UK Hip average - Page 4

I think all you can do is ensure that the dogs you produce are from the best available options out there.  Stick to your ethics, try and get your progeny scored so that "you" know what is being produced and go from there.

Looking through the information available from the KC/BVA is very good and with a bit of time you can go through looking up the dogs you are considering using, looking at their progeny etc and try and come up with the best you can do.  The KC/BVA can provide you with information going back years.

I have to say I think its nice when you can effectively trace progeny back through lines and there are some breeders out there who happily give you information on genetic backgrounds, something which is easier when they have knowledge of the dogs lineage.  Having looked around just today there are some fab dogs out there where at least 1 line is from the same kennel and with that will be the knowledge of generations.

From information I've gotten over the years when looking to purchase dogs, there are some people out there who are willing to shower you with information, and others who are loath to, its then pretty obvious which way you should go.

I very rarely "pop my head above the parapet" on Database as it can attract so much negative comment, but hips and elbow gradings are so important.  I fully agree with Videx that the KC has a responsibility towards the general public who buy our puppies just as much as they have towards the breeders. Could there be a case made for the development of a scheme issuing some form of "gold seal papers" (equivalent to SV pink papers) that are provided by the KC when the progeny registered are from scored parents. This would promote the best breeders who have invested a considerable amount of money in screening to a higher status in the public eye as opposed to the ones who do not screen their animals.  This may raise the question - where do we stop in testing our breeding stock?  There are so many hereditary problems affecting our breed (and all the rest too!)  but that should NOT stop us from starting such a system - once started a juggernaut is VERY hard to stop!  Education of the public and their expectations is vital too - perhaps at a public forum such as Discover Dogs (forget Crufts - that's all about commercial revenue nowadays).  Our National Breed Clubs have a huge part to play and the use of  their websites can help here.  The KC are very reluctant to use a "big stick" to penalise people and prefer to use a "carrot " approach in incentivising breeders, (although their accredited breeder leaves a lot to be desired)

Of course X-raying our breeding stock (we use parallel grading - both BVA/KC and SV) is the most basic of steps but we must not forget that HD is a polygenic condition,  and from time to time a high score will pop its nasty little head up in even the most meticulous of kennels.  The answer there is to breed only from the best - making sure you try also to retain all the other important attributes of our breed.

A word of warning too.  I believe that in the UK there has been a legal precedent set by a breeder of Golden Retrievers whereby you can be sued by a purchaser if there is an accredited scheme, their puppy suffers from a particular problem, and you have not ensured the parents have been screened properly.  In this litigious age it is more than likely you could be held responsible by a purchaser in the UK - after all (believe it or not) your precious little puppies are viewed legally as being "merchandise" - covered by the Trade Descriptions Act (can't remember which year!!!) -exactly the same as a vaccuum cleaner or a dress!

I'm putting on my flak jacket now - expecting criticism from the usual suspects - but heigh-ho!

THOROUGHLY FOCUS ON THE END OBJECTIVE.
THOROUGHLY ORGANISE, THOROUGHLY PREPARE, AND PURSUE RELENTLESSLY. - ensuring that NO traitors or backstabbers are in our midst.
Some may rightfully say "an impossible task for our GSD fraternity here in the UK"
WHERE THE "OSTRICH SYNDOME" IS RIFE.
"if I bury my head in the sand, everything controversial passes over me" - "I am NOT involved"

Alyson R - I think it is fab that you parallel grade.  Means the best of both worlds, the english "Joe Bloggs" will understand your scores without you being affected on the show scene, and helps people when looking at your dogs for breeding. 

I think you also nailed it when you said "making sure you try also to retain all the other important attributes of our breed."

Well done you.

As for the legal ramifications of the modern society, unfortunately that is something that hounds every aspect of life from walking down the road onwards.  I think purchasers should be made aware that you have done the best you can and should also be aware of the effects that they can also have on the dog and should be made to sign a legal document to that effect - removing the ability to "sue" in the future.

alyson R  you can take your jacket off hun tiz hot you sound like you are doing a great job.

its the byb who take no care in what they are doing that cause this problem.

I think 19 is far too high and would not buy from a sire or dam that had hip scores in double figures nor would I use a dog that with a hip score in double figures.

I also think that elbow scoring should be compulsory and eye testing.

My dog is HD and ED scored, eye screened annually as well as blood tested.