Why I Use Pupscan
For the last 15 years I have had a dream to breed pure bred Labrador Retrievers. However, I have always felt a moral & ethical responsibility to ensure that the main reason to decide to breed should always be to strive to improve the breed & produce healthy puppies that live a contented, long & healthy life.
Comprehensive health testing carries a substantial cost to any responsible breeder and the health and welfare of our girls and their puppies are of paramount importance to us, which is why we go to great lengths to carry out all recommended health tests on our girls.
With my passion for research into canine health, I became aware that it has now been scientifically concluded that Canine Hip and Elbow Dysplasia are Complex Polygenic Conditions of which BOTH environmental factors acquired after birth, and inherited genetic factors play a key role in the development of the hip and elbow joints. In fact I think its about 80% environmental and the 20% as a result of a genetic cause of which there is still no DNA test after 50 plus years.
The Kennel Club suggest that the most reliable method of determining the health of a dog's hips and elbows is by having the dog X-Rayed and having the images assessed by specialists to look for any abnormalities in a dog's hip or elbow joints. I absolutely wholeheartedly agree with this statement, however, they then go on to say that these images can be sent to the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme for grading and this is where my confidence in the accuracy of the recommended scheme diminishes based on the scientific evidence.
Unfortunately the current recommended scheme does not take into account environmental factors nor does it give you a diagnosis, you are merely supplied with a couple of numbers and I feel uncomfortable with this lack of clarity as to what the numbers actually mean. Those two numbers I am certain have unnecessarily ended the breeding careers of perfectly good dogs who have as a result of a score, been withdrawn from the breeding programme of distraught owners.
I heard of The PupScan Project by chance through a good friend, and after a lot of research into their work and the incredibly talented specialists behind the project, I decided that they were the perfect solution to my diminishing trust in the reliability of the current scheme by providing comprehensive reports and a diagnosis on images supplied.
Furthermore, the best and most notable aspect of our bespoke health testing package is our intention to use The Pupscan Project to scan puppies hips at approximately six weeks old. By using this diagnostic ultrasound technology, it will be possible for Orthopaedic Specialists to evaluate puppies in the early weeks of life to confirm normal healthy hip joint development before they leave for their new homes.
I can honestly say that I have never looked back from the minute that I made contact with Gordon, Pam & Sue. Their relentless dedication, energy and passion to improve the current crude, outdated health test for the benefit of all dogs shone through.
Their support, advice, guidance and kindness as a relatively new breeder in a minefield of Canine Health, has proved invaluable and I will always be indebted to them for this. The Pupscan Project will ALWAYS play a fundamental role in deciding whether to include or exclude a dog from our breeding programme.
Vicky Rutherford
Breeder of Nook-on-Lyne Labrador’s