@etzbseder:

I understand everyone does things differently, but I have to ask:

Eva, the way you make it sound, we don?t need the Fanconi test if it makes no difference how many times ?clear? shows up in a pedigree, you should test every dog at least once a month because every dog will have the same chances of getting Fanconi. Is that right?

What I am saying is the current test we have is a linked marker test. It is a very valuable first step and is the result of many hours of research. It is not a direct test as the gene that actually carries fanconi has yet to be identified. Responsible and Reputable breeders and owners will do their part by first having their dogs tested. Then since fanconi is a late onset disease should continue to strip test their dogs regardless of the results they receive for several years and report any inconsistent results so those dogs DNA can be further studied and hopefully bring the researchers closer to problem gene. Sir we are only 3 years into this portion of the battle. There are many dogs who are way younger than the typical age of onset and errors are being reported. There are carriers that have developed fanconi, there are puppies being tested affected from clear parents. There are old dogs that tested affected that have never displayed the disease.

Everyone can rest assured that Presley is strip tested adequately!!! LOL Lets just say I don't have to worry about my strips expiring. Really it isn't a laughing matter at all. If you knew me at all or have seen Presley and I together you would know how much my striped brat means to me. He and I are tight. I lost it when his results came back and literally had to be drugged so I could sleep. It took me a while to come to grips and realize Presley's just as each and every result received has a Big Probable in front of it….. Presley is not on death row. He may never spill a drop of sugar. His test could be an error, or He may be among the sector that never developes the disease. Heaven for bid he does spill sugar I will catch it early and give him the best shot at a normal life. Presley is almost 7 and I have NEVER seen him turn down a meal. I look at it this way if my test is an error the worse thing besides the stigma and the heart break that came with the result is..... I bought several bottles of strips and I have stood outside in a wide variety of weather in a wide variety of attire in many different places with my dog on a lead and me leaning down and running a strip through his urine flow. There are others out there who celebrated the receiving of results by throwing away their test strips and bragging about NO more fanconi in their lines. The result of their failing to test the test by continuing to strip test at the very least once a month has far graver consequences, for not just themselves and their dog, but just maybe you if you happen to be someone who buys a puppy from them!

I test Presley at least once a week and any day I just need a little extra confidence he is ok. I live with the hope that he will never spill a drop of sugar, but heaven forbid it ever happens I want to catch it right early.

Debra, Amen and Amen!!! When I received the result my boy was prob affected I have to admit though as far to the left as it was I without fail for over 2 years stripped him every single day. It was my way of getting through the day with some sort of peace of mind. I am now on a far more reasonable schedule :) I hate to hear anyone promote skipping a month here and there. Pick a day of the month and engrave it in your schedule.

@etzbseder:

When you test, it should be several days in a row, so when you have a case like mine. Carrier from a clear and a child of two clears, I don?t think testing every month is necessary, every 3 months should be sufficient. If you know about the disease you know what to look for more than just a color change on a strip of paper.

I agree it never hurts to strip several days in a row….. But I totally disagree with your statement that it isn't necessary to strip test every month. There is such a variety of presentation among dogs that you should at the very least strip test once a month. Besides doing it on a set time table helps to engrave the habit into your daily life.

@DebraDownSouth:

EXACTLY what I was thinking! lol The missing color was obvious! Poor Tris!

Welcome to the forum.

I guess I will share a picture of my tri by proxy! Vesper lives in Illinois. We share grooming space with her every chance we get, We have made numerous social trips to her house and she to ours. She even spent a week at our house without her family. This is Presley and Vesper sharing an x-pen at a picnic.

Thank you everyone for the welcome and the compliments. We think they are all pretty special. Tucker is our wise one and the sweetest boy you could ever meet. He can open just about anything he sets his mind on. I have more child saftey equipment in my home now than I did raising my 4 2 legged kids. Milly's petite features fool many. Lets just say the cats in the neighborhood no longer use our backyard as a short cut. But we love our dainty demon. The Best word to describe Presley is BRAT. He would be perfectly content if he and I were stranded on an island. He thinks I hung the moon which in turn causes me to think the stars spell out his name. LOL Then we have our black baby Lola….Lola thinks life is a party and she is the guest of honor. I spend most of my day picking up things and asking myself Where did she or how did she find this to drag out? She loves purses and snoops through any that she finds unattended regardless of where they are or who they belong to, judges bags not withstanding. As for needing a Tri... My husband would love one someday and maybe when the time comes for a new addition we will, but that won't be anytime soon. I will be honest and say that I lean another direction.

I just discovered the forum through a friend. We brought home our first basenji a little over 7 years ago. He was a much anticipated Christmas gift for our son who had researched the breed and set his heart on a basenji. He named him Tucker and he made short work of enchanting us and changing our lives forever. When Tuck was 5 mo old we brought home 4 mo old Milly to be a playmate for him. I came across a picture one day of a brindle and voiced my delight and desire to someday have one of my own. In a chance meeting at a show my husband set in motion making that a reality for me despite my proclamation we really didn't need another puppy right then. I stand today corrected as Presley and I were meant to be together.

We enjoy showing in conformation. Tucker (Red) became Ch. Birchs I'm A Dream Come True 5/05, Milly (Red) became Ch. Lacada's Energizer Bunny 10/06 and Presley (Brindle) became Ch. Jazzeta's I Was The One JC 7/07. My husband decided he needed a new show puppy. So in March of 2008 Lola (Black) joined the family. We were thrilled to announce we were 4 for 4 when Lola became Ch. Signet Dangerous Liaison 2/10. We have yet to breed a litter but haven't ruled out that possibility at some point in the future. Right now we are simply enjoying life with 4 curly tailed clowns running through our home and grateful for the wonderful friends these magical creatures have brought into our lives.