Why is dog health testing in breeding so necessary

Health testing is vital to preserve the health of our dog breeds. Many inherited diseases can now be tested for and therefore prevented. As a breeder it is your responsibility to breed the healthiest puppies you can. 

Not only is failing to health test irresponsible, it is immoral. Failing to test leaves dogs and puppies unprotected from illness and disease that could have been avoided by having a full and clear picture of the health of the parents prior to breeding. 

It also contributes to the unwanted dog problem with more dogs ending up in rescue centers, when the owners of sick dogs can no longer afford or manage to keep them. 

Why health test your dog before breeding?

Health testing BEFORE deciding to breed is vital to protect the long term health of your breed and the individual puppies you will be responsible for. Just because your dog “looks” healthy does not mean they are. Many genetic diseases develop in later life, and it is likely you are breeding from a younger animal. If your dog is predisposed to health issues they may simply not have surfaced yet and you could be breeding puppies that will be affected. 

Dogs are resilient and diseases are often not apparent until they are advanced. The only way to know if a dog is free from an inheritable disease is to use health screening. 

The future implications for puppies are vast, from compromised quality of life to behavioral issues. There are many many thousands of instances where young dogs and puppies are affected by arthritis, blindness, heart problems, hearing problems. These are life limiting issues for dogs and many of them are preventable. No one wants to breed dogs that are at risk of living in pain, so test before you breed and be clear on the whole picture. 

Your reputation is at stake if you fail to undertake the advised and required testing for the puppies you produce. More and more owners are refusing to purchase puppies from untested parents, which is wonderful news for the dogs of our future - because if that trend continues, they will be healthier and healthier, which - as dog lovers - is surely what we want to achieve! 

Set yourself apart from the backstreet breeder who cuts corners and saves a few pennies by failing to health test and ensure you start your breeding journey on the right paw. Don’t breed blind. 

Should both dogs be health tested? 

The genetic influences of BOTH parents will affect the puppies, therefore BOTH parents should undergo the relevant testing. Only testing one puppy parent is limiting your understanding to only half of the picture and still leaves puppies at risk from health problems. 

What health tests should dogs have? 

Required dog health tests vary from breed to breed. There can be DNA testing, Hip and Elbow Scoring, Eye testing, Heart testing and hearing tests and every breed has its own requirements. Some breeds are genetically healthier than others, and if your breed is predisposed to health issues, you will find details of the required and advised tests by contacting your breed club or checking out the Kennel Club’s advice. 

Your vet can also be a great source of information around health testing and will be able to support you in finding the right screening methods for your breed. 

How to check health test results of any dog

If you are thinking of buying a puppy, or you are looking for a stud dog to use and you are unsure of the health status you can check here for all of the recorded testing that the dog or the parents of your potential puppy has undergone; 

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/health-test-results-finder/

Read Next: 5 signs your dog is a good candidate for breeding 

This article is a guest post kindly contributed by Rebecca Walters of Pupstarts Breeders. Pupstarts provide dog breeding courses to help ethical dog breeders to breed, whelp and raise puppies responsibly, safely and with absolute confidence. 

Learn more at www.pupstartsbreeders.com