The first page of my website states I breed for temperament, health and structure. You can see structure, you can meet temperament but you can’t do either with health. For that you must trust my word that I have done the research and checked the lines of my dogs to see what, if anything, is lurking in their DNA.
It's easy to decide to breed two healthy dogs but there’s a fine line between breeding to prevent life threatening problems and deciding to breed problems that can be managed with medication or surgery. As a breeder I also need to decide whether the problem is inherited or if it’s a anomaly of dealing with living creatures who’s growth is affected by environment and circumstances beyond our control.
OFA is one of the primary canine health data recording centres in North America – it is almost universally used to record and track the health of all breeds of dogs. It’s database is a goliath of information. I use it because the information is publicly posted and my hands are clean – anyone is welcome to see what’s behind my dogs.
If you look down the direct lines of some dogs it’s easy to tell where a health issue has come from. If you end up with a litter presenting the same problem in 3 or 4 of a litter of 8 then you need to question the direction of your program – regardless of the seriousness of the problem. Some breeders have had to start over again rather than chance a health issue in their lines because once it’s in you have the devil to manage getting it out.
There is a problem of sorts using something like the OFA – if your dogs fails you have the option to not publish the information. Many breeders choose to withold the information because a dog that has failed their hip test may have had extenuating circumstances that resulted in the fail. There is no option for a ‘I have an explanation why my dog failed’ - it’s the rating and that’s it. Some tests are offered a breeder’s option code where it will state precisely why the dog failed.
There is another problem with the system when it comes to researching lines using current databases. Not all of them are online so a dog you think has not been tested for something actually has but the breeder chose to use a different data recording body. These results should be immediately available to you through the breeder - just ask.
What tests does a Ridgeback need?
The obvious ones are hips and elbows for dysplasia – you really want to see a good or better on the sire and dam and elbows are generally a simple pass or fail.
Thyroid tests should be done approximately every two years as thyroid problems can be late onset so a dog should be tested at least to age 8 or 9. Halo’s dam Kinley was tested clear evey couple years til she was 9 1/2 and was clear every time.
While there are not many heart problems in Ridgebacks they are not unheard of so we do it as a precauction.
Canine Eye Registration Foundation CERF tests for eye problems. Ridgebacks are generally clear of eye problems but I do know some lines have inherited problems and continue to breed them. The problems are not life threatening but certainly can result in vet bills and aggravation that could be easily avoided by not breeding to it or from it.
Also, some breeders test hearing in their Ridgebacks. Breeders who have bred to known deaf producers(and their relatives) will test hearing. I do not test for deafness because I know my lines are clear of it.
Things like epilepsy can crop up in Ridgbacks, as in people it is not necessarily inherited and certainly can be caused by head trauma or some other health issue. If it does come up call your bnreeder immediately. There is no test for epilepsy as yet but the advances in medicine certainly make it a possibility in the future.
Remember, your breeder, if responsible, will tell you everything you need to know about your puppy’s parental health concerns. My line can be allergic to certain things. I know Halo has a contact allergy to pine needles and the heavy pollen of spring. If you encounter a health issue with your dog let the breeder know immediately.
Your breeder should do their level best to ensure you have a healthy puppy but remember, they only had the dog for 8 weeks – from then on YOU are responsible for everything the dog comes in contact with. Inherited health issues are tricky but environment is also a major player when it comes to health. All things being equal you should have your Ridgeback for a good long while yet.
It's easy to decide to breed two healthy dogs but there’s a fine line between breeding to prevent life threatening problems and deciding to breed problems that can be managed with medication or surgery. As a breeder I also need to decide whether the problem is inherited or if it’s a anomaly of dealing with living creatures who’s growth is affected by environment and circumstances beyond our control.
OFA is one of the primary canine health data recording centres in North America – it is almost universally used to record and track the health of all breeds of dogs. It’s database is a goliath of information. I use it because the information is publicly posted and my hands are clean – anyone is welcome to see what’s behind my dogs.
If you look down the direct lines of some dogs it’s easy to tell where a health issue has come from. If you end up with a litter presenting the same problem in 3 or 4 of a litter of 8 then you need to question the direction of your program – regardless of the seriousness of the problem. Some breeders have had to start over again rather than chance a health issue in their lines because once it’s in you have the devil to manage getting it out.
There is a problem of sorts using something like the OFA – if your dogs fails you have the option to not publish the information. Many breeders choose to withold the information because a dog that has failed their hip test may have had extenuating circumstances that resulted in the fail. There is no option for a ‘I have an explanation why my dog failed’ - it’s the rating and that’s it. Some tests are offered a breeder’s option code where it will state precisely why the dog failed.
There is another problem with the system when it comes to researching lines using current databases. Not all of them are online so a dog you think has not been tested for something actually has but the breeder chose to use a different data recording body. These results should be immediately available to you through the breeder - just ask.
What tests does a Ridgeback need?
The obvious ones are hips and elbows for dysplasia – you really want to see a good or better on the sire and dam and elbows are generally a simple pass or fail.
Thyroid tests should be done approximately every two years as thyroid problems can be late onset so a dog should be tested at least to age 8 or 9. Halo’s dam Kinley was tested clear evey couple years til she was 9 1/2 and was clear every time.
While there are not many heart problems in Ridgebacks they are not unheard of so we do it as a precauction.
Canine Eye Registration Foundation CERF tests for eye problems. Ridgebacks are generally clear of eye problems but I do know some lines have inherited problems and continue to breed them. The problems are not life threatening but certainly can result in vet bills and aggravation that could be easily avoided by not breeding to it or from it.
Also, some breeders test hearing in their Ridgebacks. Breeders who have bred to known deaf producers(and their relatives) will test hearing. I do not test for deafness because I know my lines are clear of it.
Things like epilepsy can crop up in Ridgbacks, as in people it is not necessarily inherited and certainly can be caused by head trauma or some other health issue. If it does come up call your bnreeder immediately. There is no test for epilepsy as yet but the advances in medicine certainly make it a possibility in the future.
Remember, your breeder, if responsible, will tell you everything you need to know about your puppy’s parental health concerns. My line can be allergic to certain things. I know Halo has a contact allergy to pine needles and the heavy pollen of spring. If you encounter a health issue with your dog let the breeder know immediately.
Your breeder should do their level best to ensure you have a healthy puppy but remember, they only had the dog for 8 weeks – from then on YOU are responsible for everything the dog comes in contact with. Inherited health issues are tricky but environment is also a major player when it comes to health. All things being equal you should have your Ridgeback for a good long while yet.
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