Following the pedigree dog programme...

[nedzy]

How do I know, when buying a pedigree dog, that the breeding is Ok? I am looking for a welsh springer, it would be my first pedigree dog. Not a breed prone to hereditary problems but how do I go about checking its breed history for problems?
Any other tips to look out for please?

 

[prose]

You need to ask for proof of health testing from the breeder. For example, I saw certificates for clear patellas (OFA) and hearing clearance (BAER). For a larger dog, it may be relevant to check hip scores as well. Ask for references from other buyers of their pups. Meeting the parents is crucial (or at least the mother). There's no hiding poor movement, poor coat and poor living conditions.

 

[Oneofthepack]

I'd look at the parents and check the breed history as far back as possible.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

Look for a puppy with an older maledog as father. A Swedish pedigree-bitch can't be older than 7 years and get reg. offspring, but a male dog around 9 or older and still being able to produce offspring is well in the age were a lot of diseases (hereditary or not) has started to appear.

Has either dogparent had previous litters? If it isn't the breeders first litter, how has the earlier puppies turned out? Ask for the breeders goal with his/hers breeding.

But even when all things possible have been checked, there is no guarantee that nothing can happen to your puppy.
The Finnish Lapphund could now be gentested for hereditary cataract, but a gentested non-carrier could still get cataract that isn't hereditary. And even if both parents have good hip scores, if you over feed or have bad luck, your puppy could still get a bad hip score.

Personally I wouldn't buy a non-pedigree again, I've only had one, but she was euthanased before 2 years of age.

from Sweden.

 

[KarynK]

Here you go http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_gu...nformation.html

Would suggest you check to ensure both parents are disease free and properly tested as well as the littler, if not walk away and find a breeder that does test.

 

[igpodet]

Sorry to burst your bubble ....but Welsh SS are prone to SEVERAL genetic conditions which a GOOD breeder will help you understand!
Both parents SHOULD of been tested for PRA and Glaucoma , they should of been hip scored, and their epilepsy status known , and that of their parents and all dogs in the pedigree...at the very least!!! These 4 conditions are VERY COMMON in the breed and all breeding stock should be screened ..if not ....don't touch them with a bargepole!!!!