Penn hip can be done at 4-6 months and is very accurate for hips. They are costly (350.00 and can only be done by accredited vet hosp) but will give you true predictions of the future hip soundness of a dog. Then you would do the knees and elbows with OFA.
LFT is Liver function Tests...done before BAT (bile acid tests) to get a whole picture.
As far as CERFs go I get that one. Pass for 3 years then not on the 4th. Then the responsible thing to do is neuter and cull out any of the breeders or show prospects you have held back, and start making calls.
Some will say the BATs and LFTs mean nothing. Not true if your champion male who just finished is tested and does not pass. If you spent the 100 bucks before showing him, you would have saved a whole lot of entrance fees, handling fees, and so on. I could argue that OFA means nothing too. How about Leggs-perthes pups being born from an OFA'd excellent male and female? Happens but the minimums should be set.
But at the least we should make sure that show prospects are passing these test and have proof prior to stepping one paw in the show ring. They are to be the best representatives of our wonderful breed, so let them prove it. And breeders alike same thing, you should be doing at least the testing to prove your stock is healthy. I ask the YTCA(my mother club) as an owner yorkies to please make this MANDATORY of all members. |