Margaret C
Well-known member
Hopefully breeder focus on health will also tie in to understanding better that breeding below the ages at which early onset problems start to be seen on average (the 2.5-3 year recommendations), is the same as not testing at all
It would seem that health representatives believe that quoting numbers of heart tests performed at dog shows ( how many of those dogs would be under two and a half ?) somehow proves that there are plenty of tested cavaliers available.
A book of Cavalier Statistics for 2011 show that 51% of show litters have at least one parent under two and a half years.
So that is over half of those litters out of the equation if someone is looking for a puppy from properly health tested parents.
So among the other 49% how many will have official eye certificates and heart and MRI scans done after the age of 30 months?
How many would comply with the MVD and SM health protocols that are part of the UK Cavalier Club's Code of Good Practice?
To get an idea we could start with the health representatives. They will surely set the standard in ethical breeding, especially the gentleman who has written "So I find it beyond comprehension that the author of this statement can't find a tested cavalier."
I looked up his last three registered litters in the Kennel Club Breed Record Supplement:
A 13 month dog mated to a 19 month bitch. The dog does not have any eye test shown on the KC website.
A 19 month dog mated to a 4 year old bitch.
The same 13 month dog mated to a 3 year 3 month bitch having her third litter.
On this evidence I would advise the puppy buyers that come to me not to touch this breeder with a barge pole. I would not consider these the actions of a responsible breeder nor would I consider these litters came from properly health tested parents.