Here are a few words and acronyms you'll see used throughout our Web site. Most of the terminology is linked to this page using hypertext. Use your browser's back button to return to the page you were just viewing.

CH Spindrift Plenty O' Plunder

ECS: English Cocker Spaniel

Health related:

OFA : Orthopedic Foundation of America.
This is the certifying body for hips, elbows, etc..
link http://www.offa.org

BAER : Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response
A test done on puppies anytime after the age of 6 weeks to determine genetic deafness in one or both ears.
link http://www.Isu.edu/deafness/deaf.htm

CERF : Canine Eye Registration Foundation
CERF testing is done annually in our breed to detect any changes that may
indicate early stages of PRA (progressive retinal atrophy). The CERF exam
will also discover other eye related diseases that may or may not be hereditary.
link http://www.vet.purdue.edu/~yshen/cerf.htm

Optigen DNA Testing
There is still quite a bit of controversy about this test, but it is generally believed that if you do get an A rating your dog is clear of PRA and could not produce it in any of his or her get as it is a recessive gene and takes both parents to produce it.
link http://www.optigen.com

Pedigree related:

AM : American
CN : Canadian
MX : Mexican
INT'L : International

ECM : English Cocker of Merit

Other:

ECSCA : English Cocker Spaniel Club of America
link: http://www.ecsca.org