[GalomyOak]

Only my perspective...

I think most people consider it ethical breeding practice to see how a dog will develop in temperament and health before breeding it - 11 months on the male obviously won't hurt him - but, it's hard to see what he is really like at that age, since personalities (as well as structure) develop so much during adolescence. I don't think people responding to this thread pin the UK as the only culprit, we are all 100% aware this happens in other places - but since the topic was started, I believe it opened it up to discussion and critique. As a new breeder myself, I am certainly open to that with my own litters - and hope other new breeders are as well. I think it would be great if everyone took the time, effort, and yes, money to breed as responsibly as possible. While Lee (or other breeders in the same situation) will have the aftermath to deal with if there are bad results on the male, it is the puppies who will have to suffer the potential effects of breeding with 2 dysplastic dogs. I certainly hope it's not the case, and the puppies (and Gus) turn out happy, brilliant, and healthy...

I think Kaya is a perfectly acceptable age to breed (I don't think there was ever any question about that), and commend Lee for having her hips tested and allowing them to be public, if those are indeed her results on the OFA page. With C hips, it becomes so very important to be certain you are breeding to a healthy dog from a healthy line - I think people really worry for the pups since Argo (father of Gus), though healthy himself, has produced some puppies with HD. If not breeding to improve the breed, with only the best probabilities for a stable, correct and healthy litter being matched together, then why breed? If I were Lee, I would probably wait until 18 months (or maybe 24) before I tested Gus; since there is nothing to be done at this point, and the results are much more reliable at an older age.

I know you and Rona definitely do not see eye to eye...but I think in previous posts she has been very supportive of Tikaani in his ventures, as I recall, even if she was not in agreement with other practices in the UK. I really think it was probably a shock and disbelief to her to see the details of the breeding.

Whatever the outcome, there are nine new pups in the world, and again, I hope only the best for them.