Quote:
Originally Posted by Sleeping_Lion
Health testing doesn't guarantee you'll have a dog free of genetic or any health problems, but it does mean hopefully the breeder has done everything possible to ensure they breed responsibly. The information from health testing is a tool to try and ensure you make a good decision about breeding.
'Hybrid vigour' isn't guaranteed with a cross breed either, mixing two different sets of genes can sometimes end up with disastrous consequences. Cross bred dogs can still suffer from the same sort of diseases and afflictions that pedigree dogs can, some genetic, others not.
Good advice re reading up on the specific breed you're interested in, and researching what health testing is available and what the results mean.
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I think sometimes its the luck of the draw, we bought a springer from a reputable breeder, would imagine had had health checks, we also got his brother from the next litter they were 18mth apart. The first one Monty became ill and collapsed teats showed Dilated Cardio myopathy (enlarged heart) he was 6 yrs old, we were told it was genetic we did loads of research and they went back generations and generations no trace of this ilness we were concerned because of having his brother but was told it usually shows up at around 6 roughly, harvey is 9 this year so should be in the clear although its always on your mind.
If we had bred with him before this or for some reason cross bred then it would be in the safer non pedigree catagory but not really we could have easily been passed on through him. So it must be the ones that have lots of breeds in one. Iknow people with crossbreeds and have had lots of health problems, and people with pedigrees have had no problems and visa versa, so which ever you prefer go for it.