When I was looking for a puppy I was told by one breeder that cocker spaniels do not need testing for PRA.
That's appalling IMO
William is 6 years old and his dad was tested just after William was born, when testing was just beginning to become more commonplace and more easily available. William's dad is a PRA carrier and his owner publicised the fact and subsequently only used him at stud to Optigen tested clear bitches. You could argue that he shouldn't have been used at stud at all any more, but I think his exceptional temperament gave merit to him being used. I don't know William's PRA status, although I know a litter mate tested clear, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he is unaffected.
As time goes on and more Cockers are being tested I think there is increasingly little merit in breeding from dogs or bitches that are carriers. I'm prepared to be shot down in flames here, but surely as the years go by the gene pool of hereditarily clear or tested clear stock will get big enough to warrant breeding only from them?
I think it's wrong to breed from affected dogs or bitches, even if they're mated to a clear bitch or dog and the pedigrees are endorsed not for breeding. The puppies will be carriers and despite the endorsement there's nothing to stop their owners from breeding from them and simply not registering the litters with the KC.
There are loads of Cocker Spaniels in the area where I live and when I meet owners with puppies I ask them about health testing and I'm amazed at how few have any idea about it.
