I'm a member of the KC ABS because I believe it's the right thing to do. I know I can health check without being in the scheme but I prefer to be a member, I just feel it's the right thing to do.

However, there aren't many members within my breed, so it leaves me with a limited choice of stud.

Do I come out of the scheme so I can use my choice of stud dog which is part ABS tested?

or

Do I stay in the scheme and use a fully health tested sire who isn't exactly what I want?

I know what my conscience is telling me.....but he's just what I'm looking for!

I don't know what breed you're talking about so have no idea what health tests are required. What is the reason for the owner of your preferred stud dog not health testing?

They do all except one.....I'm not sure why they don't do that one, I haven't discussed it with them yet. I obviously will before any decisions made.

It's always worth a chat with them, then it makes your options a little clearer.

Just as an aside, I'm sure I heard somewhere that you can still register litters from unhealth-tested parents, you just do it as non ABS.

I am not a member of the ABS, and never will be unless they change things (stop allowing puppy farmers to be members for a start) I know very few people who have remained in the scheme once they realised that it isn't working. So if you can find a suitable dog whose owner is NOT a member please don't assume that they don't health test their dogs. Not that I am saying that you are assuming this ;-)

I fully health test my dogs, and I wouldn't let my boy be used on a bitch that wasn't also fully health tested (though he hasn't been tested as yet, he will be before I make any decisions as to his future stud work) I also wouldn't breed from a bitch that wasn't fully health tested, and with good results. So, just because I am not an ABS member it doesn't mean I don't follow the code of ethics, just that I don't want to join a flawed scheme, and there are many others who think like this.

I am not a member of the ABS, and never will be unless they change things (stop allowing puppy farmers to be members for a start)

Not sure I could ever define somebody who does all required health tests for their breed as a puppy farmer. Back yard breeder yes.

I would always ask the the owner of any male I wanted to use to do the required health testing, I simply would not sue an unters5ted dog, no matter what, ABS not relevant really, as usually the testing required for ABS is often less than what the breed clubs advise.

My personal view is that all breeds should do hips and eyes (breeds that thought they had no eye issues then discover they do when they start having them checked) as a starting point and breed specific tests after that.

this sort of thing doesn't help: http://pedigreedogsexposed.blogspot.co.uk/

Mmm....it's the eye test that's missing.

I guess I could ask them to do it......

Breed club tests are the same as ABS......

It's not exactly an expensive test £50ish if done on your own but as little as £25 if done at a group session.

Manchester Champ show are offering eye testing.

The BVA website have a calendar of upcoming sessions normally.

Often the test isn't done unless someone asks to use the dog, as it needs to be 'current'

If it was me, I'd simply explain and say I'd love to use your dog but as an AB I can only use a dog that has been eye tested, so would you mind getting it done? If needs be I'd offer to pay for it as well. I would not be happy using an untested dog -AB or no AB.

Strange - it's the cheapest test and the one I would always get done first.  Try looking on the KC health tests and see if he has thrown any progeny with eye problems.

It could be that he is a maiden dog and not had the test yet as opposed to the owner not intending to test.  Or the eye test is out of date.

You can use a Stud that isn't on the ABS scheme.

You have to write to the ABS team for permission. Just tell them which dog you want to use and why you want to use him.

Once permission is granted you then have to inform any Puppy Purchaser that the Sire hasn't been tested.

Charlie, I would always use the best suited dog for my bitch. 
Of course health testing is important, but as Professor Bedford has said to me on many occassions, "As long as the condition isn't painful or won't interfere with a good 'dog life' then there is more to a dog than just a pair of eyes!"  :)