Exhausted after spending two hours with a breeder tying to pin them down on whether they health test.  As breeder understanding the jargon and trial lawyer seasoned in the art of cross examination it was a lot of work for me, so I thought I would pass along the right questions to ask and how to verify the seemingly ambiguous term “health testing.”

The DDBSA Health Committee recommends 4 tests on breeding stock prior to being bred:

1.)  Heart on echocardiogram by a board certified cardiologist;

2.)  OFA Shoulders;

3.)  OFA Elbows;

4.)  OFA or Penn State hips.

That’s it.  Very simple.  It’s a yes or no answer.

Whenever buying a Dogue do your own research.  Familiarize and educate yourselves.  Penn Hips and echocardiograms have to be mailed in for a nominal fee but know that THERE IS NO OPT OUT on OFA passes for the other tests.  Saying: “I just didn’t mail it in” carries no weight.  Saying: “My vet looked at everything and we’re good” carries no weight.  Always see the health testing with your own eyes on the following links.  If it isn’t there, assume correctly that it never happened:

www.offa.org

www.caninehealthinfo.org/

Be well and buy well from a true Preservationist Breeder.  For the Love of the Dogue.

This past weekend, amongst a beautiful entry and majority of European imports competing, the Heartstrings-bred Dogues sweep the show!

Winning Best of Breed Bronze Grand Champion, National Specialty Winner Heartstrings Luther.

Winning Winners Dog and the MAJOR, Heartstrings What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong).

Winning Winners Bitch and Best of Winners for the MAJOR, Heartstrings Dream a Little Dream of Me (Ella Fitzgerald).

Heartstrings Luther becomes Bronze Grand Champion and just keeps winning!  The latest Best of Breed win over beautiful competition in Birch Run, MI.

Heartstrings Dream a Little Dream of Me (Ella Fitzgerald) a MAJOR win.  Ella has a perfect heart on echocardiogram by a board certified cardiologist.  OFA Normal thyroid panel.  Soon we will have a look at her Ortho’s under film and hope for great results from this beautiful young girl.

Miss B wins Best of Breed at 8 months over much older and mature competition.  The Breed win put on her by a highly respected judge.  She is recognized and rewarded an AKC Puppy of Distinction!

Nadia (Luther x Jazzy) becomes AKC STAR puppy at the unprecedented age of 3 1/2 months!

We strongly recommend waiting until at least 2 years of age to spay or neuter.

Sometimes this can be a challenge when boarding.  Or managing a couple of cycles with a young female.  But the long-term health benefits far outweigh the short-term inconveniences.

Attached is a nice read on the effects of early spay and neuter issued by the Golden Retriever Club of America.  They found, among other things, that early s/n is linked to hip dysplasia, cruciate injuries and certain forms of cancer.  We have additional information in our library, please feel free to contact us if you would like it.

While there is little data available on the effects in giant breeds, we can only assume that it is intensified.  Unless there is a risk of an accidental pregnancy or some other medical concern to weigh carefully, the studies are mounting showing that it is best to wait.

Please be informed and make good decisions for your youngster – they are counting on you!

EffectsEarlySpayNeuterPurina1