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Newfoundlands => Newfoundland Discussions => : jesday November 07, 2008, 11:05:54 AM

: Should I bother -Update
: jesday November 07, 2008, 11:05:54 AM
So, to refresh, I wondered if I should bother contacting the breeder.
I'll try to synopsize. Sophie-Syrus, Christmas surprise. I questioned breeder on inherent health issues and about sire/dam. She said both were heart certified, sire had been OFA'd and bitch came from parents who were both OFA'd.

Found out yesterday Syrus has elbow dysplasia  which has strong heredity factors. And I'm now concerned about Sophie as she is acting very stiff in front legs.


Yes, both dogs turned out to have elbow dysplasia and Sophie needs to have TPLO surgery for torn ACL due to mis-aligned knee bones putting extra strain on ACL resulting in the tear. All vets concerned say most likely hereditary.

I did contact the breeder after much consternation on how to word it without having her dismiss me completely.

She called me today and I am convinced she was sincere in her reaction to the news. She was horrified and was going to contact all owners from this and previous litter from this pair. She wanted to know everything going on with my dogs so she could tell other owners what to watch for.

And then she started crying because this pair just had a litter of 8 pups a month ago. She only breeds her girls 3 times. So this was last time for this girl anyway. But now she is very worried about these pups. She feels very sure of sire's bloodline as she has many generations of records, but not so much on the dam.

The breeder was either truly upset or I am a big sucker because when she started crying the whole conversation turned around to me trying to comfort her.

So, the answer to my own question is "yes". Breeder was extremely grateful I had contacted her and was going to take every measure to make sure this doesn't happen again. She also offered us two free Newfie pups anytime for life.

I think these two will keep us busy for awhile. ;) 
: Re: Should I bother -Update
: People Whisperer November 07, 2008, 11:58:21 AM
That's sounds weird to me  :-\ She started crying?
Did you ask her about parents OFA records? If she already bred dam three times, did she have any issues from the first litter? Crying itself doesn't help to solve the issue  :(
: Re: Should I bother -Update
: patrick November 08, 2008, 05:46:02 AM
Sounds like you did the right thing.  Unfortunately orthopedic problems are rampant in Newfies and like in this case many times genetic problems do not show up until there is more than one litter on the ground.  Having OFA certification on parents/ grandparents etc does not necessarily guarantee that problems won't show up - it only lessens the risk.  One day they will have genetic markers but for hip and elbow dysplasia that is a long way off as it is multiple genes that contribute not just one.  Sorry for your pups problems and two together is quite a blow!