Hi,
I've taken over a (long standing) breeding kennel. The previous owner was a bit 'old school' and didnt do any health tests and just monitored his lines. I must say that he maintained a very good reputation for having/breeding healthy dogs.
But I would like to get at least the most important health tests done on the younger dogs I have (the one's who havn't been bred from). And eventually get everyone health tested for everything important, but it may take me awhile as it's going to cost alot!!!!!
The trouble I'm having is all the websites I've looked at are a bit mind boggling! About what needs testing and how you go about getting it done!
I have Cocker Spaniels. So I know I have to get a PRA test, now am I right in thinking that this is now done by testing the DNA rather than eye testing every year?
What about FN (the kidney disease I think)?
And what about hipscores?
The dogs I have are all good examples of the breed and I am hoping to show them. They all have brilliant temperaments and I know the risks/cost of breeding. I recently had a litter born dead by c-section so know that it can be heart breaking at times.
Thanks for any help!

Cockers have GPRA(generalised progressive retinal atrophy) , CPRA(CPRA Central progressive retinal atrophy)  & Goniodysgenesis/primary glaucoma. There are only two DNA tests for Cockers-one is Progressive Retinal Atrophy (prcd- GPRA) & the other is Familial Nephropathy (FN).

Add to this Hip Dysplasia which the hips need X raying & scoring before breeding & MOD( Multiocular defects) & PPM( Persistent pupillary membrane)these last two are currently under investigation

The DNA samples can be drawn by your GP vet & sent to the appropriate lab, the Hip Scoring the plates can be taken by your GP vet(if they are experienced in doing hip X raying for scoring. the clinical eye tests have to be carried out by a BVA/KC/ISDS panellist. the clinical eye tests must be annually tested

There is good information on health testing on the Cocker Spaniel Club site.  I have to say not many Cocker breeders hip score particularly in the particolours and the club does not push for it but the other tests really should be done before breeding.  Have any of these dogs been show?  Again I really would not want to breed if they have not successfully been shown.  It is all very well believing they are very nice dogs but having expert oppinion on that is the only justification for breeding dogs of which there is already an over abundance and it concerns me a little that you refer to this as a breeding kennel rather than a show kennel.

Thanks, I'll have a discussion with my vet about DNA samples then.

That's why I said I hope to show them, to get some feedback about them. The trouble is I don't have a lot of free time to get to shows! And the closest shows are at least three hours away! The one's I have brought with me have been very lightly shown and placed.

I just meant a kennel of dogs really! I havnt bred much with them! I have a big waiting list for puppies, mainly people coming back for their 2nd/3rd dogs from these lines. As I said the previous owner had a good rep. I don't like having puppies around christmas/new year.

I sorry this sounds like a commercial enterprise :-(  I am disappointed to hear that you have bred from them already before learning anything about the breed. 

I think I've misunderstood - your posts read as though you've bred from your dogs before having the necessary assessments and health tests done, and of course you wouldn't do anything like that!

I havn't bred from them before health tests, the previous owner had. Several of the dogs where pregnant when I took them on. I havn't had any of them mated since.

I know alot about the breed, have done years of research and spoken to lots of breeders. I've been involved with dogs for years, I work with them, live with them. They are my life and I care a great deal about every dog I own. I'm not in it for the money, they are my pets.

I was just asking for advice on which health test people advise, on here. As different breeders test for different things, some place more imporance on some test rather than others. That is all.

I've used this site for information for years and have never posted before as newcomers seem to get attacked as soon as they mention breeding. Everyone has got to start somewhere and I'm trying to do the right thing. I realise that you are all just looking out for dogs as a whole but people are asking for advice on how to do things right.

> As different breeders test for different things, some place more imporance on some test rather than others. That is all.

The Breed Club's recommendations are the sum of the largest consensus you are likely to get on the subject.

> I realise that you are all just looking out for dogs as a whole but people are asking for advice on how to do things right.

The two things go hand in hand.

> I havn't bred from them before health tests, the previous owner had. Several of the dogs where pregnant when I took them on. I havn't had any of them mated since.
>

> They are my life and I care a great deal about every dog I own. I'm not in it for the money, they are my pets.
>

Maybe I'm just being thick, but these two statements seem a little contradictory. You 'took on' several in whelp bitches, but they are all your 'pets'?

> newcomers seem to get attacked as soon as they mention breeding.

Not all newcomers, but I don't think it's surprising, when what you seem to be implying is a commercial breeding kennel.