Aristes'
Labrador
Retrievers
Labrador
Retriever
Health Clearances & Breed Standard
Before
you purchase a Labrador Retriever puppy,
please take the time to familiarize yourself with the Labrador
breed, the breed standard, and genetic problems associated with
the breed.
About
Health Clearances
Many
“Labrador Retriever breeders”
claim to be breeding to improve the breed. However, they do not have
the appropriate health clearances for their breeding stock. When considering
a Labrador puppy, the sire and dam should
each have the following clearances:
Hips:
Hips should be rated at least fair. A rating of good or excellent is
preferred. Hips rated by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
are listed on the OFA website. You can search by the dog’s registration
number or registered name. Don’t take a breeder’s word that
a dog’s hips passed OFA. Ask for a copy of the certificate or
search the website yourself.
Elbows:
Dogs whose elbows have been evaluated by OFA should be rated as normal.
Eyes:
CERF: Eye examinations should be done annually. The examination checks
or cataracts and inherited eye disease, including Progressive Retinal
Atrophy (PRA) and Retinal Dysplasia. Labrador
Dogs should have a current Canine Eye Registration Foundation
(CERF) clearance. Ask for a copy or search the CERF website.
Optigen:
PRA is a genetic problem in Labrador Retrievers
and causes blindness in affected dogs. Optigen has a test for the prcd
form of PRA. The test identifies dogs as clear, carrier or affected.
Before purchasing a Labrador puppy you
need to ensure that at least the sire or the dam is clear. A carrier
bred to a carrier or an affected dog bred to a carrier will produce
puppies with PRA. The puppies are not blind at birth. Blindness will
occur after the guarantee offered by many “breeders” expires,
usually around the age of 4-5 years of age, but sometimes as late as
6-8 years of age.
Heart:
Labrador Retrievers have a genetic predisposition
to Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia. The sire and dam should each have a heart
clearance. If only one parent is not checked and has a problem, and
entire litter may be affected. A clearance by echo Doppler is preferred;
however, clearances by a specialist or a cardiologist are acceptable.
Exercise
Induced Collapse (EIC): Studies regarding EIC in Labrador
Retrievers have identified a marker for a genetic test. As with
PRA, you need to ensure that at least the sire or the dam is rated EIC
clear.
No
one can guarantee that a Labrador puppy
will never have a problem. A reputable breeder of Labrador
Retrievers will ensure that all breeding stock is screened using
the most current methods available to make sure puppies will be free
from genetic problems. Of course, heredity and environment each play
a role in the overall health of a puppy. Proper nutrition and exercise
are extremely important to a puppy’s health. A reputable breeder
will give you guidance to ensure your puppy has a healthy, happy and
long life.
About
Labrador Retriever Breed Standard
The
Breed Standard for the Labrador Retriever
is available on the AKC website at akc.org Please be aware that
some “breeders” claim to be breeding AKC registered white,
silver, chocolate and tan or black and tan Labradors. Labrador
retrievers come in three recognized colors: black, yellow and
chocolate. The breed standard allows for a small amount of white on
the chest; however, it is considered undesirable. Yellow
Labradors range in color from a very pale or cream color to fox
red. AKC does not recognize white, silver or multi-colored
Labradors.
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