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Please,
bear in mind that not all hereditary problems have
a test as of now. Epilepsy for example, has no
screening but a good breeder will know if it has
cropped up in the ancestry of the dogs. But that
cheap puppy from that ad probably did not come
from dogs that have had testing done. Is this a
risk you want to take? You can spend $200 on a
puppy and then find out it has medical problem
that had the parents been tested, they person
breeding would have known about. You can end up
paying hundreds of dollars if not more in medical
care down the road. Or would you rather spend $600
at a reputable person who tests and knows this
problem is not in the line? A cheap dog may end up
being a very expensive own in a few years.
Pedigrees
& Quality
Not
all dogs with a pedigree will be breeding quality.
This is just the luck of genetics. What makes a
dog breeding quality? Well, in the opinion of
many, myself included, it is how close the dog
fits the written standard in form and function and
how healthy the dog is. Is the dog clear of any
health issues that can be screened for and do you
know if anything is carried behind the dog and
where? Does the dog have brains to go with the
look? Has the dog been shown in various
competitions to prove it is all around quality?
Not getting out and proving a dog is quality is
irresponsible.
Now,
there is far more to a dog than what is listed on
the pedigrees. There are siblings, half-siblings,
aunts, uncles, and cousins. If you do not see all
the working titles on a pedigree you would like,
ask about other relatives. They may be out and
working in various non-conformation sports quite
successfully. It can be expensive and time
consuming just to show a dog in one sport. But
more and more dogs are showing up with titles at
both ends of the name. Many people will get a
conformation title on a dog then go into another
sport. A good breeder will breed dogs with working
potential. That look is nothing, in the opinions
of many, if the brains and drive are not there as
well.
Registrations
The general public
has the impression that a registered dog
regardless of where it is from is a quality dog.
This is far from true. A dog's quality is only as
good as the integrity of the person
breeding it. Though registries such as the
American Kennel Club, The United Kennel Club, the
American Rare Breed Association and the Canadian
Kennel Club (or what ever national registry is in
your country) encourage ethical breeding, it is
impossible to get out and inspect all breeders. A
back yard breeder or puppy miller can register a
litter just as the best breeder in the country
can.
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