Dog Breeders

[dgrminis]

Where do I get my dog tested for hip/eye certifications? Are there any other things he should be certified for if he were ever going to be used for breeding? He is an AKC chocolate lab....

I am not sure he will ever be used for breeding but we have had several people ask if we would be interersted in studding him out but before I would even consider it I would want to have him tested for all the appropriate genetic tests.... But I need to know what they all are and where to get them tested at...

Thanks for any help...

 

[mininik]

I would start here: http://www.thelabradorclub.com

 

[Katiean]

The vet did my cockers eye cert.

 

[Matt73]

Here in Ontario, Canada a vet will do the tests and send them to the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph. They issue certification (or not). In the U.S., I believe it's the same process but the results are sent to The Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). I would do hips, elbows, and eyes (and anything other areas Labs may be prone to developing disease).

 

[dgrminis]

Thanks... I had wondered if it was something my regular vet could do...I assumed there would be some forms through AKC that I would have to fill out but when I looked on their site I couldnt find anything so I didnt know... I will have to give my vet a call and find out if I need anything before he can do them or not... I am getting ready to schedule his yearly shots anyways so might as well get that stuff done at the same time if I can

I appreciate the help...

 

[ShaunaL]

Good for you for looking into health testing before breeding. It is very important, imo. There are so many dogs in the world, my personal feeling is there we should not add to it unless we are doing the very best we can, with quality animals that are of proper structure, temperament and health. My husband and I own an animal hospital (cats, dogs, exotics) and we see SO MANY health issues that are genetically passed to offspring. We recommend OFA hips/cardiac/patellas/elbows/thyroid. We also recommend PennHIP (another hip test but looks at different things than OFA) and CERF eye testing. There are some other, more breed-specific tests also. Some breeds are more prone to various issues than others but all breeds suffer from the above in varying degrees. Your regular vet can perform some of these tests, if experienced. Other tests you may have to find a specialist. For example., cardiac testing should be done by a specialist or at the very least by a vet who is quite experienced in doing OFA Cardiac. The test is far more than a vet just listening to your dog's heart before vaccines. AKC shows often offer health clinics with specialists so look into that as well. For PennHIP testing the vet/tech must be PennHIP certified, as my husband and I are.

I have some explanations of the tests on my website http://www.ravenloftkennels.com/apbthealthinformation.htm I hope it's ok to post the link - nothing for sale on the site, just info! The OFA site is www.offa.org Lots of good info on there. The PennHIP site is http://research.vet.upenn.edu/Default.aspx...enn.edu/pennhip There is a list of certified people on there. Feel free to PM or email me if you have any other questions, health testing is something I am very interested in