Our passion is Field Spaniels!

We really mean it, we our passionate about our Field Spaniels. Therefore as a club and as individuals we believe in promoting the health of our breed.   The Code of Ethics agreed to by members of this club includes the following:

Any member, who contemplates breeding a litter or allows the use of their stud dog to the same purpose, will make every effort to produce exceptional quality and temperaments.

Breeders shall:  Be familiar with the breed standard and only breed animals that conform to the standard.  Breed only healthy and mature animals that are at least approximately 24 months of age. The sire/dam should be free from serious congenital and hereditary defects as determined by radiographic examination of hips and ACVO examination of eyes. Elbows, thyroid and the heart may also be checked. Full disclosure and documentation of the results of such testing and any other health issues shall be made available not only to the owners of the sire /dam prior to the breeding but also to the buyer prior to any placement of the puppies.

For information on radiographic examination of canine hips and other testing, please visit the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) website.

For information about examination of canine eyes, please visit the CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) website.

In addition, consider participating in the DNA Blood Bank and a current canine study of epilepsy. The Canine Epilepsy Project is a collaborative study into the causes of epilepsy in dogs. It is supported by grants from the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), individual breed clubs and private donations. Their goal is to find the genes responsible for epilepsy in dogs so that wise breeding can decrease the incidence of the disease. Knowing what genes regulate epilepsy in dogs may help better tailor any therapy to the specific cause.

Currently the Group includes:

· The University of Missouri

· The University of Minnesota

· Ohio State University

· Animal Health Trust (United Kingdom)

These group of scientists have agreed to share DNA samples, phenotype data, and genotype data share credit for scientific contribution by co-authoring manuscripts and put discoveries into the public domain.

What You Can Do-

Make an appointment with your Vet to have blood drawn in a "purple top" tube, your vet will know what this means, for each dog. Include a 5 generation pedigree and mark the tube with your name and the dog's name. Please also include the sample form with health information. Sending this form will ensure that the one blood draw will go to the epilepsy study AND the DNA bank for future use. Have it sent overnight, do NOT send on the weekend or on a Holiday, to:

Dr. Gary Johnson
Attn: Liz Hansen
Animal Molecular Genetics Laboratory
321 Connaway Hall
Columbia, MO 65211

If you have questions or need clarification, please contact Liz Hansen at 573-884-3712 or e-mail: HansenL@missouri.edu

Downloadable Forms

DNA Sample Form (from OFA website)

Copyright  © 2005 Foxriver Field Spaniel Club