ARVC & DM tests

[fairview Boxers]

This may have been discussed, and if so I appologise for repeating... BUT, something struck me on another subject and I gotta ask...

How many of you would base your purchase of a well bred puppy off of them being tested with the ARVC dna and the DM dna tests?  If so, are you looking for a negative, or do you just want to know?

[aquagirl900]

At this point (not that I'm going to be buying a pup any time soon (5 years min.)) but based on all the conflicting info...I wouldn't rule out a breeder based on not having those tests...

[Rubidawg]

It wouldn't stop me. I also believe there is some more research that needs to be done to be certain. To me, I prefer to research the pedigree as much as I can, and see what's behind the lines rather than trusting these tests at this point. I think it's a good indicator, and if one came up with the genes for these diseases, I would probably want to research the pedigree even more.

[RocketBoxer]

Personally I would want the tests done - or at the very least having the parents tested so you can get a feel for how the puppies would test out. ARVC is probably the more questionable test right now - but I can't fathom why anyone would not be doing DM testing prior to breeding.

I think at this point in time I would just want to know and possibly not be looking for a specific result, although it would probably depend on the scenario.

I see it much the same as wanting to see holter/OFA heart/hips/thyroid done on the parents. IMO these gene test are now part of the package  and I would just want them all done. That doesn't necessarily mean that I am looking for perfect results across the board.

[fairview Boxers]

I honestly can't say that I expect a breeder to test each of their puppies with these DNA tests. 
I am still pretty skeptical (as are many, but I am not trying to start that debate)about the ARVC test, just because some dogs that I know what is behind them have tested negative, and others tested positive..  I just can't say that I believe in it enought to test an entire litter for it! 
Penny isn't ARVC tested, I left Denise to make that decision.. because I don't trust the results. I can't tell her that I believe in it enough, Penny will be re-holtered probably in February, and that will be her 3rd holter... maybe it is wrong, but they hold more water for me as a breeder!
The DM test is fairly easy, to me.... and it does hold a little more water with me, JMO....
For instance, Gio and Penny's litter will all be carriers, Gio is clear and Penny is at risk. So, there isn't a need to test this IMO, if we have a potential show puppy, I will test it... but I don't feel that I should test the whole litter!  We know what their results are!
I just don't know how I feel about expectations of breeders testing an entire litter of puppies with both of these tests, when we aren't sure what they both really mean yet.  I guess I feel that as a dog owner that is my responsibility not the breeder I am purchasing from.  I didn't ask them to holter, echo, or hip test my puppy when I bought it... how can I ask them to do DNA tests that may or may not REALLY tell us their status?

[Bruins_Boxer]

Well , I would like to see a puppy tested for DM . At least the parents tested so you can get an idea of what the puppies might be . I know at risk is not a guarantee they will get DM but it would have a big impact on any plans for breeding .

If all the dogs in my ped are at risk - I would want to look towards finding a clear .

ARVC , it too would be nice to see the parents tested .I have tested Edy and will test any others I have . But like many others I am not sure this test can give us any more or better info than holtering can , at least at this point .But it is just another piece of the whole picture .

[Bugsys Mom]

I think I would just want the parents tested.  Based on the results of the parents, I could decide later if I wanted to test my puppy.  There are so many variables with these diseases and so much more research needs to be done. 

[RocketBoxer]

BTW - I would not test puppies if you could determine the results based on the parents. Like your scenario - where you know all of the puppies are carriers - I see no reason to test.

But like I am considering a carrier to carrier breeding and in that case I will definately test the puppies. I see it as my responsibility since I am the breeder. Obviously these are tests that can be done on young puppies unlike the other stuff, and I see them being able to help me with my decision as to who I keep or place where. 
DM is something I am trying to move away from. That is not to say I wouldn't keep an at risk puppy - but it would have to be a really special puppy. So I would want to take the results into account when I am trying to make my decision.

[fairview Boxers]

Keri I can totally understand that... that makes total sense to me... With Penny that was a deciding factor in choosing a stud dog (and at the time, there really weren't many clear DM stud dogs), we wanted a clear dm test. 
In my searching for Aggie's boyfriend, I will be looking for ARVC results over DM results because she is DM clear.... not that I put a whole lot to the ARVC test, but it can't help to have a male that is confofmationally what I need and ARVC neg or even hetero..... 

I know in my comfort zone, when I got Aggie's DM results I was much more worried about that than the ARVC result... and I am not uncomfortable that Penny isn't tested for ARVC... but I can also say, that her progeny (if any) go on for showing and breeding will be tested.....  my program transitions as it goes....