If the joints pass on a bitch but she had ACL surgery earlier in her life what are your thoughts on breeding her?

Do you consider ACL tears as hereditary?

Yes I do consider the dog to be predisposed to that issue, most certainly if it is bilateral, with history behind them. Like anything else, choose to breed these dogs with that issue first and foremost in your mind, and search diligently for soundness , too bad we don't have Wind Morgan anymore. Do not go forward w/head in sand, it's there , face it , deal with it.

I have bred my bitch with a repaired ACL. She tore it in a butt-tucking accident while wet - I saw the wipe-out on the slick garage floor. She hasn't torn the other side and has been sound ever since (2 1/2 years ago), so I don't consider it a genetic issue in this case.

I think you would have to consider each dog on a case-by-case basis - if it was bilateral, if several other relatives had an issue with it, etc...

I think if it were really as simple as weak ligaments (maybe because of some deficiency), wouldn't we see other problems with other ligaments in the dog? Any statement about it being genetic is speculation. There is no evidence, only opinion, and even the specialists don't agree. Of course, what absolutely is genetic is the angle of the bones that is putting extra pressure on that particular ligament. The conformation is genetic. I don't think we will have disputes on that point.

As far as breeding goes, I don't think such a dog should be tossed, but I would be extra diligent in breeding only to dogs with no history of tears back for a few generations.

Additionally, because of the extra weight of pregnancy, I would be certain that such a bitch be in top condition before she was bred. I would have her out doing strengthening exercises well beforehand and during early pregnancy. I also wouldn't breed her all that much. Maybe 2 litters tops.

So, no, I don't think a tear alone should mean the dog shouldn't be used, but I do think it means you have more things to consider when breeding.

Hold on there bucko!
Specialist do agree it's hereditary! Unless you have polled every specialist out there, your statement that "Specialist don't agree" is untrue.

So sorry, I should have said "some" specialists do!

Depends if it's an injury or just happened. Same advice so many of you give on elbows. If you saw the dog get hurt, then you can probably breed with a clear conscience.

Yes SOME. That's not agreement "bucko".

Some call it an injury on elbows and some say its not hereditary on ACLs. Some call that denial.

well I stand by my original post, with family history of similar situation, it is no different than breeding a Grade 2 elbow. Personally , Grade 2 elbow won't fly with me.

If it's sudden onset, it's an injury. Walking fine one minute then limping the next is injury.

I have a very nice bitch that blew and ACL on the ice last year. I saw it happen and cringed....
She blew the other 2 months ago. My vet thinks it is from the stress from compensating.
I point blank asked my vet if I should pull her from any breeding in the future and he said no. He did say that when we do breed her pick a dog without bowed legs in back and not as severe angles. Also check the family history for any ACL problem. He did not feel this was genetic.

I have one line that definitely has heritable ACL problems. I try to breed around it BUT there are many stud dogs out there who have had repairs which are hidden and that makes it difficult.

Had a boy who tore his (After all OFA certs's and I had also checked hocks and shoulders)-did the repair and shortly afte he tore the other. Both were TPLO-this was 8 yrs ago. The Orhto surg was one of the pioneers of this surg in our area (NJ)-he has sinced followed many of his patients as he writes articles regarding this issue and the long term recovery of TPLO. Anyhow-his opinion has been it is hereditary in nature (from his research and studies) and that these animals should not be used in a breeding program. We pulled this boy and he remains a wonderful companion-further investigation of his pedigree has revealed many others from diff. breedings with offspring requiring the same surg.
I think breeders and owners need to be honest about this issue and really walk lightly when it comes to using "repairs" in the breeding programs. Saying it is just an "injury" and continued use could contribute to why we see so many more animals suffering this condition.

It's in one of my newer lines to. Makes me sick when I hear back from one of my families that their dog tore their cruciate. 2 of the cases the dogs were severely over weight and I still don't know what they were doing with their dogs at the time their injured their knees. We've had 3 torn cruciates since I started these lines and of the 3, one of them was the dam of the other 2 dogs. I did manage to crate rest my girl for a good month and hers healed fine. I've been chosing boys who have super muscled rear ends, not too straight and not overly angulated.