Any genetic defects should be noted and the ancestry of the affected animal checked. PIH factsheet 97 contains information on a number of known genetic defects. Structural Soundness Breeding animals must be structurally correct and mobile to carry out their normal functions.
Limited research suggests soundness is at least moderately heritable.
The following recommendations are offered as aids in selecting replacement animals. The animals should be evaluated at or near the end of test and prior to conditioning. Date of appraisal should be noted. Animals should be given a score of 1 to 5 for both front and rear leg conformation using Figure 2 as a guide. Front and rear scores should be summed for the final evaluation.