Just phoned another vet for price on hip & elbow scoreing on a 12 month 37.5 kg GSD
Thought my own vet was expensive !!!
Other vet prices £353.22 + £80 to the BVA .
How come you all seem to be able to get it done cheaper lol
I live in Hertfordshire,anyone know a good cheaper vet  not too far away,needs to be good !!

a friend went to Manchester for her dogs - seems we're 'cheaper up north' ....

I go to Hereford as back in 2004 I was already paying £170 for hip scoring a 20kg dog. 

I paid £125 in 2010 at the Kington practice, (under sedation) and am going with her daughter next week.

I live in Hertfordshire,anyone know a good cheaper vet  not too far away,needs to be good !!
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Try vets in Beds or Bucks you may find they are less expensive, I used to use one in Leighton Buzzard, The Ark, and they were good and reasonable. Mind you that was a while ago so they may not be there now or perhaps you could try the MK or Hemel Hempstead areas.

personally from there I'd drive to Marilyn £110 for hips includind BVA fee

I  go to Marillyn for hips and elbows  total price £210  the bonus is you get  the x-rays to keep unlike vets

Just to confirm hip and elbow scoring under sedation with Marilyn is £210. And from where you are the fuel wont be excessive. She is in Eastleigh area of Hampshire :-)

Vets4pets wanted £350 + BVA fee, they also charge £300 for pet passport! Bloody robbery.
I have found another vet locally for £209 alltogether for a large dog.
Its in North East England.

Yep, I've been travelling to Marilyn from Leeds, and while cost is not the only factor in my decision, including petrol it still works out much cheaper than my vets!

Thanks for info suejaw,
could u give me phone num or email address of this lady.Do you think that this is the price of a GSd or a small breed ?

where in the northeast dogjunkie is that vet please

I paid £285 including BVA fee 2 years ago for a 9kg girl. Does Marylyn get over booked and is she available to anyone? How far in advance do you need to book Marylyn?

Can anyone please send me Marilyn's contact details please .

Will find her number for you, normally books up to 6 weeks in advance, all breeds are accepted and its a flat fee regardless of size/weight of dog!

Hartlepool

Thank you suejaw, Bella'.s due in season end may beginning of June ,when would be the best time to get her scored.Dexters now over a year old so he can go at the same time 2 for the price of one diesel wise lol

dogjunkie could you tell me which one please
karen

Just to add,I do not want to breed these dogs ,they are brother & sister from different litters .
But as we as a family are going through the 3rd Gsd with cdrm in 3 years, want to know that these two do not have bad hips /elbows to begin with.
Do scores reflect parents score (hopefully) or can they be better .I know that they can be worse for all sorts of reasons

WOW i didnt realise how expensive it is, I want to get my girl done when she is older, ill have to ask the vets who much they charge while im up there tomorrow.

Thanks for that, I would really appreciate it, I have a baby to get scored in a years time and I'd prefer not to part with what will no doubt be near £300 knowing my vets

They can be better can be worse. 

Now that I am into whole pedigrees with scores i do find there is a general pattern over the generations, without anything too out of the expected. 

I think the more genratiosn adn littermates etc scores you ahve the more accurate the picture and likelihood of gettign similar scores.

asked my vet they said it would be £70 for Bva £40 for first xray and £30 for other xrays and they would prob need to take 2-4 xrays so would be roughly £140-£200

Everyone who was asking for Marilyn's number, i've just moved so bare with me on trying to locate number of a list of numbers I have somwhere!!

Ok here is her number, being that people want it I don't see any issue printing it, been printed many times on threads previously!

01329 230052

:-D

does anyone if there is a good time to call her only i tried for 2 weeks leaving messages but never heard back from her

Also try this site . Info is in Docs about various checkers and prices    https://www.facebook.com/groups/170959846274011/

BVA/KC/ISDS Canine Health Testing Dates.You have to scroll down a bit to find this heading .

USEFUL CONTACT hips and elbow scoring

*********************************************
Cathcart & Winn Veterinary Hospital Ltd, Farnham, Surrey

Have been asked to give you all details of this - feel free to pass info on
For those looking for BVA Hip & Elbow X-raying Under Sedation
Cathcart & Winn Veterinary Hospital Ltd, Farnham, Surrey
We  are pleased to offer a service for BVA hip & elbow x-raying under  sedation, as we know owners are worried about putting their pets under  general anaesthesia. This is done onto digital x-ray plates, while the  owner waits.  The fee for this procedure, which is limited to obtaining  the x-rays only, is £120 plus VAT for the hips and £145 plus VAT for the  hips and elbows, and is available to both clients and non-clients.
To arrange an appointment please call 01252 721191 and speak to Roger Holden.
www.cathcartandwinn.com
*******************************************************
Esther and Marilyn Baker Southampton  01329230052        Plus lots more.

If anyone can get to Boston, Lincs, my old vet - Marshlands - charged £90 for hip x-rays last year for my collie bitch (weighs around 20kg) if that is any help.

Are you a facebook member of the BVA  site. Always appreciate more details  being put on there ...

I know this is an old thread - but its still very relevant today.

May I please ask the community for some help & guidance with this - I live near Heathrow Airport in London.

I would be willing to travel (car) quite far to get hips & elbow score done - as affordably as possible. Pet's at home vets are charging £440 + VAT!

As a family - we are new to all of this. We are hoping to gift a healthy Pup from our male GSD - to my sisters children (10 year old & 3 year old nephew/niece).

We want to do things the right way - with all paperwork & tests that are responsibly required.

Our GSD is 5 years old, and there have been no serious/major medical interventions of any sort in his lifetime so far.

We have been encouraged to pursue offering him as a stud - by multiple members of a 25 strong dog walkers & training group.

We keep receiving compliments about his shape/posture, square hips & specifically his child friendly temperament.

We feel blessed - and since he is half way through his life - we would like to bring a descendant into the family.

To any that can help guide us,

Warmest regards & thanks - from our family to yours,

Andle.

I hate to rain on your parade, but are members of this group knowledgeable about all the health testing that should be done on both dog & bitch before considering breeding from them ? It's not just hope & elbows nowadays there are a raft of DNA testing from AF( anal furunculosis) to DM(Degenerative radiculomyelopathy) plus a knowledge of the bloodlines(some now off a five generation pedigree)that carry idiopathic epilepsy( especially in English bloodlines were known epileptics have been bred to multiple times) ALL males in pedigree must be tested for vWD( von Willebrands disease)(again especially in English bloodlines continental bloodlines this is a compulsory test).

Being good with children doesn't mean his offspring will be & TBH is not a reason to breed from one's dog.

Also are you in a position to take in any of his offspring that are rejected by their owners ? as a stud dog owner you would be equally morally responsible for any offspring he produces

BTW what are"square hips" a dogs hips are not square as they are made up of multiple bones & the construction cannot be deduced from the external appearance of a dog

Hi Tommee,

Thank you for replying.

As they (the group) might not be knowledgeable about all the health testing - that should be done on both dog & bitch before considering breeding - I am posting here - asking for guidance & help.

I understand there are multiple tests that need to be done - hence I am asking the community for help in finding a way to get them all done - at a more affordable cost.

We want to do things properly & avoid any shortcuts (unlike everybody that does offer stags).

This means multiple tests - which means I need to find the cheapest providers to make this viable for a working family with two kids.

We would indeed be in a position to take care of any offspring that might be "rejected by their owners". We have a large extended family and there would be happy homes for them all to go to.

I understand that people commenting  "square hips" does not count as a diagnostic result - that's why I'm posting here on the forum, asking the community for guidance and help, taking time - researching properly - doing what it takes - to do it right.

I appreciate any help and guidance that community members are willing to contribute.

Our warm thanks to any willing to help,

Andle

You've also got to look at aside from his health and temperament which is a major thing is he endorsed on his kc certificate?
It's also a consideration that once used the behaviour can change towards other dogs and also within the home like scent marking. Some dogs don't change but others do become a lot more of a problem.  Do you want to risk that?
Normally any decent breeder with a very good bitch will look at dogs who are shown or worked to prove that they are of breed standard or have good workablity. If he's only a pet you are likely to get just pet people who are unlikely to have health tested their bitches nor have a clue about whether their girls should be bred on from.

Personally I wouldn't even at his age go down the route of allowing him to be used. You Will be partly responsible for any puppies bred and therefore if the owner of the bitch can't assist with any dogs who come back for rwhoming you may well be asked because the last thing any responsible breeder or stud dog owner will want is their pups to end up in rescue.

Please have a serious think about this.

Health testing wise he would need hip and elbows scored (as u know), eye testing, DM DNA test and breed club hemophila testing.

Any vet can xray for scoring, some vets charge alot for taking the xrays some charge less so you could call around for xray quotes, southern canine imagining is a good place with a good reputation. The BVA fee is currently £114 so it's that pluss what the vet charges to take the xrays.

The eye testing is done by specialist vets, current price is £56 and would need redoing after a year if not used by then but you still want him used. You can find testers here
https://www.bva.co.uk/canine-health-schemes/find-an-eye-panellist/

The DNA test as well as some other not recorded kc but for the breed (such as PLL, HemoA, Mdr 1 ect) and which labs they accept results from can be found here. The cost for DM is around £41
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health/for-breeders/dna-testing-simple-inherited-disorders/worldwide-dna-tests/

Breed club hemo is done threw idexx, price I don't know.

So your looking at about £400+ depending on vet costs to get his health testing done. However this doesn't mean that anyone will want to use him so you must be prepared for the chance you may pay out this money and never get any enquires.

You will need to think about why would anyone want to use your boy, with alot of good quality males out there why should a breeder want to use your boy over them? Have you worked, shown or competed in a sport with him? These places help prove your boys worth and show his good and bad points and also acts as a shop window for breeders when looking for a stud. If you brought him from a good breeder contact them as they should be able to help guide you with which lines to avoid putting him to, ones that could work well with him and may even know someone who would consider using him. Are you sure his kc reg is free from endorsements to prevent his pups being registered?

Next thing is the stud fee, your hoping for a pulpy back yes, I'm afraid to say an unproven stud studs fee is normaly lower espicialy if he isn't a proven working/show/sport dog so you may find breeders won't want to give you a puppy back as a stud fee when they could use a more proven male for the same price range.

You also need to keep in mind breeding him may have an effect on his behaviour, you will also need to be prepared to turn away owners of unsutible bitches, not just ones who arnt Beth tested but ones who are simply not a good match for him.

To be honest if your only considering it to have a pup back you may find it cheaper and easier to just buy a puppy.

> <br />To be honest if your only considering it to have a pup back you may find it cheaper and easier to just buy a puppy.

It certainly is & I would suggest Andle that if you contact the breeder of your dog, you may get a puppy that is related to him.

"Please have a serious think about this. "

Can I just add the very real fact that once allowed to mate, even just the one time, your boy will be looking for the next one!!   In other words your now loving pet may not be quite the same. 

Secondly, anybody who does use your dog will own the puppies he sires so your idea of gifting a puppy to family may not work out.

Thirdly - do you know enough to be sure of what might be the result of your dog put to any other bitch will be all good - testing apart?

If your family want similar, perhaps suggest they go to whoever bred your dog for something similar?   If they have an established bloodline, they should be able to buy 'similar'.   And lastly if he came from a reputable breeder, he would have had endorsements, if sold as an immature puppy - that would have to be lifted before any puppies he sires can be registered with the KC.   Have you talked to his breeder about this plan .... you might find they'd be interested in using him on one of their bitches, assuming he is a quality animal?

Thank you to those replying to my last post.

It is our intention to neuter him in the next two years - an eye will be kept on his behaviour until then.

He is kennel club registered - and his lineage full documented by the original breeder.

I will contact his original breeder to see how she feels about using him as a stud.

I suspect doing it that way - I still need to be responsible in getting the appropriate tests done - to give the puppies every best chance possible, and to proceed in the most thorough way.

If anybody could recommend a very cost effective testing point here and about London - I would be most grateful. I would be willing to travel out of London if the price justifies it.

We've just had twins.

We need the tests to be done properly - but at a highly cost effective rate.

Have you considered how he can improve the breed by being bred from ? This should be the aim of all people intending to breed from their dogs not just in looks, but health, mentally & considering the breed the working ability. Have you got a bitch lined up for him pending health tests of suitable breeding so that you are breeding away from epilepsy carrying lines(which will not be apparent on a  standard five generation pedigree) ??

People wishing to breed from their bitches should not simply use the nearest dog of the same breed & it's not the norm for dog owners to approach bitch owners to request their dog being used.

Hi Tommee,

That's why I'm here. If we are going to do this - it is with wisdom / advice and responsibility.

I am interested in understanding what it takes to do this responsibly - in a way that improves the breed - after having all the tests that such responsibility entails.

Health - asking for help with finding affordable testing + the nature of the tests.
Mentally - zero issues since birth - infact his temperament makes other envious.

We will do this slowly - not looking to rush - but proceed at a thoughtful pace. Again - at this stage - for what we can rightfully say - we have been blessed with a good starting point - and need help taking it further.

My respects and thanks,

Andle

The best place is southern canine imaging which is near Portsmouth. Many people from up north drive down to get their dogs xrayed there and it's a very mild sedation used as well. In and out pretty quickly.

You will need to check with your breeder because there maybe endorsements on his pedigree and if there are and she won't lift them even if all health tests have been done then none of his pups would be able to be registered which then seems rather pointless. So get the go ahead and any breeding endorsements lifted first or at least if she says if all results are good then she will lift so be prepared that you could spend all this mlney and get poor results or failure somewhere which means a non starter.
The cheapest tests are the DNA tests so I would do those first and if all good then head down the hops and elbows.

You are totally missing the point. You want to breed from your dog simply to get a "free" puppy to give to a family member & then you intent to castrate him(no sure why you want to castrate him)
You are looking for the cheapest hip/elbow testing before doing any DNA testing & it appears you know little or nothing about the bloodlines(not lineage)behind your dog as you have not answered any questions about epilepsy etc for which there are no tests, but known affected lines are traceable. How do you intend to check if a bitch's bloodlines are suitable for your dog ?

With a breed like GSDs it is extremely important that bloodlines are researched before any health testing for conditions like epilepsy. There are English bred dogs with 100s(yes 100s)of lines back to epileptic &/or epilepsy producing dogs that the owners/breeders are ignorant of because they have not done enough research. A family near me bought one such puppy who started having seizures at 10 weeks before she had even had her vaccinations & they had to have her PTS aged 17 weeks, checks made on her pedigree showed over 200 lines going back to a known epileptic dog- so sad & so blo**dy unnecessary if only people did their research

Wow didn't know that in gsds in which case it's imperative to know the lines of your boy and have someone who is knowledgeable who can read the pedigrees of any bitch who want  to use him well in advance then. But getting someone who knows the lines is a must to get your boys pedigree looked at

For anyone who wishes to breed/have a dog used a deep knowledge of the breed in depth is needed. So that the names of dogs in the pedigree are dogs that the person actually knows,  or has knowledge of their characteristics,  and what traits they produced.

So when a novice such as yourself wishes to add their animal to the gene pool they need to seek the mentorship of those who have this knowledge.

As a start this will normally be the breeder of their dog,  the owner of the dogs sire,  and ditto the owners and breeders of the grand parents.

By doing some research of animals in the pedigree and assembling their health data ( use the MYKC tool at the Kennel Club), you can see if the background of your dog looks promising before testing him.

You need to look on his KC registration form in the column "endorsements" and check if there are restructions.  Most reputable breeders place "Progeny not eligible for registration" and "not eligible for issue of an export pedigree" to protect their lines from being used irresponsibly.

The cheapest and best option for Hip and Elbow scoring will be Southern Canine Imaging (just Google them).

Have you checked the hip scores in his pedigree ? You only need his KC registered name to input on MYKC

I'm very confused... Who is the female which this male GSD is supposed to be put to??  I've tried to read back through earlier posts and I can't tell if I've missed something but I can't see it...

It's all very well to health test your male GSD but without any other qualifications, why would the owner of a female dog want to use your stud?? 

The owner of the female dog will want to choose a male dog which is going to sell puppies and make a pedigree look more distinguished/better than other pedigrees either through show qualifications or through performance qualifications - I guess for a GSD, the most popular sports are IPO, Mondio, working trials and the like.

A female dog owner can choose any stud dog to use - the world is her oyster - why would she choose a completely untitled male dog, whose main claim to fame and reason for being bred is because the stud owner wants a puppy to give to family members?!?!  Your dog at stud is in competition with these other titled dogs, and it's very unlikely that the owner of a female dog would want to use him - after you've spent all that money on health testing, too.

Offering a dog at stud is about way more than just health testing, it is about offering a SERVICE, as this article describes: www.wylanbriar.com/breeding-advice/so-you-would-like-to-stand-your-dog-at-stud/