| GoldenQuest strives to produce the healthiest dogs
possible. We will not knowingly breed dogs that have health
problems and we test our breeding dogs annually to be sure that
no new problems develop.
We strive to have all of GoldenQuest's breeding dog's
hips
checked for hip dysplasia
using OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for
Animals) and/or PennHip tests. These tests are important because you
can't tell just by looking at a dog if it
has hip dysplasia. A dog may appear normal, especially when
young, and later develop advanced hip dysplasia. If bred thes untested
dogs may also produce dysplastic puppies. Hip dysplasia is painful
and crippling. It is estimated that 53% to 73% of golden
retrievers have hip dysplasia. Click here to see the data on data on hip
dysplasia. Much of this suffering can be prevented.
This
is why all breeding dogs should always have their hips cleared
.
We strive to have all of our breeding dog's heart
cleared by a
veterinarian practitioner or by a cardiologist. A SAS (Sub Aortic Stenosis)
clearance,
indicates that they have no known heart problems. It is
estimated that 30-80% of golden retrievers have SAS. Click here
to see the data on SAS.
We strive to have all breeding dogs current on
annual CERF (Canine
Eye Registration Foundation) exams by a veterinarian opthamologist,
indicating that the dog has no cateracts or serious genetic eye
problems.
We are starting to clear our dog's elbows dysplasia with OFA. It
is estimated that over 11% of golden retrievers have elbow dysplasia.
This
test is done at 24 months. Click here to see the data on elbow dysplasia.
There is a new disease to watch for in golden
retrievers, PRA (Progressive
Retinal Atrophy). This is a disease that causes
progressive blindness. Approximately 27% of all golden
retrievers
may be carriers/affected. Fortunately, there is a genetic test
for this disease. We have just started testing our dogs and have
several A, non affected, non
carrier dog. Click here to learn more about PRA in golden
retrievers.
Our cavalier king charles spaniels are screened for heart
disease. Heart mitral valve disease (MVD) is the leading cause of
death of Cavalier King Charles spaniels throughout the world. MVD is a
polygenetic disease which afflicts over half of all Cavaliers by age 5
years and nearly all Cavaliers by age 10 years.
Our cavalier king charles spaniels are screened for patella (knee cap)
problems. Although the prevelency of this disorder is small it
is very easily screened for and can be eliminated from breeding
lines. Click here to learn about data on patella
subluxation.
All this testing is done in order to breed to only the healthiest dogs
possible. Our goal is to produce a happy, healthy puppy for you
that will be
healthy for a lifetime.
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