dturm wrote:
This is where the genetic markers and testing can really benefit because we can get a handle before breeding. But, to be effective breeders have to go through the testing and then breed according to results.
Doug, DVM
I see both extremes in terms of genetic testing; no use of tests and running every available test. Those tests that are relevant for a breed should be run; there is no need to test for a disease where the incident rate in the breed is below 1% (as long as there is no evidence of it in the lines being crossed). Not testing for diseases that are prevalent in the breed is a disservice to the pups, the buyers of the pups, and the entire breed (producing affected pups and adding carriers to the gene pool).
Here is where my point of view differs from most dog owners; most dog owners are concerned about the health of individual dogs where I am concerned about the health of the entire gene pool.
