Guaranteed Dogs that go Bad
April/15/2010 Filed in: Hunting
On a recent Outdoor Talk radio show we discussed with Jerry Sather - labsunlimitedkennels.com - the situation that happened with my son’s yellow lab. He bought the dog from a well-known kennel with a health guarantee and put a load of training into it. It was a great hunter with tons of potential. When the dog reached two-and-a-half he took it in for the X-rays and discovered it had hip dyplasia. After $7,000 in training and the goal of creating some pups from this phenomenal dog all hopes were dashed. Jason did get his money back from the breeder but it was what he paid for the dog and not what he had into it. What a shame.
I received a ton of e-mails regarding this situation and even Bill Miller, host of North American Hunter had the same situation occur to him. So it’s not that uncommon. Sather’s recommendation is to make sure you go with a breeder that is not just about the color of the dog. Too many breeders are breeding for color now and that pushes the envelope and results in dogs with problems. Never trust the guarantee (my thoughts) because all it does is get you your money back when they discover two years later and lots of training and attachment that the dog has problems. You just have to go with the best breeders and keep your fingers crossed.
Here is an e-mail I received from a listener that I thought would be worth sharing that will help in your search for the right dog, and, if you have any questions contact Sather. He’s one of the best and can set you straight.
I received a ton of e-mails regarding this situation and even Bill Miller, host of North American Hunter had the same situation occur to him. So it’s not that uncommon. Sather’s recommendation is to make sure you go with a breeder that is not just about the color of the dog. Too many breeders are breeding for color now and that pushes the envelope and results in dogs with problems. Never trust the guarantee (my thoughts) because all it does is get you your money back when they discover two years later and lots of training and attachment that the dog has problems. You just have to go with the best breeders and keep your fingers crossed.
Here is an e-mail I received from a listener that I thought would be worth sharing that will help in your search for the right dog, and, if you have any questions contact Sather. He’s one of the best and can set you straight.
I enjoy your show and listen, via podcast, as much as I can. I’m writing
about last week’s segment with Jerry Sather. I’ve recently had a similar
experience with a Springer Spaniel puppy I purchased last fall and have some
additional insights that did not come up on the show, but could be valuable
to your listeners.
First I’d like to share my story…I have been running springers in hunt tests
for years and I’m starting to dabble in field trials. Last year, I finished
my six-year-old springer’s Master Hunter title and started looking for a
puppy to add to our family. We were even thinking of breeding with our
current springer. I was familiar with most of the reputable breeders and
professional trainers on the east coast (where I currently live – I’m a
transplanted MN native), and chose a litter from one of the best-known
breeders in the country. I researched the sire and dam, which are both
nationally known dogs, and was very excited about the puppy’s potential.
To make a long story short, when I got the puppy home and took her to her
first vet visit the vet heard a significant heart murmur and recommended
follow-up with a veterinary cardiologist. The cardiologist heard the same
murmur and conducted tests before diagnosing her with a severe and serious
congenital heart defect. The condition is so bad that she will never be able
to hunt, compete in trials, or even live a normal life. She is unlikely to
live more than two or three years.
I did all the research on the parents and the breeder’s reputation is
impeccable. Fortunately, the breeder stood behind the breeding and offered
to replace the puppy. But the whole situation was very disappointing and
very sad for the puppy. I guess that no matter how diligent you are, things
can and do still go wrong.
However, I wanted to share a resource with you, and your listeners, for
doing this kind of research. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA),
maintains a consolidated database of animals submitted for hip and elbow
dysplasia certification, eye certification (CERF) and has recently added
cardiac defects. You can go to their website and search for the parents, and
ancestors, by name or registration number. The one drawback to this database
is that dog owners are under no obligation to submit affected dogs. But if
the dog is not listed in the database, they have received a certification.
Tony Simons
Virginia Beach, VA
about last week’s segment with Jerry Sather. I’ve recently had a similar
experience with a Springer Spaniel puppy I purchased last fall and have some
additional insights that did not come up on the show, but could be valuable
to your listeners.
First I’d like to share my story…I have been running springers in hunt tests
for years and I’m starting to dabble in field trials. Last year, I finished
my six-year-old springer’s Master Hunter title and started looking for a
puppy to add to our family. We were even thinking of breeding with our
current springer. I was familiar with most of the reputable breeders and
professional trainers on the east coast (where I currently live – I’m a
transplanted MN native), and chose a litter from one of the best-known
breeders in the country. I researched the sire and dam, which are both
nationally known dogs, and was very excited about the puppy’s potential.
To make a long story short, when I got the puppy home and took her to her
first vet visit the vet heard a significant heart murmur and recommended
follow-up with a veterinary cardiologist. The cardiologist heard the same
murmur and conducted tests before diagnosing her with a severe and serious
congenital heart defect. The condition is so bad that she will never be able
to hunt, compete in trials, or even live a normal life. She is unlikely to
live more than two or three years.
I did all the research on the parents and the breeder’s reputation is
impeccable. Fortunately, the breeder stood behind the breeding and offered
to replace the puppy. But the whole situation was very disappointing and
very sad for the puppy. I guess that no matter how diligent you are, things
can and do still go wrong.
However, I wanted to share a resource with you, and your listeners, for
doing this kind of research. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA),
maintains a consolidated database of animals submitted for hip and elbow
dysplasia certification, eye certification (CERF) and has recently added
cardiac defects. You can go to their website and search for the parents, and
ancestors, by name or registration number. The one drawback to this database
is that dog owners are under no obligation to submit affected dogs. But if
the dog is not listed in the database, they have received a certification.
Tony Simons
Virginia Beach, VA