OESCA Code of Ethics
If a breeder, associated with OESCA, doesn't have that done is it considered unethical and what would your thoughts be on buying a dog from that breeder? Thanks! |
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| Are they on the reputable breeders referral list or just a member? Either way, I wouldn't buy a dog from a breeder how hasn't had the parents' health certified. |
| Very important, anyone that does not have the sire and dam hip scored and evaluated prior to breeding is someone to avoid. Plus that information should be forthcoming on the parents when purchasing a puppy.
It is a world wide practise by any ethical breeder to be done before producing pups. To answer your question, YES it is unethical IMO.  |
guest wrote: Can anyone tell me if a breeder is required to have the stud dog and bitches hips checked prior to breeding?
If a breeder, associated with OESCA, doesn't have that done is it considered unethical and what would your thoughts be on buying a dog from that breeder? Thanks! For general interest, the OESCA code of ethics reads as follows: http://www.oldenglishsheepdogclubofamer ... 202000.htm It reads as a guideline for ethical breeding practices. If I was looking for a puppy and wanted to evaluate a breeder, I would read it and compile a list of questions based upon the contents to give me a basis upon which to evaluate breeders (good breeders screen their potential puppy buyers; smart puppy buyers should do the same of breeders). If a breeder, any breeder, didn't at a bare minimum screen for hips, that would be the end of any conversation with that breeder - period. If you have the parents' registered names, you can check on what health screening has been done and submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals (OFA) at www.offa.org (just use the search function on the home page). Sometimes breeders will screen for eyes (CERF exam), thyroid (full panel; not just the T4), hearing (BAER), hearts (a board certified cardiologist's evaluation) and - even though I don't happen to agree personally - hips (some may use Penn Hip, instead of OFA for hips - I don't know that we have a good enough baseline number of OES in the Penn Hip database to make that a good option yet, though I'm told the method is very reliable) without reporting the results to OFA. If they can document that the eyes, thyroid, hearing and cardiology screening has been done by appropriate specialists, I can live with that (the paperwork is very specific). Merely having hips (and elbows) x-rayed and getting a regular vet's opinion on them is something I have less faith in, perhaps more so if the opinion came from an orthopedic specialist (but then why not submit them for an OFA or Penn Hip evaluation?) These things are becoming more formalized and our breed has been added to the Canine Health Information Registry (CHIC) which also outlines what health testing should be considered important for our breed and links the results (dogs in this registery have had a minimum of hips, eyes and thyroid results submitted to OFA). See http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/brdreqs.html?breed=SD . Kristine |
| Every dog and bitch used for breeding must have had specific tests done, hips and eyes are the minimum, I would not buy from any breeder who has not done that |
| Thank you to each of you who took the time to respond.
Yes, this breeder is listed on OESCA's breed page but can't anyone who is associated with OESCA be on that page? In researching this kennel, I am finding it more and more common that dogs/bitches are bred before the checks are done or they may NOT be done at all. I have attempted to locate the specific parents to these pups on the OFFA web-site but do not find them. They do utilize that site as they do have dogs on there that have been certified. Why does OESCA have these ethics and guidelines if people don't follow them and there is no repercussions for NOT following them? It seems as though there is nothing to require them to act ethically -- maybe I'm wrong? I'm a pretty savy purchaser and do my research -- what about the other people who purchase a dog with the expectation that this is a reputable breeder because they have attached OESCA to their name? Seems foolish and irresponsible that OESCA can't do anything about it. I will definitely continue my research and NOT buy from this breeder from the Pacific Northwest. |
| You have to be qualified to be on the OESCA page and you have to have signed the code of ethics, which in my opinion needs to be revised it is not firm enough. Sometimes males are being used when they are not 2 years old yet and cannot have an official OFA number, but the opportunity exist to get a preliminary which is not listed on the OFA site. Eyes can be done at any time and should be done yearly. If you feel that there is something wrong with a breeder on the OESCA site , you can ask OESCA. |
| The code of ethics is suggested, but is loosely enforced. I do know that if complaints are made, especially if there are sick puppies involved, the OESCA does take it very seriously. The OFA has a great track record, but a lot depends on the doctor doing the tests and they can be fallible. Even if both parents have great hips there is still a chance that a dog can get hip dysplasia and vice versa. It is up to you as a puppy buyer to do your homework, ask the questions, etc. |
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