Health We have been very fortunate at Wakemup to have encountered only a few health issues at this time. Three members of the Dance litter were borderline low thyroid and on medication, and one has a mildly dysplastic hip. One member of the Run litter died at the age of 3.5 yrs. All breeding stock at Wakemup Goldens is screened for inherited defects as recommended by the GRCA. All breeding bitches have Eye, heart, and elbow clearances. In addition we screen hips with both OFA and Penn Hip methods, as well as run a blood test for thyroid function. We also have as thorough as possible knowledge about the littermates of our girls, as all puppies bred by us are required to obtain clearances as well. When selecting sires, we look at depth of pedigree for longevity and clearance information, and tend to breed to males that are well into adulthood (7 years or older). This also gives us a chance to see mature offspring sired by that particular dog. While genetics is a bit of a gamble, and nobody can truly guarantee what puppies will turn out like, we try our best to minimize the risk of losing your beloved pet any sooner than necessary. All of these factors in addition to temperament, structure, and working ability make for a long decision making process! |
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