WHO TESTS and WHICH KINDS ??

[Doodlesville]

Originally Posted by KingstonTodd

I'll give this a bump since there are a few new members thinking of becoming breeders.

We just got Hershey's Hip and Elbow x-ray results (that took way longer than expected). She is OVC normal on both with no sign of dysplasia. Note: OVC groups normal, good, and excellent into one catagory called normal. Canadians keeping it simple .

LOL sure wish US would do the same
also i think in canada dont you only have one or two
DVM's that read and rate? which is a good thing i think

[Jac]

Hey Todd, congratultions! Isn't it nice to get the results back and know that your dog is scoring well??? Whoooo Hooooo! Big hurdle crossed there!
I like the Canadian way!

[Tink]

Well I'm slowly joining the ranks here.

My chocolates have all been DNA tested, and now I have 2 females that are OFA excellent for hips, Normal for elbows with clear CERF. I can't afford to do them all overnight, but am working on it slowly but surely. I'm hoping by spring (when I breed again) that I can have most (if not all) of them tested all around.

Will have to see what the finances allow.
For me, the hard part is feeling right about raising my prices, but the testing doesn't come cheap either!

[Jac]

Tink, I am happy that you are working on the testing!
You are right, it is very expensive...which is one reason that pups from tested parents is higher...but it need not be that way.
It really helps to be able to recoup the costs, but if you don't sell them due to higher prices, then that logic goes out the window anyway. You still need to be competitive...but people will appreciate your dedication.
And, more importantly, you will have a personal sense of well being knowing that you have produced the most healthy pups you can. (Realizing that it is impossible to know for sure...still, testing does give us an advantage of certain knowledge.)
Congratulations!

[Maureen]

hey, Tink I get the pricing thing!!
I'm charging less than anyone I know of with my Miniature f1b's because of conscience, not market pricing or testing! But that might change... I just got the bad/sad news that my girl Copper is NOT pregnant - DESPITE the $450 I spent at an INEXPENSIVE vet for AI, and progesterone testing! So I'm out around $1000 from the last breeding and the one last summer, with NO puppies to show for it, and no compensation, just risk capital lost. So I'm not going to feel bad about it ever again, I just decided!

I'm sad about so much of this - the lost puppies, the disappointed clients who have been waiting, and the Holiday joy we were looking forward to giving families with December puppies.....it's all lost and a big disappointment but from a business standpoint it's all a reminder that we're not just charging for a puppy but our work, our experience our TESTING and our time/reputation too, ya know??? You are building a reputation and that has a value to most people who look beyond a shelter for a well-bred puppy.

[Jac]

Oh, Maureen...I am so sorry! I know how disappointed you are, from so many standpoints.
You are so right with this post! Perfect!

[Tink]

Maureen, I'm so sorry... that just stinks.
It was a situation like yours (plus a young dam having died unexpectedly) that convinced the man I bought my 2 newest dams from to quit breeding. He said he's spent far more than he will ever make already and just can't continue. He'd paid $800 for one AI, $1500 for the other.

People who think breeding is just an easy buck have no clue.