Breeding Procedures

General Procedures

Anyone who wishes to breed the Lykos dog in Australia, and/or Development/Foundation Stock dogs must:

Work with your LWCA registered breeder under their existing kennel name with Agreements being adhered to and in line with LWCA procedures, or:
Register your own prefix when signing the Code of Ethics (via Forms page) and submission to the LWCA

The Code of Ethics is designed to protect the breed and bloodlines, and can also be downloaded via the Forms page.

New breeders, co-owners raising a litter for a registered breeder and Stud Dog owners are required to sign the Code of Ethics (04/2021) and become members of the LWCA.

Successful completion of the online 'Breeding Dogs and Cats Course' (via Animal Welfare Victoria). (10/2021)

Breeder prefixes must be no longer than 24 characters in total (including spaces), not be identical to, or similar in spelling, or phonetically, to a prefix name already registered by any other breeder or club, which could be deemed to cause misunderstanding, or confusion. Prefixes should follow industry standards.

All dogs must have the following carried out before approval for breeding is made:

- Dogs to be over the age of 12 months old for hip and elbow x-rays.

- Hip and elbow x-rayed and free of dysplasia (maximum of 5 per hip, elbows no more than 1 each). Dogs with higher hip scores will be considered on a case-by-case basis i.e. only if they are thought to bring other important qualities to the genepool and if done under the professional recommendation of the LWCA Veterinary Consultant/Specialist.

- Hip and elbow x-rays are to be graded by Dr Ray Ferguson BVSc of Monash Veterinary Clinic or any other Officially Registered Canine Health Information Database/Canine Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Scheme panellists (usually for ANKC registered breeds).

- DNA Tested - No affected or carrier dogs of any disease should be bred from. DNA testing is not mandatory if both parents have been tested and results are "clear - not carriers" by parentage testing already carried out. Evidence of such must be provided (direct link or email from DNA company). Most comprehensive DNA testing company - Embark

- Temperament Assessment - assessed by at least one of the panel of LWCA Breed Advisors.

- The LWCA's Breed Advisors must approve all pairings before mating, to ensure phenotype requirements are in line with the Breed Standard and genetics are suitable/valuable to the breed's development, as well as it's suitability in accordance with the Breed Standard.

- If new lines, DNA tested to check breed identification, with only allowable breeds as determined by the Breed Advisors. Dogs will be assessed and approved if they are voted to provide great benefit and qualities to the breed improvement in accordance with the Breed Standard.

- New bloodlines lines are registered into the stud book once all information is known/provided to the LWCA. There is no charge for new dog registrations.

- After prospective new Breeders provide copies of all health test results, they must undergo an phone/zoom interview, sign/return our Code of Ethics for approval, submit a membership application and have their breeding premises inspected before being reviewed and accepted as a breeder.

Hip & Elbow X-rays

Canine Hip & Elbow Dysplasia Scheme (Correct HD & ED scheme positioning - same as the BVA/OFA method). Please click here to download hip and elbow x-ray instructions (PDF format).

Veterinarian to scan dog for microchip, which is to be recorded on the grading form and all x-rays.

The onus is on the Veterinarian to ensure that the animals comply with the requirements of the LWCA outlined here. Failure to meet these requirements will mean that the dog will be required to be re-x-rayed. No attached labels will be accepted as means of positive identification.

The Veterinarian who took the x-ray, must send/email Monash Veterinary Clinic mvc@monashvet.com.au Attention: Dr Ray Ferguson BVSc) the following:

1. Completed MVC Hip & Elbow Report Form Click here to download grading form (Vet to send to Monash Vet Clinic in PDF Format)

2. Digital record of the x-rays of the dog's hips and elbows in the correct positioning (see images below), including positive ID (microchip no) and date on all x-rays (attached labels not accepted).

Poor positioning of radiographs cannot be accepted. Here is a good article on positioning. Another good one here.

The dog is put under a general anaesthetic so the hips and be extended into the correct position. It is important to take the dog to a vet who has been trained in radiographing dogs in the correct method, so they get the positioning correct.

If the vet is in any doubt, they can call and email Monash Vet for assistance with the digital radiographs to get one of their radiologists to check the positioning. If it's not adequate, the vet can re-do while the dog is still under general anaesthetic.

The owner is to contact Monash Veterinary Clinic (03) 9544 7455, to make payment ($90) for the grading before any scoring is completed. Monash Vet email: mvc@monashvet.com.au

Dr Ferguson will email results to the owner/s. This email can then be forwarded directly to the LWCA.

Some Veterinarians may wish to sight the dog's Certificate of Registration & Pedigree when completing the MCV Hip and Elbow Report Form, but this is optional. The most important thing is that the identification matches (i.e. microchip) on all films and forms.

DNA Testing Links

Comprehensive DNA Testing via Embark

(Optional) Coat Length Testing via Orivet