Читать книгу Goldendoodles - Edie Mackenzie - Страница 14

If a breeder is a member of a regulatory organization, it means he/she agreed to a code of ethics. However, few organizations can actually follow through to investigate whether the breeder is adhering to the code of ethics, and are limited to feedback and complaints. The quality of the regulatory body is important. Too many breeder listings simply require the breeder to pay specified advertising fees.

There are many small, ethical, and responsible breeders who are not members of any regulatory organizations. However, this leaves you without proof that the necessary genetic testing has not only been done, but that the parents passed all the testing as well.

An example of a quality regulatory organization is the Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA), www.GoldendoodleAssociation.com. GANA gives different levels of “ribbons” for member breeders who health test all their breeding dogs for specific diseases and genetic defects, with a blue ribbon indicating the breeder completed all recommended health testing. Breeders are required to register all administered tests and test results with GANA. If a GANA member has a parent dog that carries a genetic defect, GANA requires proof the dog chosen as the mate is tested and clear of the defective gene so no genetic linkup of the gene is passed onto the puppies. Additionally, all members are required to offer a minimum 2 year warranty for life-inhibiting genetic defects, and pledge to honor the GANA Breeder Code of Ethics.

If a breeder isn’t with an organization, he/she should still be testing for all Golden Retriever genetic diseases and defects (and that list is quite long) and all Poodle genetic diseases and defects. Just be cautious if test results are not registered with a neutral third party. Be aware there are unscrupulous breeders who use photo editing technology to change health scores and to create false “certificates” of health results. If you cannot look at the test results online, from either an independent testing organization such as OFA or a regulatory body such as GANA, walk away.