The British Veterinary Association and the Kennel club work in partnership and run a scheme aimed at reducing genetically transmitted Hip and Elbow dysplasia in dogs.
The schemes enable breeders to screen for inherited diseases so they can make informed decisions as to whether those dogs should be included in breeding programmes.
Wangford Veterinary Clinic has a fast and accurate digital X-ray machine to take the X- rays required for participation in the scheme. If you would like to know more or would like to book for hip and/or elbow scoring please contact the practice on 01502 578999
If you are intending on breeding from your dogs you will want to make every effort to ensure that the puppies that you breed have sound temperaments, are healthy, and are good and "typical" examples of the breed. The Kennel Club have a list of recommended health tests that is available to download. Go to http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/313.
The time from taking the X-rays to getting the certificate can from 6 to 8 weeks so it is important to get X-rays done and results back before you intend to mate your dog.
The lower the scores the better and so breeders wishing to reduce the risk of disease should select their breeding stock (both dogs and bitches) only from animals with scores well below the breed mean score.
The kennel club also offer details on some of the more specific DNA screening and all recommended health tests that are now available for many of the genetically inherited disease, plus lots more breed standards, the Assured Breeders Scheme and breeder clubs etc.