Re: something I need from all of YOU

["Michael Tonkinson" <TONKINSM@labs.wyeth.com>]

Gina,
I do share your concern based on observations that I've made on other Goldens and their environments. I would like to talk with you more concerning this matter.
In addition, we would be very interested in visiting this Sunday if it would fit in to your schedule.
Let me know,
Mike

Michael E. Tonkinson
Area Development Manager
Wyeth Ayerst Labs
Tonkinsm@labs.wyeth.com

>>> Gina Heitz <brier@oregonsbest.com> 06/04 9:28 PM >>>
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.