a matter of opinion...please help

northernboxr · #1 08-09-2006, 06:48 PM

Hello!
I'm sure questions like this get posted a lot, but I think my situation is at least a bit unique and I would like some opinions. Sorry this post is so long.

I am on the hunt for a great breeder and I think I have found "the one"....The breeder seems amazing, personable and very prompt with answering any of my questions. She has invited me to her home to meet my future boxer's mom (dad is from another home, but she also said I can meet him when the time comes). She invited me out to a show she is doing close to my home because her and I live quite far away. She invited me to visit the litter of puppies that is due soon as soon as their eyes are open, just so that I can see how they are raised. None of those dogs are available, and I'm not ready for a puppy until the spring anyway...but I still thought it was a really nice offer that was very reassuring.

All in all, I get an amazing vibe from this breeder. She satisfies me in every way. I have been searching for the right breeder for a long time now because I want the healthiest dog possible…so here is the catch:

She doesn't do much health testing. I know this is a big deal, especially in the boxer that is prone to so many health problems. She told me that in the last 26 years, not one of her dogs in her lines have had hip displasia ( I haven't yet asked about all of the other disorders). But the female's mom lived to be 13 and her father to 11 and a half, which is great I think.

She just doesn't strike me as a BYB in any way at all and I consider myself fairly educated on the topic.

So what should I do? Should I abandon the breeder that seems like a match made in heaven? Even with champion parents and an apparently healthy blood line? Sighhhhh

thanks for any suggestions!

Kerry Jane · #2 08-10-2006, 06:37 AM

Well, I would be seriously concerned about the lack of health testing - regardless of how nice she seemed. To me the MOST important health test that I would want to see done is the heart - I would want to know that both parents have been holtered and also cleared of SAS. If this was not done, I would walk away, in a hearbeat.
I would decide what health tests are important to you, then speak with this breeder and tell her that you would require these tests to be done in order to get a puppy from her, and see what she says.

ehayes21 · #3 08-10-2006, 07:38 AM

I have heard of a couple show breeders who have been in the business for over 20 years that do not do much health testing. They feel that their lines are proven, etc...I would ask about the other health tests and if possible get some references. It's a thought, but I think it all comes down to what you are comfortable with.

JulieM · #4 08-10-2006, 12:37 PM

I agree with Kerry Jane. I'm lenient on hip testing if other things fall into place (though I think it would be more truthful to say none of the dogs she's bred have been *diagnosed with* hip dysplasia *as far as she's aware*). However, I would at least want to see auscultation/Doppler and Holter on the parents - because heart problems are in *all* lines, whether she admits it or not. Sometimes the breeders who have been doing it forever and "haven't seen any problems" are the most dangerous kind, because their dogs *are* passing on these conditions but they refuse to admit it's from their side of the pedigree....

**GoCougs** · #5 08-10-2006, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieM

Sometimes the breeders who have been doing it forever and "haven't seen any problems" are the most dangerous kind, because their dogs *are* passing on these conditions but they refuse to admit it's from their side of the pedigree....

Agree 100%. This is "old hat". Old breeders who reject that things aren't like they used to be. We don't just bury our head in the sand anymore and say, "not my line".

I also agree with Julie about the hip dyplasia. You can't know your dogs don't have hip dysplasia if you don't test for it. Her dogs may have never had crippling hip dysplasia, but this disease has the potential to get progressively worse as it is passed on.

And lastly, I will 3rd the motion on heart testing. A normal looking healthy boxer can drop over dead one day out of completely nowhere from cardiomyopathy. You don't always know your dogs have it if you don't at least screen for it. Any breeder who wouldn't holter a dog is completely irresponsible in my book. This is the least intrusive, and least expensive of all of the health tests done.

You have a lot of questions that need answered.

Good luck.

northernboxr · #6 08-11-2006, 08:31 PM

Thanks everyone!

I guess I am just getting too excited too quickly about getting my dog. I have been yearning for a boxer for years now (hence being a member of bw without even having the dog yet!). Plus, I am not planning on getting my new dog until the spring time anyway, so I still have lots of time to keep looking!

I just can't seem to find the perfect breeder. But, I am sure they are out there- I just need to be patient and keep looking. I keep getting fairly rude responses from a lot of breeders in my province and perhaps this breeder's enthusiasm won me over.

I really appreciate your input and I'll keep searching. I did get a pretty nice response this morning from another breeder who does ausculation, CardioPet and certified hips!!! (and the mom-boxer is a beautiful Argentinian import)

I'm sure the other breeder had great dogs, but why take a chance with the baby I could have for over a decade!?
Thanks again everyone for helping me make a hard decision. It will all be worth it in the end!!

Kerry Jane · #7 08-12-2006, 05:21 AM

Yes, keep looking - there are LOTS of really nice breeders in Canada who do health test their dogs.

Good luck with your search!