dxboon (11-21-2017), windycanyon (11-22-2017)
Never had to do a newspaper listing. Either a referral from my lab club or kennel club or through my own website. I could sell hundreds of puppies a year if the inquiries were any indication. No need to go near a newspaper.
Jen
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dxboon (11-21-2017), windycanyon (11-22-2017)
Agree. Though I used to put an educational ad in every now and then (no prices) just to advertise OFA / CERF/ etc. So many people have no idea how to research pedigrees and verify that the clearances were actually done.
It's also amazing how many bitch owners I've caught in lies about their clearances when they've inquired about breeding to one of my boys the past year or 2! It's a sad world.
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The WindyCanyon Girls (taken Summer 2018)
IntCH WindyCanyon's Northern Spy CDX RA JH OA OAJ CC (14.5 yrs)
IntCH WindyCanyon's Ruby Pink BN CD RA CC (4.5 yrs)
IntCH WindyCanyon's Kanzi BN CDX RE JH (5 yrs)
IntCH WindyCanyon ItsOnlyMoneyHoneycrisp BN RN CC (16mos)
IntCH WindyCanyon's Pippin BN RI CC (2.5 yrs)IntCH WindyCanyon's Envy CDX RE JH CC (10.5 yrs)
IntCH HIT WindyCanyon's Kiku A Fuji Too CDX RE JH CC (10 yrs)
barry581 (11-22-2017), dxboon (11-22-2017), IRISHWISTLER (11-22-2017)
I have caught “breeders” in so many lies about clearances. I’ve had family friends looking for Labs and when I go to vet their local puppy purveyor I find the registration numbers don’t match the dog in OFA, when people say they just haven’t submitted to OFA, and I ask people to request scans of the clearance paperwork for whatever (eyes, hearts, hips/elbows) it turns out the clearances weren’t done or they just have a general vet sign off that the sire/dam are in “good health.”
It’s amazing how people lie about their breeding programs. Then the diluters are a whole other level of deceivers.
barry581 (11-22-2017), Tanya (11-23-2017), windycanyon (11-22-2017)
It's the same as for human medical doctors. It indicates whether one specializes or treats general disorders. For some reason we don't usually call general practitioner Vets GPs as we do with human doctors.
Veterinary specialists vs. general practitioners: what is the difference? - PetMeds® Pet Health Blog
There are disreputable Vets, unfortunately. There is a bad, sad case in the news near me. It's horrible.
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Castilleja's Dubhgall Oban, the Black Stranger of The Little Bay
Oct. 15, 2007 - June 13, 2021
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dxboon (11-25-2017)
A general vet is just your regular vet you see for every day ailments. Now some general vets are well versed in taking OFA xrays of hips and elbows, but not all. So in most cases, if you are breeding in the correct manner, you will seek out a vet that specializes in taking good OFA xrays, you see the Canine ophthalmologist for your annual eye exam, and you see the Board Certified cardiologist to do your echo on the heart for the OFA clearance. Straight genetic tests like PRA, EIC, Dilute, CNM, etc. those are just cheek swabs or blood draws. No vet required unless you want to do the blood draw.
So that all said, a breeder that says "My vet checked our dogs and they are healthy for breeding" is really a worthless statement.
Jen
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dxboon (11-25-2017), windycanyon (11-27-2017)
Snowshoe has it right. The health clearances discussed are not something run by your general vet. It's not to say general vets are the opposite of reputable -- I love mine. As with any medical service provider, some are knowledgable and some graduated the bottom of their class. However, for the clearances commonly needed for Labradors you are looking for example for annual eye exams with a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Opthamologists (ACVO), heart echocardiograms with a cardiologist/ACVIM diplomate; hip/elbow radiograph positioning during the x-rays is key so you need to go to a vet that has practitioners who understand orthopedic clearances and specialize in radiographs for the most accurate results to send in to OFA for grading in order to be rated excellent, good, fair, or one of the non-passing grades that indicate dysplasia.
So, getting a report of well-being and apparent health from a general vet is not the same as having all health clearances for breeding. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) database online is a great resource for puppy purchasers. If clearances for either sire or dam are missing definitely ask the breeder about it.
Along with all of these vet specialists for breeding health clearances, if you breed, most general practice vets aren't well versed in reproduction, so we have reproductive vets too. They are knowledgeable about timing, collection, various insemination techniques, prenatal care, whelping help and c sections when needed, and sick puppy/well puppy visits as needed for the puppies before they go to their homes.
dxboon (11-25-2017), windycanyon (11-27-2017)
Just a few IMHO comments;
Reputable breeder: that’s just common sense.
It’s not a degree earned at the local university nor a badge worn on your sleeve. There’s reputable people in every walk of life, and some not so much.
Veterinarian specialist: a money pit, when my last dog was 14 yr. old I was told to take him to a specialist, $1500. later and no definite answer as to the problem I was told to have surgery to see what the issue was, $3000+ estimate, I decided it was time to quit that nonsense.
I often wonder if you spend your money the way you tell others to.
The OP said straight out they’re looking for a house dog/pet, not one to enter in Westminster next year.
Why is that so hard to accept?
Why bury someone with your high-tech knowledge base if they don’t want or need it?
Because we are assuming they want a healthy dog that looks and acts like a Labrador. Yes, you can get that occasionally without all of the health clearances, etc., but your odds are much lower, so why not spend a little bit more up front to maximize your chances of getting a dog that won’t cost you extra down the road due to health or behavior problems? I’m sorry the specialist was unable to help your dog - they have been a godsend to mine on occasion. Just like with human doctors, some are better than others, and as with human patients, some are more treatable than others. There are never any guarantees in life, but why not do the best you can to get the odds in your favor?
Annette
Cookie (HIT HC Jamrah's Legally Blonde, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
Sassy (HIT Jamrah's Blonde Ambition, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
Chloe (HIT HC OTCH Windsong's Femme Fatale, UDX4, OM6, RE) 6/7/2009
And remembering:
Scully (HC Coventry's Truth Is Out There, UD, TD, RN) 4/14/1996 - 6/30/2011
Mulder (Coventry's I Want To Believe, UD, RN, WC) 5/26/1999 - 4/22/2015
And our foster Jolie (Windsong's Genuine Risk, CDX) 5/26/1999 - 3/16/2014
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barry581 (11-26-2017), dxboon (11-26-2017), windycanyon (11-27-2017)
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