anniemac
Well-known member
When Ella was first diagnosed, instead of offering to pay for surgery, her breeder offered another Cavalier puppy when the time was right. Her puppies are about $2500 and granted at the time she was not scanning, she does have pretty good health records on heart. I wrote a blog recently about how you can not put a price on health, which I believe. I do not have a lot of money and I'm still having to pay for Ella's debt, so I know I will only get a rescue or not spend money on a puppy whose breeder does not do all health tests.
Margaret said in a previous post about older dogs. If I got a puppy, I would have to worry about SM (if she did not screen and even if she did unless A to A- I think there is still a chance) and other health issues. I really don't want a puppy and when I say "older dog" I mean one that is over 1. So I asked my breeder and she has Tiffany that she is going to place.
Tiffany is 6 years old and related to Ella's mother. I think of SM showing signs the majority of the time before 4 and I also know that Ella has some SM genes on fathers side. She has not been scanned. She just had a litter so I can check OFA to see her heart, patella, etc. records because her breeder does that before she breeds a dog. If she is six and a clear heart, then good I guess. I can visit her and see if she displays any SM symptoms. That is about all I could do besides having her scanned which I don't see the point if she is no longer breeding and not showing any signs.
I think about her being older than Ella and the fact that she has had litters. I don't think very many by but are there health issues with dogs that have been breed?
That's one thing. If I was offered a "free" puppy, I hate to say it but I might want one a little younger. I really want to talk to her. I almost would like to offer to pay to have one of her Cavaliers go to LIVS to be Scanned and wait for one of those puppies. I would save money and pay for that. I don't know how to do that but I also think there is something being offered closer to me that I can not post yet.
I think she breeds her dogs later in life (which is good) so but I think Ella needs someone just a little younger.
At a dog show, I met some breeders in a regional club I respect and they talked about me wanting a puppy and if I would show. I don't really care for that, but I know there is a male breeder in the club with an A stud. The other members were going to get their dogs scanned. Like someone said, if they do have puppies they would go for a pretty penny if they are bought as a pet, be used for show, or kept for breeding. I don't care about showing or breeding. I just want a companion for Ella.
Rescue, there is a 5 year old that is cute but has "skin allergies". I can't help to be scared of this one. I have read some that are available and some already have heart issues or can not be around other dogs. Plus, I would still be paying an adoption fee that would be similar to the amount of paying for an MRI (for a breeder). There are low cost MRI's for breeders available but unfortunately they are quite expensive for a pet owner.
I am in no hurry, but i want to think about these things. Thanks for any insight again. I am going to a dog show in January near where she is and I want to be able to talk about some choices.
Margaret said in a previous post about older dogs. If I got a puppy, I would have to worry about SM (if she did not screen and even if she did unless A to A- I think there is still a chance) and other health issues. I really don't want a puppy and when I say "older dog" I mean one that is over 1. So I asked my breeder and she has Tiffany that she is going to place.
Tiffany is 6 years old and related to Ella's mother. I think of SM showing signs the majority of the time before 4 and I also know that Ella has some SM genes on fathers side. She has not been scanned. She just had a litter so I can check OFA to see her heart, patella, etc. records because her breeder does that before she breeds a dog. If she is six and a clear heart, then good I guess. I can visit her and see if she displays any SM symptoms. That is about all I could do besides having her scanned which I don't see the point if she is no longer breeding and not showing any signs.
I think about her being older than Ella and the fact that she has had litters. I don't think very many by but are there health issues with dogs that have been breed?
That's one thing. If I was offered a "free" puppy, I hate to say it but I might want one a little younger. I really want to talk to her. I almost would like to offer to pay to have one of her Cavaliers go to LIVS to be Scanned and wait for one of those puppies. I would save money and pay for that. I don't know how to do that but I also think there is something being offered closer to me that I can not post yet.
I think she breeds her dogs later in life (which is good) so but I think Ella needs someone just a little younger.
At a dog show, I met some breeders in a regional club I respect and they talked about me wanting a puppy and if I would show. I don't really care for that, but I know there is a male breeder in the club with an A stud. The other members were going to get their dogs scanned. Like someone said, if they do have puppies they would go for a pretty penny if they are bought as a pet, be used for show, or kept for breeding. I don't care about showing or breeding. I just want a companion for Ella.
Rescue, there is a 5 year old that is cute but has "skin allergies". I can't help to be scared of this one. I have read some that are available and some already have heart issues or can not be around other dogs. Plus, I would still be paying an adoption fee that would be similar to the amount of paying for an MRI (for a breeder). There are low cost MRI's for breeders available but unfortunately they are quite expensive for a pet owner.
I am in no hurry, but i want to think about these things. Thanks for any insight again. I am going to a dog show in January near where she is and I want to be able to talk about some choices.