Hi All, my golden Retriever bitch is coming up for 1 years old. My good friend has referred me to contact Marilyn (vetenairy name has gone from my mind?!?) but she is based in Hampshire/Fareham and she carries out the tests. Are any of you having your dogs/bitches currently tested. This is my first dog so I’m curious to hear other people’s experncies? If you’ve ever had bad scoring have you noticed any problems with your dog/bitch in years to come?

Are you planning to breed?  Has she had an eye test yet?

I personally have the eyes tested first and then travel down to Marilyn.  She is very good and will tell you what she thinks the score will be approx.

Sadly there will always be dogs that throw higher scores than you would expect from their breeding.  My first dog had an horrendous hip score but was never lame in her life and I know others who say the same.

Agree that if you are doing this with the intention of breeding, you are better to do her eyes and DNA tests first (hips and elbows are more expensive and you may not want to proceed if you have undesired findings from the eye/DNA results).

Much as I can understand the thoughts behind not having hip and elbow scoring done if eyes are no good its a shame more don't as we get a very unrepresentative view of breed averages if poor hips are not scored. A truer picture of breed health is gained by scoring as many as possible and not just the good ones.

Hi there, yes we are hoping to breed from her when she is at the right age. I had no idea you had to have their eyes tested first.

> I had no idea you had to have their eyes tested first.

you can do the health testing in any order you like, but it makes sense to do the cheapest tests first, because if the result means she is not a breeding prospect due to result then you have not wasted as much money. The clinicasl Eye test is the cheapest, then some fo the DNS tests are next.  Hips and elbows are going to cost you a minimum of £300.

To those who raised a point about reflection of health in a breed; Yes it is nice to have as many dogs health tested as possible, nut as it is very expensive people in reality are only going to test breeding prospects, or those dogs where testing will have an effect on treatment or management, or for example dogs who are going to undertake strenuous sports or work.

In my own bred with very low numbers bred the health tested dogs are in fact a very true representation of the breeds health as at least 20 - 25% of the population are health tested for hips and eyes and known genetic issues by DNA.

Dependiing on where you live, there is another excellent hip and elbow vets who also x-ray with minimal anaesthetic who are also cheaper then going south, everyone up north go there. She also give you an idea of what score you will get, and it a really nice place with very very friendly staff.