Is Health Testing worth the extra cost?

[Jennifer Tramell]

I'm sure many people are already riled and have their opinion formed and ready to shoot, but hear me out.......

Over the past couple years, I have researched a few different health issues/diseases which affect dogs.  The first is hip dysplasia.  Webster is a big boy (88 lbs) and he has a more retriever frame.  I have always worried about him having hip dysplasia, even though upon educating myself he shows no signs.  I learned that hip dysplasia is caused by many different genes and dogs who have excellent hips can produce puppies with hip dysplasia while dogs with bad hips can produce pups with great hips.  It is not only genetic, it is also environmental, and it is often not discovered until a standard health warranty (1-2 years) is expired.  I know of someone who has a goldendoodle bought from a very reputable breeder at full market price, parents had all the health testing and hip certification, and the pup came down with hip dysplasia under 1 year old.

 

The next disease is seizures.  I am familiar with a couple dogs who have seizures and there is no health testing for parent dogs which will show epilepsy.  It appears as though this disease can be triggered by non-genetic factors and often is not displayed until the health warranty expires.

 

Thirdly are the auto-immune diseases.  We are dealing with this because of Charlotte so I've done a little research.  It is assumed that auto-immune diseases are inherited but, again, there really aren't tests to run on parent dogs.  Charlotte's auto-immune disease usually stays dormant until a dog is 3-5 years old and most health warranties expire prior to that period.  Even if there was a long warranty, there is no proof that this is inherited, it is only assumed.

 

I have not researched extensively but as of this time I am not convinced that the very high prices charged for puppies from health tested parents is warranted.  I've had Charlotte's hips tested (for my own peace of mind) and I looked into the other genetic testing.  We just added a 3rd doodle to our family and I decided that health testing of parents didn't give me much peace of mind - there are too many variables in play which affect the future health of my dogs.

 

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I just firmly believe that anyone who is breeding dogs who have not been tested for the genetic diseases for which there is testing available would also not be concerned with the overall health and temperament of their breeding dogs, either. It just doesn't make sense to me that someone who is a conscientious breeder and who is choosing structurally and temperamentally sound dogs for breeding would not spend the extra money to make sure that the dogs were not carrying for any of these diseases. 

So my answer to your question is "Yes, it is worth it". The diseases that can be tested for are still devastating diseases, and most of them are incurable, so you must deal with them for the life of the dog. (And so must the dog.) Is it worth it to pay $1000 to be assured that a dog would not have to live with Von Willebrand's or PRA or heart disease for 12-15 years? Absolutely. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree of course, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound if cure. Why not eliminate the most common cause of blindness etc.

[Adina P]

Worth is subjective. 

To me, yes, it is worth it.  It is worth it because you can't get the same thing for a 'low' cost and therefore I will either buy my future dogs from a breeder who 'does it all' or adopt from rescue and take that chance.   Everything has a price and many items we buy everyday are sold for very large margins.  I can't base my decision about whether the price on a dog is correct based on how much it costs the breeder.  If the breeder is a 'business' then they will want to make a profit.  I don't care if a breeder is breeding for business or hobby as long as they follow the highest standards in their breeding program.  If I can't afford a well bred puppy then I simply plan to do without or depending my financial status may adopt from a shelter.  A dog of a certain breed is a want, not a need.  And other breeds and mixes can fit the 'family dog'

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well said, Adina.