Good answer Kay although I must say I was disappointed w/ the OFA cardiac test and if one were to be honest, the thyroid test should probably be done every year to mean anything. (I just did a 10 1/2 year old, his skin was getting dry, came back fine, naturally didn't bother to send it in). The reason I was disappointed w/ the whole cardiac thing? I learned (through a lister, but it's actually true) that a dog w/ a murmur can still get (cardiac) certified. Scratching my head wondering what's the point???? I'd know at 6 weeks if a puppy had a problem. I don't know any serious breeder who would keep let alone breed a dog w/ a heart issue. The last time I had a dog at the vet I had the vet sign their cert, verify their chip # and sent it along to OFA w/ $15. I guess I'll start doing that, but again, for ME, pretty worthless. Kathy, member GSDCA, DVGSDC Celebrating generations of Dual Titled TC'd Champions visit _http://www.pinehillgsds.com/_ (http://www.pinehillgsds.com/) In a message dated 12/10/2011 11:01:06 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, SHOWGSD@xxxxxxx writes: > > 1)Do you think the time has come to change the CHIC requirements to > include additional tests like cardiac and thyroid and, particularly, > DM? As I have previously stated, I was extremely disappointed when the CHIC requirements were lowered and the tests for heart and thyroid were removed. It made absolutely no sense to lower requirements just to get the numbers up. How is that helping the health of the breed? I sincerely think that the new officers and board need to revisit this and bring the requirements back to what they were before. As far as adding requirements for DM and Mega, I think this needs to be studied only for the fact that there is some concern by many that the DM test is not as good as it should be. I don't know if this is true or not. Since it is the only test we have I certainly think all breeding dogs need to have this test done and the results made public. I have tested my dogs for DM for years starting with the University of Florida test many years ago and recently using the OFA test. I understand there is work being done to develop a test for Mega. If this does prove to be something that can be genetically determined and the test is conclusive, I think then it should be add to the CHIC. Kay Springer www.showboatgsd.com Home of Multi BISS & Multi Group Winning Ch. Rohan's Reward TC,CGC,HT,RE,CDX, CHIC (h,e,h,t) DM Clear "Strider" 80 BOBs #5 & #6 GSD 2009 ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2011. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and its administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed in any post. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org SUBSCRIPTION:http://showgsd.org/mail.html NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================ ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2011. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and its administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed in any post. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org SUBSCRIPTION:http://showgsd.org/mail.html NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================