Breeders don't care about health?

Question

If reputable breeders supposedly only care about physical appearance like some people claim, then why have rates of genetic health issues such as hip dysplasia been significantly dropping over the years?

http://www.offa.org/hipstatbreed.html?view=2

Answer 1

Funny I don't see any random mixed breeds on this list.  After all mixed breeds are supposedly healthier than purebreds***.  Funny I don't see many mixed breed owners donating money to the Morris Animal Foundation or other canine health organizations.  I also don't see many mixed breed organizations donating scholarship money to veterinary students or veterinary technology students either but the AKC donated well over $150,000.  It's true the breeders are in it for the money. ***Yep sarcasm intended.

Answer 2

to OHDO-- there is nothing wrong with this data. The chart is showing tests done on dogs *done during those years*--, the test is not done in 2003-2004 on dogs of varying ages. The fact that the chart shows tests done on dogs born "to 1980" in the first column, reflects that. Its not likely that any dog born prior to 1980 was still alive in 2003---that would make them 23 years old. Hip dysplasia may be a result of injury, but most often it is genetic, which is what this data is measuring. That is, with more responsible breeders having their dogs tested, the ones with hip dysplasia are not being bred, thus lowering the amount of dysplasia in the gene pool, and raising the amount of dogs with "excellent" ratings in the gene pool.

add: you're welcome :)

Answer 3

where's miniature pinschers on that list?

Answer 4

great Question... and some great answers as well.  Let's not forget that responsible breeders also fail to follow up on puppies and require health testing  on them as well NOT.    

Answer 5

Abbyful - how dare you support your argument with facts!!!!

Breeders also don't donate a penny to canine health research of course - all the research is done for free, or is supported by the Animal Rights activists - not!

Answer 6

Gee... if I were a less responsible, reputable breeder I might even break even monetarily if I didn't spend so blasted much on all the health screenings!!!   But, since I care, I keep spending the $$, losing money litter after litter and breeding SOUND, HEALTHY dogs who are exceptional representatives of their breed.

Edit: Susan Smith brings up a good point.  My contract requires ALL puppy buyers to follow up with health screenings, offers a refund for a portion of it AND requires they allow me access to the dog to do it myself if they don't get it done in a timely manner.  I do this because it is crucial to me to know if there are any issues before I do any further breedings.

Answer 7

Responsible breeders will carry out all the relevant health tests on their dogs and b*tches and ensure that the stud dogs they use are rigorously health tested.

Less responsible breeders who like to see some 'red' (denoting Championship status) on their pedigrees, take their (untested) b*****s to a (untested) Champion, produce a fine litter on paper, but the puppies could suffer serious health problems.

Statistics are necessarily that revealing. How many breeders submit figures of health problems? How many would rather that information wasn't revealed?

Answer 8

Two issues

1.  there are good breeders and bad breeders... some care about physical appearance, some about health defects, some about both, some about neither.  

2.  you have to watch your statistics... you notice how dogs born a long time ago have a higher instance of dysplasia... well, the fact is those dogs are OLDER, and therefor more prone to dysplasia!  

So therefor I'm not convinced that that website has any meaning.

However, I DO hope that the instances of dysplasia are decreasing, through whatever miracle or if the reputeable breeders out there are making an impact.

ADD to miaugh:  thanks for the correction

Answer 9

people get swept up by the news (In this case BBC) which operates and profits off of a system of ratings.  Doing a report on bad breeding and giving it a title that generalizes helps their cause.  Plus, lets face it, people see dogs suffering and they instantly think F*** off breeders!  They do not think logically, they think through emotions...  Do you notice how questions are becoming rants and the majority of people who asked (ranted) couldn't come up with logical responses, they merely verbally assaulted answerers... proving their lack of reason and intelligence.

Answer 10

Thanks Abbyfull!

One other thing I think is very important to add also is that when a breeder of any breed has a client interested in one of their pups they take to time to explain all the health testing done and will go over the paperwork with them so they understand what everything means.  This way it not only benefits the client but the breeders reputation & their dogs as well.