Breeding - things to consider?

[CorvusCorax]

It can skip generations which is why it is good, IMO, to compare grandparents, siblings, previous litters etc. The more people who get their dogs done, the more it will help future research, which is why I like the way my own breed does it, everything is recorded on a database and every dog has a 'breeding value' number, based on the scores of all the dogs behind, alongside and after it, which represents how likely it will be to transmit good hip scores. The lower the number, the better, with 100 being used as a start point.
Without a proper database you are just relying on people's honesty. When you breed, you are not just breeding the two animals in front of you, but all of the dogs behind them too.

 

[MurphysMinder]

What’s a ‘wet’ puppy?

I was going to ask the same, not something I've heard of .

 

[Moobli]

I was going to ask the same, not something I've heard of .

I googled and seems it’s when a pup has an ectopic ureter.

https://www.fitzpatrickreferrals.co.uk/interventional-radiology-service/ectopic-ureters/

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Breeding coefficient is obviously important in such a popular breed. The breed average is 10.8 for springers registered with the KC, I believe. You can check the coefficient for hypothetical matings on the KC website health tests search results.

 

[KEK]

IMO pennhip is the far superior method of hip testing as it tests laxity. I now pennhip all mine as young dogs. The plain screening rads/AVA scoring is not that useful, I produced HD in my litter 6 yrs ago despite 2 parents with good scores. I've seen heaps of HD in wockers, but we don't have ESS here. Another one who thinks 2 is a bit young, IMO they should still be proving themselves in work at this age. I like 3-4 for 1st and then 5-6 for 2nd if you breed again. Also gives more chance for health problems to come out (eg epilepsy in my breed (BCs).

 

[Clodagh]

IMO pennhip is the far superior method of hip testing as it tests laxity. I now pennhip all mine as young dogs. The plain screening rads/AVA scoring is not that useful, I produced HD in my litter 6 yrs ago despite 2 parents with good scores. I've seen heaps of HD in wockers, but we don't have ESS here. Another one who thinks 2 is a bit young, IMO they should still be proving themselves in work at this age. I like 3-4 for 1st and then 5-6 for 2nd if you breed again. Also gives more chance for health problems to come out (eg epilepsy in my breed (BCs).

What is pennhip?

 

[MurphysMinder]

What is pennhip?

It’s the American scoring system

 

[Clodagh]

It’s the American scoring system

Thank you

 

[Terrayza]

No mine don't but I know some that do

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Ps the kind of homes I want for her pups, and that are lined up, won’t have an undocked working spaniel and I can quite see why!

Why?

 

[rara007]

Who covers your vets overnight? You might need to call them (or your vets if they do it) to get an estimate for a midnight C section as we would be about double that as a top end of estimate. Usually comes out far lower but need to prepare the owners for the worst case scenario!

 

[KEK]

Totally agree that when you breed you are ultimately responsible for the pups for the rest of their lives. When I produced the 2 dysplastic pups I fundraised enough to pay for the majority of their total hip replacement surgeries, as well as refunding purchase price (of course), sending money for meds and offering to take them back. Honestly it was absolutely heartbreaking and really distressing to have that happen, so I haven't bred again. The parents were 2 top agility dogs too (national winners) so very proven in their sport. Be very aware it can go wrong.

 

[Michen]

Sorry all limited WiFi here! Pepper came into season the day after I dropped her at my friends for a month whilst I travel, typical.

Her DNA test kit hadn’t arrived anyway. Everything else all sorted. So wasn’t meant to be this time but more time now to choose Dad etc if I go ahead with it.

Re tail whoever posted, none of the keepers I know would consider a spanner that was undocked. And the ones I know that aren’t have a pretty horrid time of it. Even with Peppers docked tail I find it needs some aftercare! Not really interested in getting into a debate about docking tbh- as my opinion is already formed.