Re: something I need from all of YOU

[Ilene Cook <asorosgd@ameritech.net>]

I agree. Gina is doing a great thing. I have been quiet up until now, as
this is a very depressing time for me as a breeder. I have to place one
of my precious girls. She has low thyroid and can't be bred. This is a
genetic condition. Now, her hips, elbows, heart, and eyes are all clear.
This is so heartbreaking for me. Who can give her a better home and more
love than me? There is someone, I am sure, but still, my heart aches. I
love this girl, and looked forward to the puppies she would have
produced. What this means is, some breeder before me, ignored the
thyroid problem and bred her dog. If she cared to keep track of all the
thyroid problems that said dog produced through the generations, she
would probably hide her head in shame. She doesn't want to know though,
cause how would she sleep at night. Bravo Gina, for wanting to know!! It
seems there is few of us left that can say "The buck stops here".

                                    Ilene

Brooks.Reneej@epamail.epa.gov wrote:
> 
> Hi All,
>      As a scientist, I applauded Gina's idea to get more data on the dogs
> she produces.  We drool over data...  If this type of data was available
> for all goldens, it would answer all our questions on the degree of
> heritability for these traits, and the effect of environment and diet.   As
> it is, Gina is making the best decisions she can on a very limited dataset.
> If she increases that data, her decisions and her future pups will benefit.
> Now if all breeders did that, then one could pick sires and dames not only
> on their genetic pedigree, but also on the pedigree of the dogs they
> produced.   Now that would be something.   With the information she is
> asking of us, and her longevity work, Gina will be producing the best dogs
> possible in terms of health and longevity.  Plus, dog geneticists will love
> to get their hands on datasets like Ginas.   It's the only way to truly
> understand what is happening with the breed and hopefully make positive
> corrections.
> 
> Hats off to Gina for trying!
> Renee
> 
> ************
> J. Renee Brooks
> Western Ecology Division
> U.S. EPA/NHEERL
> 200 SW 35th St.
> Corvallis, OR 97333
> (541) 754-4684 (Office)
> (541) 754-4799 (FAX)
> Brooks.ReneeJ@epa.gov
> 
> 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 :-)
> 
> SNIP...

-- 
Ilene Cook
asorosgd@ameritech.net
http://asoros.tripod.com/asoros.html