Health/DNA Testing
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From the very start of our program, we did what was heavily recommended at the time which was health testing through OFA for heart, hips and thyroid on all of our breeding prospects.
We however have learned these particular items that we have kept such a close eye on over the years have not proven to be of issue.
Moving forward our program would like to focus heavily on DNA testing;
While all of our dams & sires are checked and cleared annually; sometimes semi annually by our veterinarians for the health of their heart and thyroid we still feel there is more we can do.
In this day and age we are able to swab a cheek and in just a few short weeks, we know if our dogs carry any of the genes responsible for increased risk of nearly 200+ diseases. These results do not change. The results they have at 8 weeks will be the same at 8 years old. We currently use Animal Genetics & Embark Vet.
Here are the reasons why we have chosen DNA testing over OFA/PENNHIP, not to say we won't or haven't done OFA testing but we feel DNA testing gives us more accurate information on the dog & its health entirely.
Breeders have relied on x-rays for determining joint health and making breeding decisions over the years. While we do perform hip scans if we have a specific concern. I have heavily studied joint health and feel that the puppy's environment (i.e. housing, exercising, food) makes so much of a difference in the risk of developing HD and other issues that we're not completely confident that a preliminary or even a certification is enough to guarantee a decreased risk of joint problems.
Testing results for each of our crew can be found below:
We however have learned these particular items that we have kept such a close eye on over the years have not proven to be of issue.
Moving forward our program would like to focus heavily on DNA testing;
While all of our dams & sires are checked and cleared annually; sometimes semi annually by our veterinarians for the health of their heart and thyroid we still feel there is more we can do.
In this day and age we are able to swab a cheek and in just a few short weeks, we know if our dogs carry any of the genes responsible for increased risk of nearly 200+ diseases. These results do not change. The results they have at 8 weeks will be the same at 8 years old. We currently use Animal Genetics & Embark Vet.
Here are the reasons why we have chosen DNA testing over OFA/PENNHIP, not to say we won't or haven't done OFA testing but we feel DNA testing gives us more accurate information on the dog & its health entirely.
Breeders have relied on x-rays for determining joint health and making breeding decisions over the years. While we do perform hip scans if we have a specific concern. I have heavily studied joint health and feel that the puppy's environment (i.e. housing, exercising, food) makes so much of a difference in the risk of developing HD and other issues that we're not completely confident that a preliminary or even a certification is enough to guarantee a decreased risk of joint problems.
Testing results for each of our crew can be found below:
Learn more about the testing we do @ www.embarkvet.com
