Are health tests neccessary?

The header is a question I was asked recently because the costs of health testing is now taking more money from a litter than a breeder can make.  So there are two thoughts, are they really neccessary so at least you make money?  But also are the neccessary because not all are proof the dog wont get the health issue.  So let's just have a look at both questions which were raised to me this week. 

Firstly lets look at they are not proof a dog wont get the health issue. 

To a degree this is correct with some health tests.  It has no bearing if your puppy will develop for example Hip dysplasia if the parents have low scores.  It doesn't and Id love to be the one to say its makes all the difference in the world.  But....I have to believe that over time of low scores the chances are that eventually it could do away with HD.   It is a poly genic health issue which means it's not just a gene from mum and a gene from dad which produces it. The experts state its hundreds of genes come together.  Thats dreadfully bad luck to happen.   But the dog also has other outside influences which can determine HD.  Poor whelping box traction.  Feet slipping causing damage to early joints.  Over exercise from owners.  For example you would not run a Bracco Italiano in the countryside for miles. It's a large boned dog and needs protecting. Diet is also key in HD.  So it's not just genetic.

I had a conversation this week with a laboratory over a health problem in Vizsla, and again I was told that its not clear cut one gene from mum and one gene from dad because their are other outside influences which can create this health issue.   So we have to understand that about some of the health problems. 

Eyes - Again so difficult as its visual. I have known peoples dogs get clear Glaucoma for example and then the dog at 8 suddenly has it. The dog has probably had many litters in that time before it reached 8. Too late to retract dogs back into the womb ha ha.  So again some things are difficult and yes they are visual tests and unless Glaucoma has a DNA test then it's just if it develops in the dog.  I do believe some breeds now have a DNA test but just not the Vizsla.

DNA tests for diseases.  Well these are much nicer to deal with because you have clear cut answers. Your dogs a carrier, its clear or its effected.  This gives breeders the marvellous tools to avoid then inherited conditions and your puppy wont go on to be effected.  Unless the breeder bred effected to effected. 

So yes I believe health tests are worth doing.  

The other question was financially is it worth doing? The answer is no it's not. As people are not prepared to pay the price for a puppy which covers all the money for health testing.  So it comes out of any profit which is made which then reduces breeders income. In this day and age it makes it very difficult to survive.  

For the first time ever I can see the end of our breeding days, only because we can not keep making looses or just making ends meet.  The talks are breeders being registered costing even more money and there is no more money left to give to anything else.  When governments get involved then Im sorry but that will be the end of breeding dogs as we know it unless we can charge another £1000 for a puppy.  We have to be realistic because if we want to keep doing health tests we have to charge for it.  In the long run you stand a better chance of having a healthier puppy coming from breeders who health test. 

I always feel sorry for those owners who come to me years later saying, you remember I contacted you for a puppy and I did not have one. I went and got one from someone else because I couldnt wait. I always say sorry but no I cant really remember you.  They then go on to tell me how their dogs cost them thousands at the vets because the dog developed a health problem I had tested for.   So as I always say be patient and choose your breeder wisely. Because the majority of breeders in the UK do not do as many health tests as we do.  This does not mean we will always produce healthy dogs. But it gives us a much better chance of breeding healthier dogs. 

I had one this week funnily enough, their two year old has severe elbow dysplasia and they wished now they had waited for one of ours.  Remember that we always know of quality litters around, so can point you in the right direction if we do not have one now. But I will always advise you wait.