Hi all,

Wondering if you could offer some advice. We are looking to get a working cocker spaniel pup but have some mixed messages over health testing. Our research seems to indicate both parents should be health tested clear (PRA etc.) yet many of the reputable gundog breeders only have one parent tested. Is it a necessity to have both parents clear on health tests?

I find it unlikely that they would be breeding the sire/dam if it were not safe for the litter (most certainly seem to care about their dogs and any previous litters) but just want some peace of mind as this will be our first working cocker.

Thanks.

Some working cocker people seem to think that they're invincible and don't need any testing. Some are hip scoring these days fortunately, but not many.

It depends on the genetic test really. PRA in cocker spaniels is an autosomal recessive condition. So if one parent is tested clear then if the other parent is untested then the worst the puppies can be is a carrier- it cannot be affected. It is better to test, and I dare say the more responsible breeders will, but if a parent is clear it's not the end of the world if the other isn't tested when considering autosomal recessive conditions.

If one of the parents is clear (check the test results!) for PRA and AMS then as previously stated, the pup will not be affected, at worst they could be a carrier. You would obviously need to test the pup as well if you intended to breed from it.
The biggest problem I have seen with working cockers recently is luxating patella. This is not tested for and can be difficult for you to see.
Are you wanting a working cocker to work/compete? If so, it would be prudent for you watch both parents working so you get an idea of their drive.

Don't ever assume that dogs used for breeding are necessarily suitable for breeding, regardless of how much they are loved and cared for.

Brilliant, thanks for the help. I had been asking one of the breeders questions and mentioned I wanted both parents health tested and they had asked if I was planning to breed, so maybe that it is why. Many seem to be from long working lines so presumably breeding throughout has been selective. We are not intending to breed, but could not knowingly get a pup that may end up suffering - or support any breeders that do not care for the wellbeing of the animals.

Thanks, we are not looking to work/compete primarily but plan on doing additional training to make sure she is kept mentally and physically stimulated.

If you are not planning on working a working cocker, then you would definately be advised to look closely at the drive of the parents, and maybe avoid a pedigree with too many FTCHs. Some working cockers are not the 'easiest' to live with even when they are worked regularly. Others are quite laid back.

With working cockers, I would also be wary of the COI.  The breed average is 14% (IIRC) but the ideal is 5% or lower. 

I agree that if you are not planning on working a working cocker, you should be careful.  You might want to try to find a litter which is working x show cocker (or combination thereof) as this should also lower the COI some.

For information re the method of inheritance -

Mendels Theory

Affected to Clear = All Carrier

Carrier to Carrier = 25% Clear, 50% Carrier and 25% Affected

Clear to Carrier = 50% Clear, 50% Carrier

So if the breeder KNOWS that neither is Carrier, proven, then it may just be ok to test one, for status.  For me, if buying in, I'd prefer to see BOTH parents tested for all that is available to be tested (KC/BVA Schemes).

Re working lines - some people up the road turned up with a new Labrador and proudly said she was from 'working lines'.   A worse set of hips, even on a gangly puppy, I'd not want to see!   However in working line breeders defence, if needed, they normally want their working dogs to be able to stay fit for purpose for as long as possible.   So wouldn't deliberately breed stock with known defects - would they?

Important to note Re: the comment above that not all conditions are autosomal recessive. So it doesn't work for everything.