Dog breeding is an art, a science and a game of chance--genetic chance. As breeders, we each set goals which we hope to obtain through the application of our knowledge of our breed, scientific and diagnostic modalities available to us and lastly through luck. We all know complete novices who have purchased a puppy from undistinguished parentage that goes on to an outstanding competition record in conformation, obedience, or field events. We all also recognize that these animals are the result of chance and that the likelihood of success in any of the above venues is greatly enhanced when deliberate, thoughtful breedings are orchestrated.
Similar outcomes can be expected in the selection process used to produce a canine with an expectation of genetic soundness.. Certainly one can spin the wheel and hope to come out a winner orthopedically but as the odds would have it, the odds favor the house (random gene pool.) Improving the odds involves investigating the genetic background of your dog or dogs, applying diagnostic modalities as early as possible in the dogs life and careful application of risk versus benefit decision making
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Hips
Recent data compiled at the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals involving progeny testing yields some fascinating information. The data was compiled from 1994 through February 2003. This data involves 124,320 dogs who had radiographs of their pelvis submitted to the OFA for evaluation. Using information supplied by the owner regarding the sire and dam of these dogs, a comparison was made to determine the percentage of dysplastic animals produced from these parents. In 117,391 dogs from normal to normal breedings, 9.3% of the progeny were dysplastic. In 2,576 dogs from a normal sire to a dysplastic dam, 18.8% of the progeny were dysplastic. In 4,086 dogs from a dysplastic sire to a normal dam, 18.9% were dysplastic. In 285 dogs from a dysplastic sire to a dysplastic dam, 33.7% were dysplastic. Thus your odds of obtaining a dysplastic dog were 3.62 times higher from a dysplastic to dysplastic breeding as from a normal-to-normal breeding.
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Elbows
Data from the same time period, 1994 through February 2003 involves progeny testing comparing elbow status to known sire and dam elbow status. The statistics are as follows:
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In Summary
Numbers as dramatic as these give one to pause when the genetic lottery is considered. Selection for phenotypic normal status greatly improves the breeder’s odds of normalcy (a win). Failure to select, results in greatly increased odds of a disappointing outcome (elbow or hip dysplasia.) So spin the wheel with the odds weighted in your favor--let's help all the dogs win!
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Some Added Notes
A conscientious breeder can further reduce the odds by doing further research into the status of the sire and dams grandparents as well as their littermates. In addition, with a frequently used sire, information is available on the OFA Data Base to look at the siblings of the potential sire. It is in the breeders best interest as well as the potential offspring, to do as much research as possible to combat this problem. While as this study shows that there is nothing we can do to completely eliminate the risk of either hip or elbow dysplasia, by being active in the breed, a conscientious breeder can become aware of a possible potential sire that seems to have a higher percentage of dysplastic offspring. It goes without saying that the breeder must take a realistic look at the dam in question, experience with prior litters, and the soundness of what is behind her. I personally feel with following the above criteria, using an older, well used sire, the normal to normal percentage of dysplasia can possibly be cut in half.
To really roll the dice, do you want to produce or obtain a puppy that no certified radiographs have been done on the parents? So-called breeders have tried to negate the use of OFA in planning a litter, saying that it does not make a difference. Dysplasia is going to pop up no matter what checks have been done. My opinion is that "breeders" like this either do not want to spend the money for the betterment of the breed or do not want to wash out one of their dogs that they have two years invested in. What kind of choice to you want to make?? As a breeder, do you want calls from a distressed puppy buyer with a problem of dysplasia on one of your puppies? As a future owner of a beloved family member do you want to risk purchasing a puppy where the odds are much greater for a dysplasia health issue and the resulting arthritic changes that will affect this dog? Are you prepared to provide 12 to 14 years special care to your pet? If all of this does not matter, seek out an irresponsible breeder, the newspapers are full of them. The vast majority of them do not care, they do not expect to hear from you anytime in the future and probably will not be around if you ever decide to seek them out anyway. If you purchase from a pet store, good luck on finding or even determining who the breeder is. It is now up to you. You can save a few bucks up front--but remember the old saying--"pay me now, or pay me later!"
It's up to you, buy your ticket, and let's play the lottery!