1) All breed stock must be hip scored and eye tested before any mating takes place, unless special dispensation has been requested and granted, PRIOR to any mating taking place. In the event of special dispensation being granted for untested dogs, it must be agreed that all tests will subsequently be carried out as soon as possible thereafter. PLEASE NOTE: as of 16th November 2007, any dog registered with The Utonagan Association who is to be hip scored from this date onwards, MUST also be Elbow X Rayed at the same time as being hip scored. For the registered dogs who have been hip scored already, we require that they either be elbow scored before breeding, or that special dispensation be sought to breed prior to this test, with a full guarantee that the elbow score will be carried out as soon as possible after the litter is weaned. Only one mating will be allowed prior to this test being done and only in certain circumstances.
2). Eyes must be checked under the BVA scheme, by a suitably qualified canine ophthalmologist. A clearly readable copy of the results must be sent to Carol Marley for inclusion in the health records, and eyes should be passed as CLEAR of any eye defect or disease. Eye tests must be carried out annually for breed stock and in order to build up an accurate picture of incidence of eye disease within the breed as a whole, we encourage as many pet owners as possible to comply with eye testing also and to send clear copies of the results to Carol Marley for inclusion in the health records. All litters will be eye tested at age 6 - 8 weeks to ensure the optimum diagnosis of any possible eye disease
3) A clear copy of the hip score certificate and elbow score certificate must be sent to Carol Marley for inclusion in the health records. The minimum age for hip scoring to take place will be 15 months, to allow for the slow rate of bone development and maturation within the breed.
4) Minimum age for any dog to be bred will be 15 months, and 2 years for bitches, though any bitch over 18 months and considered mature for her age may be allowed to breed by mutual agreement of the owner and committee.
5) Every bitch must have at least 11-12 months between litters and a maximum of 4-5 litters in a lifetime.
6) A bitch must have her first litter before the age of 4 years, unless special dispensation has been granted to allow breeding shortly after her 4th birthday due to timing of seasons.
7) Maximum age for a bitch to be bred is 8 years and the mating must occur prior to her 8th birthday, unless special dispensation has been granted for breeding shortly after her 8th birthday. This would only be granted in the event of a good and valid reason, with the health and well being of the bitch being of paramount concern.
8) All Association approved breed stock must have been DNA profiled and a copy of their profiles have been sent to Carol Marley to include in the health and database records, to ensure that no false parentage can be claimed by anyone in the future.
9) It is also recommended that dogs of certain lines be tested for Von Willebrand's Disease and Addison's Disease if they are to be used as breed stock.
10) We encourage ALL owners to participate in health screening wherever possible, regardless of whether their dogs are breed stock or companion dogs. We cannot create an accurate picture of incidence of disease/defects within the breed if only breed stock undergo testing. We do, not however, expect owners of older, vulnerable or at risk dogs to jeopardise their dog�s health by putting them under anaesthetic for tests with no valid cause or reason.
11) We must insist that ALL breeders employ the use of contracts of sale when selling pups and this contract MUST have a clause that owners will inform the breeder and/or the Association of any health related issue that may crop up within the lifetime of the dog. It is the responsibility of ALL breeders to ensure that we are made aware of all details of any such occurrence within their lines.
12) Breeders must not sell puppies to pet shops/commercial dog wholesalers/known puppy farmers/laboratories etc., or anywhere else that will/could have a detrimental effect on the pup or its future well-being.
13) Breeders must only breed from dogs with sound temperament, good health and conforming to the breed standard as near as possible, taking into account the compatibility of the pairing.
14) Breeders must agree to inform the Association of ALL health related issues that may arise at any time so that we can update the health records database. This is imperative if we are to gain an accurate indication of the general health of our breed as a whole.
15) All puppies are to be vet checked, microchipped, wormed, be provided with 6 weeks free insurance, have had first vaccinations, and be DNA profiled before leaving for their new homes. No puppies are to be allowed to go to new homes before 8 weeks of age.
