Health is what distinguishes the Ultimate Show Breeders dogs from every other dog. We alone sacrifice the time and money to perform every genetic test. The health of our dogs is proven by the shine of their coats and eyes and the energy with which they show off in the ring.
Every dog must be tested for every ailment. Don't make excuses, Backyard Breeder! The lowly Mutt gets HD, eye abnormalities, wobblers syndrome and so on. Therefore, it can happen to any dog at any time. Therefore every dog must be tested for every ailment yearly! Sometimes more.
And do not exclude the speutered castoffs! They must be tested too. One of them may be the key to finding the leperous champion parent that has thus far hidden faulty genes and must summarily be flagged as a "typhoid Mary" and his line erased from the books.
Above all, remember, health is never be put before beauty. Beauty is what defines and creates a breed. Beauty is what attracts us to our perfect dogs. Without beauty, there is no Ultimate Show Breeder. |