The Open Health Registry for Goldens
USE IT!

Breeding and buying dogs is a decision based on many factors. Each breeder will have varying criteria depending on their goals for the future pups as far as the venues they will pursue, be it conformation, field, obedience, agility, or other activities. But the one thing we all have in common is wanting to produce dogs that live long happy and healthy lives.

A few months ago, the Open Health Registry Icons were added back to the K9Data pedigree links as well as some other additions to K9Data. Any dog with a red OHR by their name has been entered in the Open Health Registry. Clicking on the OHR icon will allow you to read the information entered on that dog. This information can be helpful for breeders and owners as they attempt to make decisions on the future lines they wish to incorporate.

You do need to sign in to the OHR, but there are different levels for this. One allows you to read the information and a deeper sign in allows you to input information on dogs. Information added should only come from breeders, owners, or past owners. Here is the link: http://www.healthygoldens.com/login.asp

I have found that putting data on the OHR as soon as I can helps with accuracy. Details are best recorded while fresh on your mind. I also like that any information about my dogs can be read in my words on the website by anyone interested. Quite honestly, I have gone back and reviewed my own entries as the details have become foggy over the years!

No, my dogs aren’t perfect in health in all respects, but no dogs are. The good and the bad should be included. Is there a possibility that incomplete or inaccurate information will be shared by owners or breeders? Of course! As I said, there are no perfect dogs but if you are only seeing glowing reports on dogs yet know of issues not reported, even that information can be of use. Might the owner or breeder not be as willing to be forthcoming as one would hope? This, too, can be an important part of researching lines.

I realize we all approach the disclosure issues from our own unique perspective. For me, full disclosure is the best policy. If the issues I’ve had in my lines cause someone to look elsewhere, then at least no one can say that I hid things from them. Better the devils you know than the devils you don’t know! As a result, I’ve had a lot of people quite pleased to see information on all my dogs. And interestingly, some of the people who went to another line thinking the line was very “clean” on health issues actually told me years later that sadly, it was not really the case at all. The sooner one realizes that there are issues in all lines (obviously some lines more so than others on varying issues), the sooner we can buckle down to try to prevent doubling up on issues where weaknesses may already exist.

I include a letter in my puppy packets (and email it to the owners before they get their pups) telling about the Open Health Registry and that all Shilo Goldens will be entered. Pups are all put on K9Data once they have a name (it is how I confirm the exact spelling of the name with the new owner before registering the pups), and then when data is available, they are added to the OHR. Currently, my last litter is 6 months old and owners are all being asked about teeth. Are they all there? This will be the first entry I add for this litter. I send an annual Christmas newsletter to puppy owners as well and remind them to let me know about any and all issues.

I also have a statement on my website under LITTER LISTINGS where the pictures, information, and pedigrees are shown that reads:

“Please take the time to view the pedigrees. Many of the dogs (and mine for certain) have links by their names with a red OHR. If you log into the website when you click on that link, you can view health information on those dogs. I encourage you to do so before buying a puppy so you can be as informed as possible! I am a firm believer in sharing health information so we can all work together to breed healthier Goldens!”

My wish is that more people will use the OHR so information about their dogs will be recorded by the owners and/or breeders. I feel this will help also to clear up some reports on issues that may have been somewhat changed via the word-of-mouth method of sharing. I also hope that in time, there will be search engines added to K9Data. I know it is time consuming, but don’t you think our breed is worth it?

The future of our wonderful breed is in the hands of the breeders and owners. Health and temperament are the foundation of any line, and striving to improve or preserve these aspects should be of utmost important to us all. Knowing where combinations of lines may not have worked out as hoped may help someone else not make the same mistake. Hiding information about a dog because you want to “protect their get” is NOT going to help this breed.

No one wants to have a health problem, temperament issue, or early death in their dogs. Yet despite our best intentions and the best laid plans, issues do arise sometimes. But it is NOT YOUR FAULT it happened, either. It is your fault if you try to conceal or gloss over the problem though. Selfishly concealing an issue in a much-loved dog is loving THAT dog more than the breed itself. Your opinion may vary, but as I see it, when you sell a puppy or offer your dog at stud, you should also vow to let the person who paid you know about any health issues behind those dogs.

Disclosure just may help others too. If you have lines similar to ones where there are, say, several that didn’t clear hips, then choosing future breedings to improve on orthopedics can be helpful. If we don’t know about the problems, how can we fix them?

So let’s all work together for the betterment of these wonderful Goldens we all love and cherish. Enter your dogs in the OHR and encourage others to do so as well. Believe me when I tell you that puppy buyers are interested and they really do want to see that health is important to you!