"Health Tested Dogs" What does it mean?

Health tested parents is a big buzz word in the breeding world, but what does it mean really?

It essentially shows the breeder is putting effort at their own expense into the welfare of the puppies they create. Health tests are expensive and can mean removing a dog you had high hopes for from your program. So breeders usually promote it as a way to show they put puppies over profits and care about the dogs welfare. (Health tested and non health tested puppies cost about the same, so if you are health testing, your margins are less.) The results of the health tests are usually not perfect. But they are important information for the buyer.

Now, we know there is no such thing as a perfect animal. And all our dogs are going to die at some point. So, what is a health test and what does it tell you?

Backing up a step, it is important to understand that pure bred dogs are very inbred. That is how breeders have achieved the breed standards and predictability in coat, size, temperament, skills and more. And predictability is one of the biggest reasons 21st century dog owners want purebreds. (In the past it was because they were a symbol of wealth.) But, with the good predictable traits inbreeding brings, there is a ying to the yang. It also brings predictable problems. So, a good breeder is trying to maintain the desirable qualities and minimize the problems that come with it. Therefore, different health tests are recommended for different breeds.

What does this mean to the puppy buyer?

It means you can expect some problems with any and every dog. We are dealing with a species that nature didn't make. Nature started it. But Humans finished it. In pure/purpose bred dogs, lack of genetic diversity causes significant problems and if you highly prioritize breeding away from something you are probably creating something else. (Genes travel together). Not to mention we can't detect every potential problem. So it isn't simple. And every breeder, breed, and dog is bound to have some problems.

This is OK. Street dogs/strays have different traits such as intensive resource guarding and wanderlust that can be far more problematic in a 21st century family. The trick is determining which health issues are deal breakers for you.

How does one do that?

1. First determine which breed or mix you think will fit your family and lifestyle
   

2. Speak to an experienced veterinarian in your area about what chronic issues they see with the breed.
   

3. Divide those problems into two categories: A. Affects quality of life B. Does not affect quality of life The items in the latter (B) category would include things like retained baby teeth, sebaceous cysts, and inguinal hernias. They may be an expense you want to plan for. But once you fix them the dog can go on to live a quality life. Things in group A (affects quality of life) will cause pain, chronic discomfort, or lead to a shorter life expediency. Examples include environmental allergies, structural/joint pain, or heart failure. These are a bigger concern. Speak to the breeder and ask how they are mitigating the problems and what you might be prepared for. They may be doing health tests or using selective breeding and health histories of their parent dogs to attempt to mitigate common problems. Ask about longevity. Are the puppy's grandparents and great grandparents still alive? What issues have they had? Depending on how satisfactory the breeders answers are will determine if you want to move forward with them. Ask at least two breeders (more if possible) so you have a sense of how your chosen breeder/lines compares. Most experienced ethical breeders will talk pretty openly about any health concerns with the breed, a puppy, or the line. They know there is no such thing as a perfect animal and want you to make an informed decision.

What about mix breeds?

Mixing breeds will sometimes mitigate health or behavior issues. However, genetic health problems can still be passed down. So recommended health testing for the breeds involved is still important.

Why is it critical to talk to a local vet?

Because environmental allergies can vary by region. What vets in Minnesota are seeing with a given breed could be very different from Arizona. Also lines vary so breed health and temperament can vary by region.