Labrador Retrievers are a sound breed but like any species of living organism can develop health issues.
Registered breeders including myself try to ensure the health and well being of our future pups by various health screens of breeding dogs and familiarity with the blood lines we use and combine.
Some of the issues seen in Labrador Retrievers (and many other breeds) are Hip and Elbow dysplasia, Arthritis, prcd PRA blindness & congential cataracts. These conditions affect many breeds and can be screened for.
My dogs all have hip n elbow assessments done by a recognized veterinary radiologist , at least one parent will be PRA clear and blood lines are known and any new lines are thoroughly investigated.
There are also now tests for EIC and many other inheritable diseases , our younger stud dogs are tested for these as a matter of routine and results are available and can be explained on viewing.
All of our pups go home with a pack which includes the test results of both parents.
Purebreed v Designer "breed"
Many health issues can be introduced by cross breeding either by genes from another type of dog or by incompatibility of build/temperament. For this reason as well as the lack of screening and accountability in the so called designer dogs I would encourage any potential owner to think long and hard and ask many questions and do alot of research before heading down that path. There are many studies which show that second generation cross's more commonly result in the defects rather than attributes of the bloodlines being passed along. Organizations which provide seeing eye dogs routinely neuter all offspring of cross breed matings, breeding only from pure bred lines.
Many health issues such as arthritis, joint problems, epilepsy to name a few are aggravated by cross breeding. Be also aware that breeders of such dogs cannot register these dogs so their heritage is largely a matter of trust and these breeders are accountable to no formal code of ethics or organization such as Vic Dogs who regulate responsible breeders. Despite fancy names created to make these poor pups appear more legitimate they are what used to be known as mongrels or mixed breed. None of the designer names are a recognized breed unless they appear on the Vic Dog or Australian kennel club lists.
Registered breeders including myself try to ensure the health and well being of our future pups by various health screens of breeding dogs and familiarity with the blood lines we use and combine.
Some of the issues seen in Labrador Retrievers (and many other breeds) are Hip and Elbow dysplasia, Arthritis, prcd PRA blindness & congential cataracts. These conditions affect many breeds and can be screened for.
My dogs all have hip n elbow assessments done by a recognized veterinary radiologist , at least one parent will be PRA clear and blood lines are known and any new lines are thoroughly investigated.
There are also now tests for EIC and many other inheritable diseases , our younger stud dogs are tested for these as a matter of routine and results are available and can be explained on viewing.
All of our pups go home with a pack which includes the test results of both parents.
Purebreed v Designer "breed"
Many health issues can be introduced by cross breeding either by genes from another type of dog or by incompatibility of build/temperament. For this reason as well as the lack of screening and accountability in the so called designer dogs I would encourage any potential owner to think long and hard and ask many questions and do alot of research before heading down that path. There are many studies which show that second generation cross's more commonly result in the defects rather than attributes of the bloodlines being passed along. Organizations which provide seeing eye dogs routinely neuter all offspring of cross breed matings, breeding only from pure bred lines.
Many health issues such as arthritis, joint problems, epilepsy to name a few are aggravated by cross breeding. Be also aware that breeders of such dogs cannot register these dogs so their heritage is largely a matter of trust and these breeders are accountable to no formal code of ethics or organization such as Vic Dogs who regulate responsible breeders. Despite fancy names created to make these poor pups appear more legitimate they are what used to be known as mongrels or mixed breed. None of the designer names are a recognized breed unless they appear on the Vic Dog or Australian kennel club lists.
HIP & ELBOW DYSPLASIA
Sadly there is no easy test to determine the status of the parents. Currently we x-ray all breeding dogs and have these x-rays read by authorized radiologists and scored.
When buying a pup copies of results from both parents should be given to go home with pup.
At present the breed average for hips is 12.13 and the Labrador Retriever Club of Victoria states that parents with scores at or below breed average are acceptable to breed from. Vic dogs does not set a limit but refers to breed clubs for further information.
What do these scores mean...........
A series of structures and angles are assessed and given a score on both hips ...it is preferable that these be evenly spread and 0-2 or 3 over all areas.The points on each side are totaled and it is also thought to be better for each side to be fairly even . The total for each side are then added together and then the total score is achieved. Elbows are assessed and given a score each side as stated the Lab Club of Victoria suggests dogs with scores of 1 or under be used for breeding.
As the exact gene and method of inheritance is not known the assessment tool currently used means the parents are sound but is not a guarantee for the next generation..
It is also important to avoid high impact exercise on growing bones and joints and to have correct diet and weight as all these factors are known to impact on growing joints and therefore on these conditions.
In this condition there is progressive onset of lameness early in life due to poor joint formation....please remember not every lame dog has the condition. Young active dogs commonly pull tendons and muscles , but any lameness that hasn't settled with a week or so of rest should be discussed with your breeder and vet. Second opinions should be sought if there are concerns.
Sadly there is no easy test to determine the status of the parents. Currently we x-ray all breeding dogs and have these x-rays read by authorized radiologists and scored.
When buying a pup copies of results from both parents should be given to go home with pup.
At present the breed average for hips is 12.13 and the Labrador Retriever Club of Victoria states that parents with scores at or below breed average are acceptable to breed from. Vic dogs does not set a limit but refers to breed clubs for further information.
What do these scores mean...........
A series of structures and angles are assessed and given a score on both hips ...it is preferable that these be evenly spread and 0-2 or 3 over all areas.The points on each side are totaled and it is also thought to be better for each side to be fairly even . The total for each side are then added together and then the total score is achieved. Elbows are assessed and given a score each side as stated the Lab Club of Victoria suggests dogs with scores of 1 or under be used for breeding.
As the exact gene and method of inheritance is not known the assessment tool currently used means the parents are sound but is not a guarantee for the next generation..
It is also important to avoid high impact exercise on growing bones and joints and to have correct diet and weight as all these factors are known to impact on growing joints and therefore on these conditions.
In this condition there is progressive onset of lameness early in life due to poor joint formation....please remember not every lame dog has the condition. Young active dogs commonly pull tendons and muscles , but any lameness that hasn't settled with a week or so of rest should be discussed with your breeder and vet. Second opinions should be sought if there are concerns.
Lukilab Zeplin Boy....who doesnt have arthritis :)
ARTHRITIS
As in humans the mode of inheritance is not known, but things such as diet, joint damage and excess weight do make things worse and your breeder and vet can advise on these areas. Family history may also be significant.
Arthritis is not the same as Hip or Elbow dysplasia though often confused with them.
As in humans the mode of inheritance is not known, but things such as diet, joint damage and excess weight do make things worse and your breeder and vet can advise on these areas. Family history may also be significant.
Arthritis is not the same as Hip or Elbow dysplasia though often confused with them.
prcd-PRA BLINDNESS
PRA refers to a group of diseases that cause the retina of the eye to degenerate slowly over time. The result is declining vision and eventual blindness."prcd" stands for progressive rod cone degeneration, which is the tupe of PRA known in several breeds including Labrador Retrievers.
Labs have a fairly small incidence of this condition however as there is a genetic test available for breeders to test their animals there is no reason for breeders to take the risk of producing affected pups.
The following comes from one of the companys rsponsible for testing in Australia ( Genetic Technologies Group)
" The frequencies of normal/clear , carrier & affected among Optigen tested Labs.......statistics to date show 76% of tested Labs are Normal/clear, 21% are carriers and 3% are affected" (http://www.optigen.com/opt9_predpramutation.html)
This condition is a recessive trait so both parents must carry an affected gene for any of their young to have the disease.
A "normal / clear" dog has no affected gene and cannot develop or pass on the disease
An "affected" dog has two affected genes and will have the condition and will pass an affected gene to every offspring.
A "carrier" dog has one affected gene, it will NOT have the disease but will have passed on a clear gene to half its offspring and an affected gene to the other half of its offspring - unless the other parent carries the affected gene pups will be unaffected.
Pups from two clear parents cannot inherit the disease as either affected or carrier.
Pups from one clear parent and one carrier parent cannot develop the disease and will be either clear or carriers ( ratio statiscally 50% clear, 50% carrier). These pups will require testing only if breeding from them in later life so as to know their gene status so an appropriate choice of mate may be made.
Pups from two carrier parents will be possibly clear, carrier or affected ( ratio statiscally 25% clear, 50% carrier and 25% affected) These pups should be tested between 6-8 weeks of age to determine individual status, such matings should not be done.
As a result of Victorian Government Legislation on hereditary diseases in the prevention of cruelty to animals act in Jan 2008. Breeders must adhere to certain guidelines when breeding and must inform prior to purchase potential buyers of their pups potential status or in the case of two affecteds being mated must test pups and make available copies of results to new owners. Those breeders registered under the Vic Dogs Association who are breeding within their guidelines are adhering to the regulations.
PRA refers to a group of diseases that cause the retina of the eye to degenerate slowly over time. The result is declining vision and eventual blindness."prcd" stands for progressive rod cone degeneration, which is the tupe of PRA known in several breeds including Labrador Retrievers.
Labs have a fairly small incidence of this condition however as there is a genetic test available for breeders to test their animals there is no reason for breeders to take the risk of producing affected pups.
The following comes from one of the companys rsponsible for testing in Australia ( Genetic Technologies Group)
" The frequencies of normal/clear , carrier & affected among Optigen tested Labs.......statistics to date show 76% of tested Labs are Normal/clear, 21% are carriers and 3% are affected" (http://www.optigen.com/opt9_predpramutation.html)
This condition is a recessive trait so both parents must carry an affected gene for any of their young to have the disease.
A "normal / clear" dog has no affected gene and cannot develop or pass on the disease
An "affected" dog has two affected genes and will have the condition and will pass an affected gene to every offspring.
A "carrier" dog has one affected gene, it will NOT have the disease but will have passed on a clear gene to half its offspring and an affected gene to the other half of its offspring - unless the other parent carries the affected gene pups will be unaffected.
Pups from two clear parents cannot inherit the disease as either affected or carrier.
Pups from one clear parent and one carrier parent cannot develop the disease and will be either clear or carriers ( ratio statiscally 50% clear, 50% carrier). These pups will require testing only if breeding from them in later life so as to know their gene status so an appropriate choice of mate may be made.
Pups from two carrier parents will be possibly clear, carrier or affected ( ratio statiscally 25% clear, 50% carrier and 25% affected) These pups should be tested between 6-8 weeks of age to determine individual status, such matings should not be done.
As a result of Victorian Government Legislation on hereditary diseases in the prevention of cruelty to animals act in Jan 2008. Breeders must adhere to certain guidelines when breeding and must inform prior to purchase potential buyers of their pups potential status or in the case of two affecteds being mated must test pups and make available copies of results to new owners. Those breeders registered under the Vic Dogs Association who are breeding within their guidelines are adhering to the regulations.