[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

Luxating patellas are a poly genetic problem with some environmental factors as well. It's a major issues in toy breeds, but I don't think it will ever be completely eradicated even if only breeding dogs with normal patellas. There are different grades of luxating patellas. Grade 3-4 are usually severe enough to require surgery, sometimes grade 2. Grade 1 usually does not have much affect on the dog's quality of life and will not require surgery unless it worsens.

I test all of my dogs' patellas and send results in to OFA. I wish more breeders would test and publicize results but attitudes such as what I've read above keep many breeders from doing this. I wasn't going to comment on this thread, but I think you all need to realize that patellas are not a all or none, black and white issue. I will say that most breeders I know strive for all normal patellas but don't usually have an issue breeding a dog with a grade 1. Grade 2 and above are usually not good candidates for breeding. I think it's also important to see what your dog produces. Parents can be normal but produce puppies with patellas bad enough to require surgery, and those parents would then need to be eliminated from a breeding program. Good luck finding a breeder who is being HONEST and has only bred dogs with all normal patellas...if someone tells you this then they either just started breeding, don't test, or aren't being honest.

My puppy contract covers luxating patellas that require surgery....I hope all of my puppies have good patellas but I know the fact is that even if I only breed normal parents, I could still get puppies that have loose patellas....there is just no guarantee. Breeders are not God. I always say that you just have to test for what you can and do your best to breed and produce healthy dogs, and if a problem arises, then do the right thing and try to stop it. That's what a reputable breeder is to me. I would be devastated to produce a puppy with a health issue, and I do all I can to produce healthy dogs, And think I have a contract that protects me and the buyer and is fair.

My advice when looking for a breeder is ask about health testing they do. I admire breeders who test and are honest about any health issues they have, as long as they can also tell you what they did or are doing to eliminate those issues. Make sure they have a fair contract and health guarantee. Find a breeder you trust and are comfortable with.

Maybe the problem is that no breeder takes the time to explain things like that to others? Without given the right information that you can not just google and find or read a book and find and no one tries to educate people about it then how are they supposed to know? It's assumed there just jerky nasty posters when in fact they/we/me are not educated in that. I would love to hear some of the other breeders of yorkies on the subject but I'm guessing this is some guarded thing? There is certain things you can not learn no matter how many books or websites you read. I don't mind learning. I have talked with a few reputable breeders about breeding a female every heat and that it's not necessarily a bad thing and there are facts to back it up. I was thrilled a breeder took the time to explain it to me because a lot of well respected breeders don't they just say nope your wrong throw a few confusing facts in and move on. I also think it's better to hear it from a breeder who works with actual yorkies not just a general breeder or one who has never bred yorkies because it's easier to believe someone who knows first hand about it. Yorkies are say far different from like a lab or a Great Dane.