It is my goal that every puppy I breed will grow into a healthy, happy, safe family pet. I have been breeding carefully selected crossbred dogs since 1992 and am committed to crossbreeding to take advantage of complementarity between breeds, to maximise vigour and to minimise the risk of genetic disease. Unfortunately it is impossible, when dealing with living animals, to be certain that no problems will ever occur.
I have carried out three major health surveys: one mail out in 1999, another online survey which ran between 2011 and 2013 and a third combining a mail out and online in June 2016. The first two surveys looked at many aspect of my dogs including size, coat type, behaviour and owner satisfaction and a full disclosure of the results can be seen here: Survey results. The final survey looked at longevity and health and found that in 91 dogs we have a median life expectancy of 14 years. This is a small survey but is a very good result; in a large UK study the median age for all crossbred dogs was 13.2 years and the median age for all purebred dogs was 12 years.
You will see however that although our dogs are in general healthy they are not perfect, and health problems have occurred. When we have identified problems we have taken steps to prevent them from occurring again.
To minimise the risk to you, our breeding dogs have been screened for known single gene disorders detectable using the Orivet Laboratory’s mixed breed screen. They have also been eye tested by a specialist and found to be clear of any abnormalities. Our breeding Golden Retriever females, their female crosses and our male Poodles are screened for Hip Dysplasia by hip score at 12 months of age and passed suitable for breeding. We do not hip score the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel males or Poodle females as hip dysplasia is not regarded as a significant risk in these breeds.
Our puppies are health checked at 4 and 6 weeks of age. Correctable problems such as minor tooth misalignment, retained testicles or inverted vulva are corrected when the puppies are desexed at 6 weeks of age.
There are some health problems which are under the control of multiple genes and cannot be screened in a DNA panel. I refer you to the internationally recognised listing of congenital and genetic defects known to occur in the various dog breeds in Australia (http://sydney.edu.au/vetscience/lida/), and encourage you to do your own research and make your own assessment of any possible risks
If your dog develops a preventable genetic or congenital health problem in the first 2 years of the its life I will pay any excess you incur for verified veterinary expenses up to the purchase price of the dog. I will, alternatively, replace the dog, or take back the dog and offer a full refund.
I will provide advice on behaviour management prior to you collecting your dog and am always ready to discuss health or behavioural problems, however minor they may be, that may arise with your dog at any time in its life and will do what we can to help and advise you.
I believe that, as a breeder I have a lifetime responsibility for the welfare of the animals I breed and undertake this responsibility with the following commitments:
- I will supply you with complimentary health insurance policy for a six-week period starting at handover. The insurance company will invite owners to continue the policy at the six-week mark and we strongly encourage you to consider this, or a Pet Insurance company of your choice
- If you change your mind about owning this puppy, for any reason, at any time in the first 6 months of the puppy’s life, I will refund half the purchase price of the puppy and will take the pup back and find a new home for it.
- If at any time throughout your dog’s life you can no longer look after your dog I will give it a home here and find a new permanent home at no charge to you except where freight costs are incurred. Alternatively I will help you to find a suitable home for your dog through advertising on my web site or newsletter.