Hips, Elbows, Eye Certification

[Johnnie15]

I know this has been discussed before, but I can't seem to find the post. Does anyone know of a Vet other than the U of M that is able to do OFA certification?

Also, if I could get a ballpark of the certification cost I would appreciate it. I would really like a pup out of my female, but I want to do it right. If it is not cost effective I may have to look into buying a pup elsewhere.

[MTP]

OFA certification can be done at Gehrman Animal Hospital in Minnetonka. Cost is around $325. CERF eye certification can be done at Veterinary Opthalmic Specialists in St. Louis Park. Cost is $26.

[cw642]

This may sound bad, and my guess is it will. If you are worried about the cost of OFA or any of the cost of having a litter PLEASE DONT. If you need to break it down to dollars and cents then breeding is not for you. Figure out the cost of having the litter. Two or three visits prior to breeding, not including an OFA exam. Two+ visits for the puppies for shots, dews and other ailments. Then if your female has a problem you might want to figure in another grand or so. Then add in the food and bedding the pups go through. Then just to be fair a guy should figure in his time. Let's say you pay yourself $1 an hour. With the time you should be spending with the puppies and the mother, you could easily pay for a puppy of the best breeding. Plus if you are OFA and eye and elbow will you guarantee the pups for two or so years? What would you do if an owner came to you and claims bad hips. If after taking all these things into consideration you might want to look at a daily paper, and see what the availability of your breed is. Not saying you should buy one out of the paper, but just to see how many litters are availiable on any givin day.

Let me just say, I am not against breeding's such as you are thinking of doing. That is the way all breeders start. That is how I got started. I wanted a male pup out of two of my Pointers, both were outstanding hunters with better than average pedigrees. That was my worst litter ever. Now I'm set up for 8+ dogs, whelping, and have established a sizable waiting list. For my first breeding Money was no object. Over the years I have bought from the best dogs in the country, trianed, evaluated and only bred to improve on what I had. Truthfully a Pro breeder puts more time in a year thinking about what breeding is best for his dog than the average guy is awake. I just hate to hear "her/his mother was the best dog I ever had, but she/he is not near as good as she was."

CW

[setterguy]

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/ub...6423#Post526423

Its been awhile since this was posted, but seems appropriate.

Good luck whatever your decision.

[mamohr686]

I had mine done at the Alexandria Health clinic. I think the total cost was around $75. I had to pay the vet for the x-ray, and had to write a separate check to go with the films to the OFA that was only $20-40 or something like that. The clinic sent in the films and I got a certificate about 6 weeks later.

[Johnnie15]

Thanks for the info everyone! I found setterguy's old post especially enlightening.

The main thing is I only want 1 pup and if it ends up costing me $2K or more it would be hard to justify breeding instead of buying one from a top notch breeder again. I'm definately not looking to make money.

There is a lot of time and expense involved with raising a healthy litter that will better the breed so I want to be as informed as possible before I make a decision.