Question for dog breeders who DNA health test

[Tinkdedoodle]

I have extended and expanded my healthy guarantee on my contract to include a lifetime guarantee on the genetic diseases my parent dogs have been cleared for by DNA testing. I feel it gives my buyers a sense of security, and since these issues have been ruled out by DNA testing, I feel secure in the fact that I am covered as well.

I haven't seen other breeders rushing to do this, so was wondering if you do... or if there's some downside that I'm missing?

[mtnman]

Originally Posted by Tinkdedoodle

I have extended and expanded my healthy guarantee on my contract to include a lifetime guarantee on the genetic diseases my parent dogs have been cleared for by DNA testing. I feel it gives my buyers a sense of security, and since these issues have been ruled out by DNA testing, I feel secure in the fact that I am covered as well.

I haven't seen other breeders rushing to do this, so was wondering if you do... or if there's some downside that I'm missing?

I have been offering a 3 replacement guarantee since 1970. DNA tests will not 100% rule out genetic defects.
In as most genetic defects will show up by the age of two years, and the fact that dogs cannot be OFA and CERF certified until two, is the reason for the extra year to allow certification. Now, even though OFA and CERF, along with other DNA testing can lessen the chance of mated pairs having offspring that develope genetic problems...it is never guaranteed. But what it does do is substantially lessen the probability of it. Dogs can develope other issues later in life, that are not genetic in nature, and even some that would seem to be genetic can be caused by treatment, food, other diseases, among others.
The understanding of genetics, the specific breed you breed, and the pedigrees, genetics and histories of the dogs in that pedigree is what the vast majority of breeders do not consider. If you are breedign for anything but for what is best for the breed, you are doing it, and it's prodgeny a misservice, as well as new parents.

In all my years (40+) if breeding (I like to think of myself as a caretaker) I have never had a puppy or dof come back do to helath problems...a few that came back due to the fact they could not keep them anylonger, but that is it. I also mandate in my contracts, that if a owner cannot for any reason during the dogs life keep them any longer, they must be returned to me. Not sold, given away, or turned into the pound. I approved the owner for one of my pups...no one other I brought them into this world, and they will always have a place to stay. If I can find an approved home....then I may place them. This is concern for your dogs and pups, and show all how concerned you are about them. It gives comfort to new owners that you are there for them. But, it also separates those in it for the money and those who are in it for the love of the breed.
Glenn
Wild Spirit Alaskan Malamutes