Not really sure if at the moment is really the right time to bring this up, BUT, its been on my mind for a few months now, and Im getting VERY frustrated…
Can someone PLEASE explain to me why ALL registered, responsible, ethical Basenji loving breeders arent doing ALL the testing on our dogs, both sexes, PRIOR to breeding them ??? I mean Fanconi, Thyroid, (the Jean Dobbs testing, not just the basic thyroid done inhouse by your Vet), H/E, Patella's, Cardiac, Eyes
People that choose to breed our beloved breed, wish to do so, to improve our dogs, to make them the absolutely healthiest that they can be, whether it be for the potential show pup we keep, or the ones that end up being the beloved pet of our new 'extended family'. This can only be done by health testing the stock BEFORE we breed... I just cant understand why this testing isnt done ??? Yes it costs money, yes its time consuming, yes it can be hard to accept 'crappy' results etc, etc, etc, BUT, this shouldnt be a consideration when we choose to breed, AFAIC...`Mother Nature can throw us a pretty rotten deal, sometimes, but its not a reason to NOT test... I just dont fathom why, when testing is available for all these diseases, that breeders are not doing them ??? We could make OUR breed one of the healthiest of all breeds, if everyone jumps onboard the health testing bandwagon, then of course, using the results to the dogs best advantages... No, Im not interested in talking about the very small group who do test, then ignore results, (usually hiding them), then doing what they want to do anyway... I know there arent many of these, but do know there are people who have/do do this.
Ok, flame suit on, ready for the enlightening responses