The following is a letter written by a Paw Print Genetics' customer, Justin Riegsecker, posted here with his permission. Click to find out more about JARS Labradoodles.
I started JARS Labradoodles three years ago when I purchased my first Australian Labradoodle stud. I am very fortunate in that my father has been a breeder for over 43 years - fortunate because he allowed me to get started by essentially giving me three amazing Moyen Poodle females. More importantly, I am fortunate because he has taught me many things about raising puppies and how to deal with the unexpected. I'm sure you know the proverb about the difference between giving a man a fish or teaching a man to fish. I really feel like I was given the fish AND taught how to fish. Our business has grown over these three years and I've merged JARS Labradoodles with my father's Goldendoodle breeding program.
Brief personal history as credentials . . .
In the world of dog breeding, I started long before any genetic testing was readily available, with Chesapeakes, more than 25 years ago now. We performed OFA Hips and that was about it. Then I went back to my herding dog roots with Australian Shepherds, Miniature Australian Shepherds and now Miniature American Shepherds. What I have to say about genetic testing however, applies regardless of breed.
Since the announcement that we ended our litigation over the gene patents for progressive retinal atrophy (prcd), collie eye anomaly, congenital stationary night blindness in Briards, and retinal dysplasia/oculoskeletal dysplasia in Labradors, there has been a huge outpouring of encouragement and congratulations from our customers. At Paw Print Genetics, we are all very touched by this support.