Health tests

[CayceV]

I'm taking Sadie to get her heart, thyroid, and eyes tested tomorrow. Any advice??? I've never done this before.

[koni]

Never had any tests done on Koni, so I can't be of any help. Are you just taking the tests to check the outcomes, like a routine checkup?

[CayceV]

We're doing them as we're hoping to be able to breed her in the future. That's only if she passes all over her health tests though. And we're going to work towards getting her some points in the show ring as well.

[pung-yo]

Isn't the OFA the ones to certify the eyes and health? More importantly, why do you want to breed your dog in the first place?

[rutylr]

how old is the dog?
Eyes have to be done every year so should only be done just before breeding.The heart,and Thyriod can be done early,but the hips and elbows are done at 2 years.
More importantaly are you also going to put titles on the dog.The dog should be bred after obtaining all health clearences and titles.
Don't get nervous.It will not change the results.And your dog will feel it to.

[CayceV]

Yes, it is OFA that certifies these things, as far as I know. Sadie is a year and a half. I know hips and elbows are done later, which is why she is not getting them done now. I did say that we are planning to show her, so yes, titles are in the plans. She will ONLY be bred if she passes ALL her health tests with flying colours. We're working on titles. I want to breed her to better the breed - not simply because she's cute and I love her. I bought her as a show dog and a potential breeding dog. Both her parents had all the appropriate health testing done and passed, her sire has titles; her dam does not, but that was simply because the owner is incompetent in the show ring and there's not many in her area that do catch handling - so it was no fault with the dog. If she fails even one test, she will be spayed.

[pung-yo]

Cayce...if your dog is 11/2 yrs old, she should by now have her C.G.C. and her St.John's Ambulance certificates. Also her CD and CDX. She should be working towards utility by now. This would be the first step in recognizing if she is worth breeding. Do you so far have those titles on her?

[CayceV]

I've tried to get her in for the C.G.C. but both times we were scheduled to go she was in the middle of a heat cycle. So, obviously we couldn't. We're on the hunt for another one in the area to get her to. As for the other titles, the dog doesn't live with me so I'm just taking her for what my mom has specified she needs to do. All I wanted to know when I started this thread was if there was any advice from people regarding the health tests she's going to have done today, as I have never done this before.

[pung-yo]

I was under the impression she was your dog, but you say you don't live with the dog. You said you bought her, so why is your mom deciding the issues. yes, the health tests are very important but the others are just as important. You shouldn't breed a dog just on the basis of good health though, and I am not saying this to offend you in any way, the decision is yours....JMO.

[CayceV]

The dog is mine, but she is also my moms. We co-own her. She lives at my mom's house as I am not allowed to have dogs where I live.

The tests are done now and I won't be updating this topic anymore as I didn't get what I was looking for anyways.

thanks