How to tell when a breeder is lying or is of poor quality

[Ayoka]

One thing to add about OFA certification. Just because a dog has been OFA tested doesnt mean that the test results were good.

Case in point:
I was looking at the website of a breeder in the area who will has a litter in the summer. Sire's OFA# is listed and uon further investigation on the OFA database, there is no clearance number as the rating is "DEGENERATIVE JOINT DISEASE I UNILATERAL RIGHT"

If I did not check the OFA database I would not have known any better....so I think it's wise to doublecheck that the sire and dam are, in fact registered and to verify their ratings as well as those of the dogs they have produced.

[rottcrazed]

People are getting better now about disclosing ALL results of the tests done, but there are some who are still not willing to list things like elbow results that do not clear.

Hopefully soon, everyone will be and there will be no hiding anything ....

Kristi

[BostonRott]

Originally Posted by Ayoka

One thing to add about OFA certification. Just because a dog has been OFA tested doesnt mean that the test results were good.

Case in point:
I was looking at the website of a breeder in the area who will has a litter in the summer. Sire's OFA# is listed and uon further investigation on the OFA database, there is no clearance number as the rating is "DEGENERATIVE JOINT DISEASE I UNILATERAL RIGHT"

If I did not check the OFA database I would not have known any better....so I think it's wise to doublecheck that the sire and dam are, in fact registered and to verify their ratings as well as those of the dogs they have produced.

I think you've misunderstood the results.

If a dog has a number, IT PASSED. Period. Numbers are not issued for failing. If a dog fails, AND the results have been released by the owner, then they are published with the diagnosis.

The condition you list above applies to elbows, not hips. It sounds like the dog passed his hips, and has a single Grade I elbow (which most people really don't worry that much about). 40% of Rottweilers have some form of ED (per the OFA database).

[Ayoka]

Perhaps I have misunderstood but the number on the breeders website did not come up in the OFA database instead the database had the dog listed clear for everything else but without a number for elbows as one elbow listed as having as degenerative joint disease.

So is ED not something to be concerned with in breeding dogs? If so I'll ask to have my posting removed from the sticky. Wouldn't want to pass my ignorance on!

[BostonRott]

If the number on the breeder's website is not coming up on the OFA database, that is a HUGE red flag, you're very right.

I thought you saw both a number and the DJD I, my apologies.

I did NOT say that ED is "not to be worried about." Please do not put words into my mouth! I said that many people are not worried about a unilateral DJD1.

ED is a very complicated subject. There are many dogs who are graded as DJD I (which shows NO structural problems, but instead, only very minor wear on the joint) who never ever show symptoms. ED is not like HD. If you have HD, you have structural problems, poor fit of the joint and usually symptoms. ED is not the same.

One must look at whether it is unilateral or bilateral, what grade it is, and if it is just DJD or if there is an actual structural problem like FCP or UAP.

In my opinion, to rule out 40% of the breeding population is to bottleneck your genetics. And I'm not alone in this, just look at the number of breedings that are done with DJD1 or ED+ dogs.

[GypsysMom]

I think a good breeder will be concerned on the pup its enviorment etc. Where as a breeder thats not so concerned will not be and no questions asked. Also bad breeders breed for $$ and not to benefit the breed The breeder I got my pup from was good not to over priced (like some I have seen) and good quality dogs he breeds 1 time a yr and has xrays and certifaction on his dogs... ALso when breeders have excuses why you cant see the parents! I think that is a signal as well.

No Im not a professional and this is my first rotty but I looked at several and read up on breeders. Like one breeder said she drove 12 hours to look at pups years ago and left with no puppy since they were not within the "breed standard" ANd then some So called "breeders" have major attitude when you dont purchase one of their puppies

Just my 2cents

Kim