Health of our dogs

The health of our dogs matters to us very much.  We health test our dogs.

The Kennel club sets out various health tests for each breed, but it is a recommendation not enforced.  They will register puppies without any health tests.  So it is up to you as the owner to check the parents.  Not all health tests are recorded at the Kennel club.  So you must ask your breeder if you can see the health tests when you view the puppies.  We have a large folder and inside has every document relating to each parent.  It's up to you to view them.  We do not email our dogs documents to anyone because of theft of documents and copying.  There are a lot of unscrupulous people out there.  But you are absolutely welcome to view our documents when you are visiting. 

But it's more than just health tests. The parents of your puppy under go an annual check with vets, they listen to hearts, check the dogs general health. 

Our dogs are either vaccinated or titre tested, and we do yearly lepto 2 vaccine.  

Our dogs are worm counted to check for more unusual parasites.  But they are also wormed if needed.  We try sometimes holistic remedies and other times I opt for Panacur Granules.

It's constant checking health of dogs.     We are looking inside ears every day, checking nails.

Being a qualified groomer our dogs are groomed.  Some of our dogs are groomed and bathed weekly. Others two weekly. Others monthly.  We are so committed to their welfare it's a full time job in caring for the dogs.  When most people get home from work and can sit down we are still caring for dogs up to night fall.  I do not think people realise how much time goes into animals.  

There is no expense spared where our dogs are concerned on their welfare.  

Unfortunately where some health tests are concerned it's very much on the day.  Let's take Glaucoma.  We have to go to a BVA specialist vet and it's on the day.  Then you have to retest 3. years later.  But it does not mean the dog will not get glaucoma aged 8.   We tend to continue to do our stud dogs right through to 10 years of age.  This is because we could still use them but it also gives us the knowledge that they do not have it.  This is very important for you and us. 

Even hip and elbow scoring with good results does not mean your puppy may not get it.  Because there are a lot of elements in HD and ED.  Early spaying or neutering.  Wrong diets.  Over exercise.    The Bracco for Example is a breed which must not run and run as a puppy.  You have to be mindful.  This is because of the heavy bone they have and ligaments and muscles may not yet be supporting well enough.  Hydro therapy in these dogs is really an excellent idea if you want to increase muscle but do not give hard exercise.   Even Vizsla must not run like loons.  Dogs bones are fully grown by 18 months.  Muscles and ligaments are supporting then.  We know ourselves after buying a dog with Elbow dysplasia from a breeder that the parents had 0 elbows but our dog had severe elbow dysplasia and sadly we had to remove from any plans on breeding him or showing him.  He was re-homed to an owner who was happy to take on the dog with maintenance on his welfare.  Because they can be supported with hydrotherapy and live a good long life.    So its a real pickle when your trying to do everything right.  But this article is to help you understand why these things happen.  IN HD and ED 100 genes come together to create it and it's bloody bad luck. Breeders can not be responsible for these problems especially when they have done everything right.  Breeders are then mindful about how they go forward with that breeding.  Do not breed from dogs which have ED or HD.  This would be silly.  So this is why you must see the health documents, and then do everything you can as an owner to make sure in the first 18 months that the dog is not over exercised. 

But remember not all breeders health tests.  Not all breeders care for the welfare of their dogs.  You must look at behind photos.  All puppies are cute, but what is really going on.  It's a privilege to live and care for dogs.  The love they show us.  So it's up to us to do right by the dogs.  I can honestly say there is not one dog here in poor condition, they are all in fabulous condition and thats down to daily management of each dog.  The love we show towards our dogs is shown in their health.  

When looking for a breeder make sure they have the passion of love for their adults. It's not about puppies.  Anyone can raise a puppy.  But it's the welfare of every aspect.  Do not promote poor welfare by buying from pet breeders who have not done all the health tests.  I wish this could be stopped.   Going to breeders that have a hobby with their dogs really is the best way forward.  Show people do not enter the ring with a sickly dog.  So even if they breed infrequently they will keep the health of the dog and welfare paramount.  Where as some back yard breeders do not give a toss what happens to the parents.    In gun dog breeds, you need to see what hobby the breeder has with the dogs.  If not showing they maybe working them. Doing agility, Doing Man trailing and they are choosing dogs selectively to continue with the best dogs abilities for the job at hand.  But someone who is breeding just because they can, I would walk away. Thats me though. I know that people which have dog hobbies are listening about health.  They are doing the health tests and understand them. 
​