Hi Kathi,

Neither dog has been x-rayed.  Judah is only a year and x-rays
would not show much at this point unless he had a serious hip
problem.  We feel confident this is not the case just by watching
his movements and range of motion.  Ellie has no apparent problem
with movement and no history of hip problems in her background.

I am not entirely convinced that any benefits of OFA certification
would out weigh the potential harm of the x-rays themselves (radiation
directed at the dogs reproductive organs as well as the anesthesia).
In researching CHD, I've discovered that environmental factors (diet,
excercise etc...) play just as much if not more of a role in the
manifestation of the disease.   CHD does not always result in
degeneration of the joint.  How does the OFA explain why some dogs
with fair or even poor ratings never show clinical symptoms? There
are so many unknowns as far as the heritability and the genetics of
it.  My concern with OFA certification is that by using this as a bench
mark of sound dogs and culling those dogs that do not measure up
that we are losing genetic diversity and opening up the door to many
more problems and diseases within the different breeds.

There is alot of controversy over this subject and arguments can be
made for both sides.  My postition may be a bit unconventional but
I just don't see the iron clad evidence in favor of going the OFA  route.

I bet that more than answers your question but I guess I wanted to
back up my answer with a "why"   :-)

Amy

-----Original Message-----
From: Kathi Tesarz <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Sunday, July 09, 2000 11:17 PM
Subject: Re: intro and puppies


>What about hips?  Have you OFA'd, xrayed them?
>Kathi Tesarz
>A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle. -- Benjamin Franklin
>
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Farm Collie Breed Conservancy and Restoration
>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Amy Dorsch
>> Sent: Sunday, July 09, 2000 5:24 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: intro and puppies
>>
>>
>> Hi Everyone,
>>
>> I'm new to the list and was pleased to find alot of the people that used
>> to post on the farmdog list.  I've been reading through the archived
>> messages and was interested in the discussions on herding types and
>> variations within breeds.
>>
>> I have a border collie (Ellie) that I consider laid back.  She is content
>> to lay around and is calm and quiet in the house.  However if there is
>> work to do she is right there ready to help.  She is not so obsessed with
>> herding that she can't be left unwatched but she definately posseses
great
>> herding ability and works with typical border collie stance and style.
>>
>> My farm collie (Judah) is a son of Sandra Niedrauers farm collie/shepherd
>> Jacob (Jacob is a full brother to Caitlyn's Jake).  He is more laid back
>> than Ellie and possesses alot of the characteristics of the old
>> farm collie
>> (guardian behavior, the ability to think on his own when faced with loose
>> stock etc...)  He has more of a relaxed, calm working style and has
>> demonstrated good herding ability for a young dog (he's just one) all
with
>> virtually no training.
>>
>> We bred these two in hopes of producing puppies who possess the old farm
>> collie traits.  Ellie had a litter of 8 puppies June 6th.  There are 5
>> males and 3 females. Both parents have wonderful temperments.  They are
>> exceptional with children (we have 6).  We would like to place them in
>> good homes.  If any one is interested feel free to e-mail me for more
>> info.
>>
>> I look forward to participating in future discussions (ie. I love talking
>> about my dogs <g> !)
>>
>> Amy Dorsch