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Re: Ryman Health?


The Ryman Setters Forum Forums Health Ryman Health? Re: Ryman Health?

#179
October Setters
Keymaster

    Robert,

    Your question brings several things to mind for me. First, I don’t think
    there is an
    extreme rate of health issues in English setters overall, or in
    Ryman-types. They have them, but in general not more than other breeds. The choices made by individual breeders determines the rates coming out of their kennels.

    I don’t buy the story you’ve been told that breeders of other types of
    English setters aren’t getting ANY allergies. Maybe some of them saying
    this just don’t have much experience yet, or they aren’t recognizing it
    for what it is (maybe they would call it “skin problems”, “intestinal
    problems”, or similar), but allergies are fairly common and known from
    all ES- bench, field trial
    and Llewellin lines as well as the Ryman-types, same as hip and elbow
    dysplasia, deafness, hypothyroid, etc. If you find breeders
    who won’t admit, or don’t know, these problems exist in their setters
    I’d
    recommend finding another breeder. 

    In our experience cancer is common in old dogs, uncommon in dogs younger
    than about 12 years of age. Because of all the possible environmental
    influences on cancer, one 8 year old dog is not necessary a red flag to
    me. If multiple closely related dogs get cancer at a young age then I
    would be concerned.

    What kind of stomach problem needed surgery? Without knowing what that
    was it is impossible to judge whether this is a health problem related to
    breeding or to the lines.

    Most importantly, other breeders started with the same lines you’re
    talking about, made better choices, and are not producing lots of health
    problems. The answer is there- look back at where you got your dog,
    analyze the breeding program, consider the condition, care, and
    evaluation of the dogs. Figure out where the mistakes were made so you
    can avoid repeating them if you do decide to breed. 

    Lisa

    Ryman Setters Forum