While it is best to start with breeders who test both parents, it also depends (IMO) what (type) you are looking for, and any future plans for your dog. Show types are more regularly tested for FN, PRA and hip scored (but within working stock, all three tests together are less common). Having show types, I do know that FN was a big problem in show types some years ago, but I wasn’t fixated on ensuring my working type puppy came from FN tested parents as my research indicated that FN had not been a problem within working strain cockers. I wanted a puppy from a specific line/ stud dog who has been PRA tested clear, and I started from there. As you probably know – an affected dog cannot be produced through a mating between one clear and one carrier/affected parent. My puppy’s dam has not been screened for PRA. I looked at the risk, however, and decided that as my puppy would never be affected by PRA due to the stud dogs’ clear result, the worst case would be him as a carrier (which means he would never suffer from this condition). As I don’t intend to use him at stud, this is not an issue. If I were ever to contemplate using him, he would be tested as there is a small risk that he could carry the condition. Hip scoring (and FN testing) in workers is uncommon at present so insisting that both parents be scored and FN tested would have severely limited my choice/ selection.
Do your research carefully and try to get a feel for which breeders are in it for the right reasons. And bear in mind that some ‘in it for the money’ type breeders now advertise their many puppies as ‘from health tested parents’ as it ensures a higher price for pups –health testing isn’t necessarily a guarantee of a decent breeder. Breeders breeding to keep a puppy for themselves to work or show would IMO be the best place to start as they are more likely to be breeding for conformation, temperament, biddability, as well as health. Meet and speak to lots of breeders, find the ones you personally like, and the ones with dogs you like. Ask them about health testing.
Also do lots of reading/ questioning about health testing itself and what tests do what – for example gonioscopy is an annual eye test while pRCD-PRA is DNA/genetic testing. An annual test won’t show whether a dog is a carrier of PRA (and some breeders do the annual testing only...) Some PRA carrier dogs are bred from as well (usually to clear dogs). Some will be hereditarily clear also. Also find out the average hip score for cockers if you’re looking for scored parents (I think it’s about 14?), as dogs with above average hip scores wouldn’t be the best breeding stock. Unbalanced scores aren’t great either. Apologies for this being so long, but health testing is quite a minefield and you will do yourself a favour by finding out as much as possible about it during your research in preparation for your new puppy.
I am not advocating no health testing, just suggesting that two/ both tested parents aren’t always an absolute must as other factors may come into play and health testing of both parents shouldn’t necessarily totally outweigh other important factors such as good temperament and working ability (and vice versa). It’s a balance. This is only my personal experience and opinion, though. All the best with your search. I loved learning all about lines, health tests, etc when researching in preparation of buying my puppy.
