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