Here are the Worst Excuses which some breeders actually use to explain why they do not health test their breeding stock.
#. I refuse to have my dog hips-elbows(etc) x-rayed because they will get sick from xraying and sedation! Veterinarians and veterinary assistants who are competent with radiography equipment can x-ray the hips of dogs without any problems, for Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) evaluations. You do not get sick when you have x-rays for broken bones or teeth nor does your dog.
#. Heath tested and cleared dogs still could be carriers for a genetic defect and produce defective puppies, so why bother? Genetic health test clearances do not guarantee that puppies will be disease-free, but the odds in favor of producing genetic disease-free puppies are greatly increased when only tested and cleared dogs are bred, and therefore it is irresponsible to the puppies and the buyers to not test and clear all breeding stock.
# I can tell whether any of my dogs have hip-elbow dysplasia by watching how they walk, so I don't need to have their hips-elbow x-rayed! Wrong! Even board certified veterinary orthopedists cannot accurately diagnose or eliminate the possibility of hip-elbow dysplasia by watching dogs walk and move about.
#. Whether I health test my dogs and what the results may be are nobody's business but my own! Wrong! It is irresponsible to the breed, to other breeders, and to buyers to refuse to disclose genetic health test results of breeding dogs.
#. Current health tests are not always accurate, and I won’t health test my dogs until I know that the results will be totally accurate and definitive! While there never are absolute guarantees in medical testing, the recommended health testing procedures are the most accurate ones available and are updated as additional scientific information becomes available. This excuse is the last refuge of the irresponsible breeder who refuses to recognize what harm he is doing to the breed by breeding only for looks and ignoring severe genetic health defects.
#. Health testing is just a marketing tool used by some breeders! Wrong, again! Another ofen-used excuse for not health testing breeding stock. Claiming to health test, but not actually fully health testing and disclosing the results, is a marketing tool used by many breeders.
#. Too much health testing will prevent me from producing dogs of proper type and temperament! So, what this breeder ends up producing is pretty doggy which are much more likely to suffer.
#. There is no [hips-elbow etc problems] in my bloodlines! Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Every breed bloodline is infected with all of these severe genetic defects.
Finally, the ultimate attempt by irresponsible breeders to "put down" the puppy buyers who ask the tough questions is this one: I know what I'm talking about and you don't because I'm a breeder and you're not! I breed for 10-20-40 years and you re just a person who likes dogs:)
