I have had several Goldies over the years most of which have been working bred dogs, as I work them.
Alfie is from show stock and I have had far more health issues with him than all off my others put together.
How many of you have had working bred dogs that have encountered hereditary illness or some kind of weakness in their conformation

We had a working springer(we didnt work him) but his parents were working when they had the pups they were both from working stock. at 61/2 he became breathless at 7yrs he collapsed and was diagnosed with an enlarged heart he lived 11mths much to the vets surprise, they also said it was hereditery we have his brother who is 15mth younger and he thankfully is fine, they have 2 bloodlines so it must have been in one of the bloodlines, dont really know a lot about bloodlines and that sort of thing.

I would have thought that breeding and the way that the dog is reared as a pup would play a part in the health and well being of the pup as an adult.

If a breeder is to mate ethically ie health tested, good lines etc.. Then when owner gets pup and keeps to guidelines re exercise etc,,,

I have an 11 year old springer from working lines and hes great. He's a retired sniffer and weve had him 5 years. He looks and acts like a pup, even people who have experience with springers say he looks about 5 . The only problem with him at the moment is a slight limp in his front left due to him working, early signs of arthiritis we're doing our best for it. They are called seasamoids where the joints stiffen, typically seen in working dogs.

As I have stated before, all my previous GSD's are from working stock. My first Ben, had bad hips, but lived to a good age 12.

My Wednesday class is attending by most GSD owners and we had this discussion a couple of weeks ago. We were all in agreement that working lines are far healthier (in our experience), than show lines.

I would also add, that Luika's father was dog aggressive, and according to my sources should not have been bred from make of that what you will!

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