[kclinch]

I have a question(Flame suit is in tact, and on)....

Since they stamp hips and breed in Germany/Europe at 18 months, why is it such a huge issue to do the same here, IF, and ONLY IF, you have hip exrays(either sent off to Europe to be stamped, or OFA Pre-lims, or Evaluated by a School of Vet Medicine), and you have some titles on your dog?

For instance, my bitch and my male both have OFA Prelims, my bitch has had her eyes checked(both are going in for CERF eye checks next week), both have been Thyroid tested(negative), and both are conformation correct, as judged in a ring by a judge.

My bitch will never get her AKC championship. She is conformation correct, but not as "bulky" as the bitches in the AKC ring, however, she has her SG1(IABCA), has a Tres Bon(very good) from FCI Judges(I had her judged at the Beauceron Specialty in Missouri this past year), and I plan to show her UKC. She has been in the AKC Show ring, but has always gotten 2nd(never had a ribbon withheld---they can do that and I have seen it happen), however, again, she will not make it against some of the dogs here.

My male will likely never make it in AKC as he has a tail. He, too, has his OFA pre-lim, and is a working assistance dog(As is my bitch, who is a world traveler.) He will be shown in UKC, IABCA and has already been shown at an ADRK Specialty and has received his VP2 Rating.

I personally have no issue with breeding a dog that is 18 months, again, PROVIDING that health checks are in place.

The country of origin feels that it is ok to breed 18 month old dogs, so why do we, here in the US, seem so horrified at that.

Flame retardant suit, fully intact and ready....