Fairfax Pines English Labradors
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Ear Treatments - DIY
The in's ands out's of female pups
Who Does Health Testing and Why?

Responsible breeders test their dogs for diseases that are known to be hereditary prior to arranging a mating. Each breed is 
prone to a certain number of hereditary illnesses - but by ensuring only healthy, certified animals are bred, breeders can 
reduce or eliminate hereditary problems, and greatly increase the odds that their puppies live long happy lives.

Interested puppy buyers should ensure that the breeders they select are performing all necessary health tests suitable for 
their breed - this gives you the best possible chance for a healthy pup.   This page contains information on testing and 
clearances that all  Labradors should have done prior to being bred.

Health Tests for Labrador Retrievers

According to the Canine Health Information Centre, all Labrador Retrievers being used in a breeding program should have their
hips and elbows tested for dysplasia and their eyes checked against genetic defect. Tests for CNM and EIC are also listed. 
They are new tests, but they are considered mandatory among reputable breeders. Keep reading for detailed information 
on each test.


Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia is found in every breed or combination of breeds. There are several genes involved in the makeup of hip 
dysplasia, and there are also environmental factors that can contribute. These include poor nutrition, injury, and obesity.

Breeders can help to reduce hip dysplasia in Labrador Retrievers by performing X-rays on adult dogs  prior to breeding, and 
having those x-rays evaluated by a professional. Certifying bodies include the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals -OFA (this is
the most common), PennHip, Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) or Western College of Veterinary Medicine. Dogs who have been certified will receive a certificate and an identifying number. Only dogs rated Excellent, Good  or Fair should be bred. Ask to see the certificate or check online to confirm that the parent dogs of your litter have been certified. *** While a regular veterinarian can take the X-rays, the actual evaluation is done by certified specialists listed above. A general vet checkup is not sufficient to determine hip status since many dogs are dysplastic without showing any symptoms. ***


Elbow Dysplasia

Elbow Dysplasia is similar to Hip Dysplasia in that it is caused by several genes and environmental factors. If elbow dyslpasia is
present in a dog, they may present lameness in either one or both elbows of the front leg and can be severely  hampered by 
arthritis as they age. The odds of producing a puppy with elbow dysplasia can be reduced by breeding only dogs with certified 
Normal elbows. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals evaluates x-rays of each elbow and will grade them either Normal  or 
Dysplastic. This can also be done, as with hips, by OVC or WCVM.  Ask your breeder to see certification or check the 
certificate's number online to verify that parent dogs have been tested for this disease.


Eye Problems

There are several types of genetic eye diseases in Labs. In fact, most breeds have some sort of genetic eye disease such as 
Progressive Retinal Atrophy. Eye problems can vary in nature but in the worst cases dogs will end up permanently blind. 
Breeding dogs should have their eyes examined by a board-certified opthamologist for signs of eye problems prior to breeding.


There are also specific DNA tests for certain eye problems, such as the prcd form of PRA.   DNA tests for 
prcd-PRA, and RD/OSD (retinal dysplasia, which is linked to dwarfism aka ocular skeletal disorder) are done by Optigen and 
there is currently no online verification for these reports. Be sure to ask to see a copy of the test results. ***pcrd-PRA and RD/OSD are 100% preventable with testing. At least one parent must
be certified clear of these diseases.***


Centro Nuclear Myopathy (CNM)

CNM is a devastating disease that causes the affected puppy to lose muscle mass, coordination, and it is terminal. It is heart 
breaking to watch a CNM puppy struggle to survive. CNM is a disease that is caused by the mutation of one gene. In order to be
affected, a dog needs two copies of the gene  (one inherited from each parent.) Dogs who have one copy of the gene will not 
show symptoms of the disease but may pass a 'bad gene' onto their offspring, which off course is dangerous if the other 
parent dog does the same. Only combinations of dogs who will not create affected puppies should be bred. That means that at 
least one parent dog  should be tested as "clear".  


Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC)

Exercise-Induced Collapse is a disease of retrievers that causes them to collapse when they are over excited. Occasionally 
these collapses can lead to death. EIC is inherited in the exact same way that CNM is passed along -the puppy needs to get one
"bad gene"' from each parent in order to be affected with this disease. It is important to note that in the case of both EIC and 
CNM, parent dogs who are carriers (with only one bad gene) will NOT show symptoms of the disease - but if bred to another 
carrier dog, they can produced diseased puppies. Therefore, even dogs with no symptoms should be tested to be on the safe 
side.

Breedings where at least one of the parents are Clear of the disease will have 0% chance of producing diseased puppies.  Do 
not buy a puppy from a breeder who hasn't done this clearance - this disease is completely preventable!  (NOTE: "Carrier" 
puppies are considered healthy because they can not show symptoms of the disease, and it is safe to purchase a known 
carrier puppy.)

EIC testing is done at a laboratory in Minnesota (Click HERE to be directed to their site). Cheek swabs are taken by your vet and 
sent to the testing lab.   Dogs who are "Clear" of the disease are rated as 'normal' and are issued a certificate and clearance 
number by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.


Health Guarantees

Currently, the ability to prevent genetic issues is limited to the above tests. In the case of hip and elbow dyspslasia, and some 
types of eye diseases, environmental and nutritional factors play a role so occurrences of these diseases is not 100% 
preventable
. It is certainly possible that there are other inheritable diseases in Labrador Retrievers as well, although the above 
are considered to be the most commonly  occurring. As more tests become available, responsible breeders will add them to 
their pre-breeding checklist to ensure only the healthiest puppies are born.

A health guarantee (or, more accurately - a warranty)  is a service to the puppy buyer. No one can really 'guarantee' that a 
puppy will be completely healthy, but a breeder can use a written guarantee as a way of saying "I stand behind the dogs I 
breed."  For this reason, guarantees will vary in length and coverage. If the parent dogs have been screened for the major 
health concerns discussed above (hips, elbows, eyes, prcd-PRA, EIC and CNM) that is the REAL guarantee that the 
breeder is doing their best to provide healthy puppies to their buyers.

A health guarantee from a breeder who does not actually do health testing described above is NOT WORTH THE PAPER IT IS 
WRITTEN ON. You should expect that any type of health guarantee issued will be presented in writing along with the purchase 
contract at the time of sale.  A GUARANTEE DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE PARENTS HAVE BEEN TESTED, and a LACK OF
GUARANTEE DOES NOT MEAN THAT TESTING HASN'T BEEN DONE.

Our breeding stock are completely health tested before a breeding is planned. We also provide a 26  month health guarantee
spelling out what is covered and what you should do to keep your dog  healthy.

The Genes

Autosomal Recessive Diseases are 100% preventable with testing. When you are shopping for a Lab puppy, 
you should ensure that at least one parent is tested clear for the following diseases.

1) Exercise Induced Collapse

2) Centronuclear Myopathy

3) Prcd form of Progressive Retinal Atrophy

IF ONE PARENT IS TESTED CLEAR, THE PUPPIES CAN NOT BE AFFECTED BY THESE DISEASES.

Remember, carrier dogs are healthy, and there is no reason to avoid buying a carrier puppy. However, just 
because the parent dogs appear healthy on the outside is no reason to skip doing DNA testing, because they 
could be carriers.... breeding two carriers together can create diseased (affected) puppies... and that is what 
we are trying to avoid. As long as one parent is tested clear, there is no danger of ever producing an affected 
puppy. The DNA tests listed above provide complete assurance against producing affected puppies but you 
should feel free to ask a breeder for verification that these tests have been done. A good breeder will be happy 
that you asked and will be quick to show you documentation.
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  • Home
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  • How to Get A Puppy
  • Availability
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  • Our Facilities
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  • New Family Portal
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  • Loved By Others
    • CH Secret
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