Hi,

I'm looking into the possibility of breeding from my 13 month old working cocker spaniel in a year or so's time.
Firstly I know she needs to be hip scored once over a year old, and was wondering what people pay for this? Also is there a top age limit it should be done by or is it just before she is bred? I have been quoted £180 from my vets which I thought seemed rather expensive!
I also know she needs to be PRA tested unless both of her parents are tested clear, something I need to look into. If they are not how would I go about having her tested? Is this something my vet would do?
Are there any other health tests she should have before I make the decisioon to breed from her?
She is very well bred, of a wonderful temperament and confirmation so these are not an issue when breeding before I am asked to reconsider!

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my own vet (who I don't use) charges considerably more than that.

I don't pay much more than £180 for hips and elbows, plus of course the BVA fee on top - which he might be including in the price.

In honesty, the should be absolutely no compromise when taking hip plates - you need to be 100% confident that the vet can take a good plate - I do near enough a 4 hour round trip to get my gangs done.

For DNA testing check out the Optigen website - OptiGen - Tests offered - Canine genetic testing, Ithaca, New York

you will see clinics run within the UK - if you participate in one, you get about a 25% discount on the Optigen fees - you don't physically need to go to the clinic - you get the blood taken at your own vets and send it to the clinic co-ordinator.

There are a number of other organisations offering DNA testing - I would recommend speaking to the Kennel Club / Breed club for advice on which tests are accepted from which provider (i.e. Optigen, Laboklin, AHT) - don't for price, go for the approved tester - otherwise your results will not be displayed anywhere on the KC records / paperwork.

Eye tests can't be done by your own vet, they are done by an eye panellist - contact details can be found here

http://www.bordercollieclub.com/pdf/...-examiners.pdf

I don't know if there are any other recommended health tests for Cockers other than those obtained from Hawksport's link - I would advise contacting the breed club and your girls breeder for advice.

and it's 'conformation'

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What you need to know before buying a Labrador puppy

FN testing via Antagene Antagene - Familial Nephropathy familial, nephropathy, antagene, english, cocker, spaniel

pcrd-PRA testing via Optigen OptiGen - prcd-PRA Test - canine genetic testing its annoying you can't do both tests with the same company but they have licences for Europe and the US split between the 2 companies unless you supplied blood before 2006.

Eye test including Gonioscopy BVA - Eye Scheme
(Clinics for August http://www.bva.co.uk/public/documents/August_2010.pdf I'm doing the one at healthfield)

BVA - Hip Scheme there is a lovely lady in Southampton who does hip scores and she is very experienced her plates are second to none she does not charge the earth either. The price your vet has quoted at £180 is that under GA or sedation and will they do more than one plate if it isn't the best possible one or is it a single plate?? Worth asking because some vets will only do one plate and thats your lot they don't check them to make sure you got the best possible.

You can also do colour coat test to see what your bitch is carrying VetGen: Veterinary Genetic Services - Canine - List of Services - Coat Color gives a description I used a Canadian company who helped to develop these sort of tests. These arent health though they are more on interest and for your own breeding purposes for an example if you want to avoid a colour or you want a particular colour in your lines.

I originally wanted to breed my cocker but my personal circumstances were not ideal so I put those aspirations behind me... sadly my bitch thought otherwise.

Health tests don't guarantee a healthy litter but they do at least give you a fighting chance.

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These are my own personal views and opinions they do not represent the WCGB.

Thanks, my vets are experienced at doing the hip scores so should be ok.

Ordered the FN test - just a simple swab and send it back with payment right?

Found the closest vets who do the eye testing in Higham Gobian, needs gonioscopy for Glaucoma and checking for central prcd PRA.

The Optigen for the PRA DNA test - are both the DNA and the eye check necessary or just the DNA test??

All in all seems to cost around £450, is this right? Is there anything else I should look into that I have forgotten? Making plans early as hoping to have all the tests done spring next year!

You still have to do the annual eye test which looks for other conditions and possibly anything new emerging within the breed.

Also, if you are unfortunate enough to have a DNA PRA affected dog, (if your breed mirrors ours then affected dogs are relatively few and far between) then the annual eye test will detect if /when the condition start to manifest itself.

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What you need to know before buying a Labrador puppy

Ah ok, I see. What other conditions is the test looking for apart from PRA and glaucoma?

Not my breed - but if you have a look on the following site, it covers what the eye test is based on

CSC/Health & Welfare

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What you need to know before buying a Labrador puppy