"I feel health testing is extremely important especially for those who breed. However, why is CHIC or OFA never discussed (no brochures) at any shows? I would like more information on health testing and yes going to the web site is informative but it's also nice when you can ask questions and get answers from those who have gone through the process".

I am probably guilty of assuming that all Bulldoggers are BCA members and read the Bulldogger where I have discussed health testing, as has Jennifer in the past. I do try to post on these boards, but I do not belong to all of them. We have tried to make the website informative. I will take your advise and add links to each health committee member to the website.

"Will OFA and CHIC information be offered at any upcoming shows? Will they offer any on-site testing at shows? How does one go about requesting this information"

Here are links to OFA and CHIC. Find all the information you need to get applications forms (which give instruction for your vet), upcoming clinics at all-breed shows (we have an eye clinic in Chickesha all-breed Saturday, but it is not listed at OFA, pay attention to your premium lists)FAQs. Search for the bulldog page in the CHIC breeds link.
We are hopefull to have our planned "booth in a box" available to specialty clubs early next year. It will be up to your club to requist this material. Information on this project will be published in as many outlets as I have access to when it is all finalized.
National will be working on it's third year of health testing in Reading. We had a cardiac clinics in FLA and Spokane this year.
I believe POOCH was the only bulldog to get tested in Spokane....sad!!!!
We can only offer these services, we cannot get people to utilize them. It is not free for the clubs, the vets do charge for their services.
Philadelphia club has offered CERF clinics in the past and I think Las Vegas had a clinic at their show last weekend.
You can email me privately at any time for more questions.
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http://www.offa.org/
http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/

"I was under the impression health testing was going to be offered at the Vegas show as well. The only offering was Micro Chip no health testing what so ever.
Yes, I can go to the websites for CHIC and OFA but it sure would be nice to be able to speak with someone at the shows who have gone through the testing themselves".

No one can control every breeder, The fact that so few breeders do any health screenings is really no reflection of the club. I choose to do health testing on my dogs and with no guidance at all from the BCA I figured out how. I feel it is important. Not sure why others do not.

"I am a BCA member, but a new member and the information offered on the BCA site is great but it seems to be limited".

It has all the information on it that is available to everyone and everything you need to know to get your dogs health screened. The tests you choose are up to you. The CHIC required tests are the easiest tests we could utilize, its hard enough to get people to do any health testing at all, and patellas and cardiac issues are certainly important areas of concern with our breed.

"The premiums I've read so far have no mentions of health testing?
Believe me, I am trying to get as much (complete) information as possible and would love to see this offered".

Many club members will tell you it's hard enough to get a show off the ground, let alone having people man the health clinics. Its up to the clubs to get the work out to their members. With so few breeders doing tests, its no surprise that clubs are slow to get that ball rolling. It takes allot of man power to get this stuff done. Why not consider getting involved with that aspect of your own club and help organize a clinic at your club's next specialty show?

"I myself have gone through an emotional roller coaster with health issues of my first bully and prior to getting my second I had to look long and hard dig deep to find an actual bulldog breeder who practices health screening".

"I also understand certain health tests such as the cardiac one has to be redone once a year".

Cardiac is a one shot deal. CERF is the yearly exam.

"I will email you with other questions I have but don't you want this to be a public subject string where others like myself are able to learn more about health testing? The only way to get interest built is by publicizing it? Hopefully this will produce more participants?"

What exactly are your main questions? Good chance people are afraid to ask them here. There are also a good amount of people who have utilized the web sites available and figured out how to get these tests done with the information provided.
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I was under the impression health testing was going to be offered at the Vegas show as well. The only offering was Micro Chip no health testing what so ever.

Yes, I can go to the websites for CHIC and OFA but it sure would be nice to be able to speak with someone at the shows who have gone through the testing themselves.

I am a BCA member, but a new member and the information offered on the BCA site is great but it seems to be limited.

The premiums I've read so far have no mentions of health testing?
Believe me, I am trying to get as much (complete) information as possible and would love to see this offered.

I myself have gone through an emotional roller coaster with health issues of my first bully and prior to getting my second I had to look long and hard dig deep to find an actual bulldog breeder who practices health screening.

I also understand certain health tests such as the cardiac one has to be redone once a year.

I will email you with other questions I have but don't you want this to be a public subject string where others like myself are able to learn more about health testing? The only way to get interest built is by publicizing it? Hopefully this will produce more participants?

I thought it was pretty cool to have one of only 22 Bulldogs listed currently. Hope others will follow suit!

Tori and Dora will be tested in 2008 when they turn two years old. I like to wait until then to do all of the screenings.

I feel health testing is extremely important especially for those who breed. However, why is CHIC or OFA never discussed (no brochures) at any shows? I would like more information on health testing and yes going to the web site is informative but it's also nice when you can ask questions and get answers from those who have gone through the process.

Will OFA and CHIC information be offered at any upcoming shows? Will they offer any on-site testing at shows? How does one go about requesting this information?

you should get each OFA cert individually. As soon as your dog meets the CHIC requirements, you will get that cert too. I saw two of your dogs on the chic site, you should get your cert soon.
http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/results.html?submit=Begin&breed=BU
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Do the certificates automatically come to you if your dogs are OFA'd?? My bulldogs are OFA'd and I have not recieved anything in the mail yet....

We got Armani's the other day, just waiting on Fendi, Circus, Pooch and Oscar's to come.
Jennifer has a boat load of dogs there. The CHIC director was surprised to see 22 bulldogs in the database, but I think we can get many more.

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nm