something I need from all of YOU

[Gina Heitz <brier@oregonsbest.com>]

Hi All,

As the numbers of goldens increase I am becoming more alarmed about
overall quality of the breed and health.  I don't place many dogs in
show homes where it's a given that the dogs will be screened for health
related issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia eye problems or heart
problems.  While there has not been cause for alarm with Brier dogs
meaning very few dogs we have produced have presented with outward signs
that there is a reason to look, moving forward I think for the breed
going on it's popularity,  it's time to start asking even the pet
homes to start doing some screening.  I realize that not everyone is
going to want to participate in this in hind sight study I am purposing
and I do not intend on applying pressure on any of you but if I don't ask
then what do I gain?  So please read this over and if you would like
to discuss it on the list let's!  If you would prefer to write me
privately please do. 

Gina :-)  

What it means to have a Golden Retriever

Most people who look to this breed want to have one or two to share
the lives because they make great family pets.  While this is true,
there is more to owning a golden than simply providing a wonderful
home.  This is a very popular breed, #2 in AKC registrations. 
This places responsibility for care-taking on all of us.   When
you choose to bring a golden into your life you should consider yourself
a steward to the breed.  Whether we are breeders or not, show or not
we owe it to the dogs to be fair responsible and equitable to the
breed.  

One aspect of being a steward to this breed is that all of us have to
help maintain the health of the breed.  I think I’ve done a good job
conveying  my desire to produce healthy, happy dogs.  But to
continue to do that, breeders like myself need our puppy people to
help.  I’m confident that the breedings I’m doing produce great
tempered, healthy dogs, but some of that requires verification.  In
the past it's not been standard to ask/require pet homes to do health
certifications, however I believe it's time to start.  Where you can
help with this is to plan to have your dog cleared for hips and elbows,
heart and eyes, as I do with our breeding dogs.  The extended
information of prodigy and siblings is valuable information.  The
health issues that this breed has, coupled with the popularity and the
lack of information avail is simply due to the fact that many of these
dogs are placed as pets who are not cleared for health concerns.  I
feel that its time for change if this breed is to maintain it's
reputation of a sturdy dog, happy healthy pet. 

What does it mean to you, as pet owner?  Mainly, it is cost. 
To have the hips and elbows done, it’s generally somewhere between
$100-$200, depending on the veterinarian you use.  Your regular vet
may not be your best option for this procedure and I can provide you with
a referral to a vet who works with breeders to insure that you are
working with a veterinarian who has the expertise in this field. 
Not all vets have a lot of experience in x-raying hips and elbows for the
specific purpose of submission to the OFA . To have eyes checked can
range anywhere from approximately $20 at a CERF eye clinic to $40-$50 at
a veterinary ophthalmologist’s office.  Again, I will try to help
you find CERF clinics in your area if you need me to do so.  Or if
you live close enough to me you can come here when I have the
ophthalmologist come out to check our dogs yearly.  Heart clearances
are normally done by board certified veterinarian cardiologist and a
cardiologist can be hard to come by.  Therefore since most vets can
detect murmurs I do not see the need to ask you to seek out a
cardiologist, however if you choose to do this please contact me for help
with a referral.  There may be a problem with availability of a
cardiologist in some areas and you may not be able to provide this
information as easily as some of the other info. 

It’s very important to me to have as much information as possible on each
puppy I produce which should be important to you as well.  It will
help me to plan future breedings as well as helping other breeders plan
their breedings.  I will want to know if your golden gets sick or
has any problems so I can incorporate as much information as possible to
move forward with only producing healthy goldens.  As you know, I am
concerned about this breed overall. Again, I feel it's time to make
changes in the requirements of the past where breeders did not require
those who simply want a pet to love and have not conveyed the importance
of clearances on seemingly healthy pets. 

 In the past I have not required clearances of my pet homes, as it
has not been standard in the breed to ask this of pet homes. My mentors
in the breed have not advocated this, but now as I step into the shoes of
mentor I feel this is important, for the breed, therefore I am asking you
to please consider compliance.  Please contact me for more specific
information. 


For those of you who already live with Brier dogs I totally understand if
you do not wish to follow though with this new requirement and I do not
intend to put pressure on you to comply.  However, I would hope that
you would contact me for further discussion if you are feeling uneasy or
pressured.  I do want to stress this is not due to any reported
problems with Brier dogs but simply growth on my part as a responsible
breeder.  This is an additional commitment on my part, an effort to
insure that the past moves forward with a positive with continued good
heath of the breed in mind. 

For those of you just now considering a Brier dog, if any of the above
seems too stringent for you, or too difficult, that’s okay. It’s not a
bad thing if you don’t think you are capable, and perhaps you should
consider another breed or breeder.  For me though, it is important
that you understand the commitment you need to make to me, to the breed
and to a puppy.