease that is not all that bad or life threatening and can be 100% controlled with synthetic hormones.  Autoimmune Hypothyroidism is genetic and I can't in all good conscience breed her.  This dog as a puppy cost me $10,000 2 yrs ago from Rutland Manor. Will I get a refund or replacement pup? Highly unlikely since she has been bred even though I do feel I should be compensated somehow. I did not spend $10K on a breeding female to retire her at age 2 !!      As far as Carla...I commend her for no longer breeding.   Yes...testing can be very expensive and you don't mind spending the money if the dog ends up being a breeding candidate but it's all the hundreds of dollars that can go into testing/raising/feeding/health care for breeding stock that end up with negative test results that make that dog no longer a candidate for breeding. These are real costs that are factored into the cost of breeding   I may be wrong...but I would suspect any who sells doodles for $500 would have to be cutting cormers somewhere. I spend $400 a month just to feed 5 dogs! (raw diet using the more expensive convience prepacked foods)    ANyways....just my comments thown in here    Mary Burkovich   Laurel Mountain Labradoodles http://laurelmountaindoodles.com ----- Original Message ----- From: adrienne guss To: labradoodles@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 11:28 AM Subject: Re: [labradoodles] new group The difference between people's children and breeding dogs is that, hopefully, your children's great-grandfather is not also their uncle and perhaps their father.  And, I presume, you don't sell your children.  I don't think you're comparing apples with apples.  Again, not looking for guarantees, just responsible, ethical breeding. Adrienne and Scoutie We have been raising labradoodles for 3  years. We have excellent stock and the criteria many people look for is really extreme. None of us would be perfect, nor would any of our kids if had them xrayed and tested before we took them home !!. 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.