posted by carrie:
it is a sad fact of the way we have bred dogs that problems like these are part and parcel of the pedigree dog. This is what makes me, for one, so angry to be told that I am extreme in my views when I say we should be working towards healthier dogs. If this means losing lines that have been around for over fifty or seventy years so be it!>>>>>>

I agree that much more needs to be done concerning the health of our dogs.
(money is involved, and lets not forget that most of our problems lies with the puppy mills and backyard breeders who do not test at all.
I wish AKC would create a policing policy instead of only being a record/info. keeper of dogs.
AKC could do a lot if they would refuse to register any dogs litters who parents have not been DNA and health tested for certain diseases. (these records should be open to the public) The ACA breed club gives a portion of their dues to health and breed rescue.
My male Akita since I can remember never
liked to jump, he used to have a limp on his right front leg to. In 4 months (per the agreement with his breeder)I will be having his hips etc. x-rayed. I hope his hips will receive a good or excellent rating, but if they do not I will not be surprised.
I use to own a GSD with very bad hips.
She lived a good life till she was 12 years old.
Yes, something needs to be done. I am tired of the heartache of having a dog suffer or pass away because of disease.
Off my soap box now!