Health, Puppies & Stud Dogs
The current mantra of the Kennel Club is “FIT FOR LIFE, FIT FOR PURPOSE” and this is very close to my heart. I have for many years endeavoured to breed Golden Retrievers that were suitable as companions, to live with the old or young, or to work in either the shooting field or as assistance dogs. They can make stunning show dogs and enthusiastic agility or obedience dogs. As a breed they can wear many hats and are keen to try whatever you have the patience to teach them.
The Golden Retriever is a very healthy breed, but like any living creature and of course that includes us, they suffer from disease. By carefully screening the animals we include in our breeding programmes we can hopefully reduce the chances of the heartbreak that disease and disability can cause so with the help of the British Veterinary Association and the Kennel Club we follow their health guidelines.
HIP & ELBOW SCORING SCHEMES
This is done at twelve months of age by your veterinary surgeon. The dog is x-rayed and the plates are submitted to the British Veterinary Association where they are given a hip score by a panel of specialist vets. The score can range from 0 to 53 on each hip with a maximum total score of 106. Each hip is scored separately and may have different numbers. The lower the score the better. The breed average in Golden Retrievers is a total figure of around 20. Before breeding you must hip score. At Crufts 1998 the British Veterinary Association and the Kennel Club launched a new scheme for the grading of elbows. All of my stock are elbow scored as well as hip scored upon reaching one year.
EYE TESTING SCHEME
The certificate is held for one year and then has to be renewed. Only a limited number of veterinary surgeons can issue eye testing certificates. The test confirms that the dog is free from Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and Hereditary Cataract (HC). Before breeding you must have eyes tested. I also have the gonioscopy test done on my dogs to assess the predisposition of glaucoma. Not often seen in the Golden Retriever glaucoma is more usually associated with Flatcoated Retrievers, and I am delighted to say they are all clear.
HEART TESTING
There is no official heart testing scheme for the Golden Retriever, by I have taken the opportunity of getting all of my dogs examined by Mark Oakley BSc BVN&S CertSAC MRCVS the cardio specialist and I am pleased to say they are all clear.
PUPPIES AND STUD DOGS
If you are looking for a stud dog or a puppy, do get in touch. There may well be a litter of puppies due near you or maybe even here at “Blackthorns” contact me directly on 01252 850537 or email me at heather@xanthos.co.uk and I will happily send you details of what is available.
Xanthos puppy sleeping