health tests for labradors

[splashgirl45]

my friend has just started looking for a lab and wants to be as sure as possible that its healthy . she is very confused about what tests the parents should have had, she knows about hip and elbow scoring but not sure what else is necessary.

im no help as ive had crossbreeds for the last 30 years . can anyone give me an idea of what she should be looking for, and what would be a red flag

 

[Prancerpoos]

I suggest your friend goes to the Labrador site and joins the lab forums on FB. They will be helpful on what to look for plus they will help with finding a good litter.

https://www.thelabradorsite.com/

 

[CorvusCorax]

Several generations of low HD/ED scores as a minimum. Satinbaze posted the breed average chart the other day, you'd be looking for on or below the median scores for the breed.

 

[splashgirl45]

thanks i will point her in the right direction as i havent a clue

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

They need to have no history of eye problems too. PRA is something that Labs are genetically prone to.

 

[SAujla]

Hip and Elbow scores for both parents and going back generations like CC said. My opinion is that you'd want hip scores that add up to be less than 12 and one hip within 3 of the other, like 3/5 making 8 rather than 1/6 making 7. Elbow scores must be 0, non-negotiable.

EIC and DM being clear is ideal for Labradors as well

 

[splashgirl45]

thanks everyone, have passed info on

 

[SusieT]

hips, elbows, eyes - dna test for PRA , EIC
for parents, not pup

 

[Thistle]

There are lots of DNA tests but KC only recommend a few https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/gundog/retriever-labrador/ As long as one parent tests clear for something the pup won't be affected by that problem even if the other parent is a carrier. However the pup may then be a carrier but you won't need to worry about that unless you intend breeding. Labradors vary a huge amount, from short legged, blocky, placid show types to full on rocket powered trialling types, with all sorts in between. Your friend needs to do a lot of research into what type of lab they want. The working type ones are generally longer legged and more 'sporty' than the show type. Beware of getting something too rocket fuelled if you just want a couch potato. Also beware of the current fashion for unusual colours, silver and charcoal are not recognised colours, they are dilute forms of brown and black, unscrupulous breeders are cashing in on this and producing badly put together pups wit littel of no health testing just for colour. Likewise Fox Red, they are lots of red pups around that have been bred for colour (Red is just genetically a dark yellow), if you want a red pup look for one that has other colours in it's breeding to get a more diverse gene pool. There are a lot of badly bred reds out there! This is a fully health tested Red working type dog.

Once your friend has narrowed down choices then have a look on 'Champdogs' for litters and breeders in your area. They verify all the health tests before you advertise, so a good place for a novice to start. Contact breeders and also owners of stud dogs that you like. I sometimes get emails looking for pups, even though I just own a dog but always pass them on to any bitch owners that have used him.

 

[splashgirl45]

There are lots of DNA tests but KC only recommend a few https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/gundog/retriever-labrador/ As long as one parent tests clear for something the pup won't be affected by that problem even if the other parent is a carrier. However the pup may then be a carrier but you won't need to worry about that unless you intend breeding. Labradors vary a huge amount, from short legged, blocky, placid show types to full on rocket powered trialling types, with all sorts in between. Your friend needs to do a lot of research into what type of lab they want. The working type ones are generally longer legged and more 'sporty' than the show type. Beware of getting something too rocket fuelled if you just want a couch potato. Also beware of the current fashion for unusual colours, silver and charcoal are not recognised colours, they are dilute forms of brown and black, unscrupulous breeders are cashing in on this and producing badly put together pups wit littel of no health testing just for colour. Likewise Fox Red, they are lots of red pups around that have been bred for colour (Red is just genetically a dark yellow), if you want a red pup look for one that has other colours in it's breeding to get a more diverse gene pool. There are a lot of badly bred reds out there! This is a fully health tested Red working type dog.

Once your friend has narrowed down choices then have a look on 'Champdogs' for litters and breeders in your area. They verify all the health tests before you advertise, so a good place for a novice to start. Contact breeders and also owners of stud dogs that you like. I sometimes get emails looking for pups, even though I just own a dog but always pass them on to any bitch owners that have used him.

one good thing she isnt interested in flashy colours, yellow or black are her choices and she is quite a bit younger than me and very active so she doesnt want a ploddy dog so i assume the lighter more athletic will suit her. she does know a kc breeder who is planning a litter soon and she just wanted to know exactly what constitutes a good list of tests. hopefully if someone is kc registered they should be ok, but she wanted to know what to look for. thanks all , i will ;pass all the info on to her

 

[Clodagh]

If she gets the proper pedigree name of the parents she can search on the KC site for health test results
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/health-test-results-finder
Being KC reg sadly means nothing as the KC is not interested in dog welfare, just printing money.

 

[splashgirl45]

further to this thread i was window shopping for labradors on freeads just out of interest to see what was being advertised and i have been sad to see some of the ads advertising 7 or 9 month old labs for sale, the excuse being now back at work...then i saw an ad for a 7 YEAR old choc lab with allergies being sold for £200, poor dog due to work dont have time for her so just going to sell rather than trying to rehome or contacting a lab rescue to make sure she goes to the right home....

 

[Clodagh]

That’s so sad. I went and looked.
9 month old pup, ‘has all his tackle will be great for breading’. people are shit.

 

[meggymoo]

further to this thread i was window shopping for labradors on freeads just out of interest to see what was being advertised and i have been sad to see some of the ads advertising 7 or 9 month old labs for sale, the excuse being now back at work...then i saw an ad for a 7 YEAR old choc lab with allergies being sold for £200, poor dog due to work dont have time for her so just going to sell rather than trying to rehome or contacting a lab rescue to make sure she goes to the right home....

And this just sums up why 'in general' I prefer dogs to people!

 

[Clodagh]

That’s so sad. I went and looked.
9 month old pup, ‘has all his tackle will be great for breading’. people are shit.

I keep looking at this boys ad, if he is still for sale when my kennels are up I might offer £500. Scout would be happy ?