Metrowest, MA
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 23,688
Submit Photo: 6
Photo Submissions 299 Times in 297 Posts
First, remember that a CHIC number only means that the test results have been recorded. It does not mean that the results of the tests were good or not. You have to go and check. A dog could have a CHIC number with grade 3 patellas, hip displaysia, a heart murmur, cataracts, etc. It only means that the breeder recorded this information so that you can view it. It’s still up to you to check it.
Second, no, the fact that the frand parents have been health tested, IMO is not enough. Not when I am buying a dog. Your decision might be different.
Likewise, I don’t buy the “no local vet does BAER testing” line. OK, that’s true for many breeders. So then the club in the area arranges periodic club BAER clinics. Or the breeder schlepps all her puppies to the “nearest” university, even if its 2-3 hourse away. That’s what responsible breeders do. Just because her puppies can hear does NOT mean they don’t have unilateral deafness. Which is MUCH harder to tell without BAER testing, and runs in the breed. If your puppy can only hear in one ear when you get him, and something happens to his hearing in the other ear (that does sometimes happen) now you have a deaf dog.
And the breeder will tell you, “but he was fine when you bought him!”
Maybe. Maybe not.
Karen, Kodi, Pixel and Panda
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Last edited by krandall; 06-30-2019 at 09:20 PM.