Health Clearances

Breeders often describe their dogs as “hip, elbow, eye, and heart certified” or as having “all of their clearances,” and these statements can usually be verified on the website of the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals: OFA.org.

Records can be accessed by searching using the dog’s full registered name, exact spelling, or registration number.

Some diseases or abnormalities are genetic, and some are multifactorial, meaning they involve or depend on several causes. Joint disease is considered multifactorial, but the chance of producing normal offspring is significantly increased by choosing parents that have been appropriately screened. Risk can never be zero, but health testing offers the best opportunity that your puppy will not develop these genetic diseases.

Genetic diseases are more straightforward. A dog may be rated: Clear, Carrier, or Affected by genetic disorders.

• “Clear” means the dog possesses no copies of the mutant gene for a disease; it will never have the condition or pass it on to its offspring. Puppies are considered “clear by parentage” for any genetic disease (EIC, CNM, PRA-prcd, RD/OSD, DM) when both parents are clear for that same congenital disease.
• “Carrier” means the dog possesses one copy of the mutant gene and one copy of the normal gene; the dog does not have and will not develop the disease; it should be bred only to dogs clear of the same disease to prevent producing dogs affected by the disease; if bred to another carrier 25% of the puppies will be expected to be affected by the disease, 50% of the puppies will be carriers; if bred to an affected dog, 50% of the puppies will be expected to be affected by the diseases and 50% carriers. Puppies from carrier breeding can be tested to determine which ones are clear and which are carrier
• “Affected” means the dog possesses two copies of the mutant gene; it will have the disease/ be affected by the disease in its lifetime. Affected dogs should only be bred to clear dogs to ensure they produce no affected dogs, but all puppies produced in such a mating would be carriers of the disease. If bred to a carrier or affected dog of the same disease, affected puppies will be produced.  Affected dogs are never included in the Country Labs breeding program.

Although elbow dysplasia is primarily inherited and is believed to be influenced by multiple genes, Labradors cannot be “normal/good by parentage” for elbows.    Like hip dysplasia, many affected dogs have no symptoms, yet can pass more serious versions to their offspring, so testing is vitally important. Dogs must be 24 months of age to receive final elbow certification, and screening elbow x-rays are submitted to the OFA for diagnostic evaluation. Dogs who pass an OFA elbow evaluation are rated Normal. All other ratings are dysplastic.

Labradors with elbow dysplasia should not be bred, although many lead happy lives as pets. Depending on the severity, dogs with the symptomatic disease may be managed by weight control, dietary supplements, medication, or surgery. Country Labs never breeds dogs with known elbow dysplasia.

Labradors cannot be “normal/clear by parentage” for eyes. An annual examination by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist is recommended for the lifetime of any dog that has been bred because hereditary eye problems can develop at varying ages. Eye exams should be certified by the Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER) of the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), valid for 12 months from the examination date.

Dogs are rated as normal, breeder option, or non-passing. A normal rating means the eye was determined not to have obvious issues. A breeder option rating means there is a condition in the dog’s eye, but it does not represent a potential compromise of vision or other ocular functions. It is considered passing, and the dog will be given a certification number. A non-passing rating means the eye was considered impaired, and the condition present is known to be heritable; this dog will not receive a certification number.

This exam only identifies observable eye abnormalities and will not be able to determine if a dog with a discernible normal eye is a carrier of genetic diseases that will cause eye abnormalities if bred to another carrier dog or affected dog of the same genetic disease.  Country Labs never breeds dogs with known eye disease.

A small percentage of Labradors are affected with a hereditary heart disease called subvalvular aortic stenosis. While this is not common in the breed, it can be severe, so all prospective breeding dogs should be examined over the age of 12 months by a board-certified veterinary cardiologist. If a murmur is detected through auscultation (listening with a stethoscope), additional diagnostic tests are available and may be recommended. Dogs are given a passing or non-passing score; non-passing includes grades of severity of cardiac murmurs from Grades 1 to 6. Normal cardiac exams can be certified by the OFA.  Country Labs never breeds dogs with hereditary heart disease.

Hip dysplasia is the abnormal formation of the “ball-and-socket” hip joint and occurs in many breeds, particularly larger dogs like Labradors. It is primarily inherited, and development is believed to be influenced by multiple genes. However, the risk and severity of hip dysplasia may also be increased by environmental factors such as early overfeeding that leads to rapid growth during puppyhood, neutering before maturity, and possibly certain types of exercise.

Signs of hip dysplasia cannot be detected in very young puppies, but often appear between four and twelve months of age. Symptoms can vary widely from mild stiffness after exercise to severe lameness. Improvement or even resolution of symptoms can occur as the dog matures and muscles stabilize the joint; however, dysplastic dogs usually develop some degree of arthritis and discomfort later in life.

Dogs cannot be “normal/good by parentage” for hips. Just because the parents have hip clearances doesn’t guarantee that the offspring do not have hip dysplasia. However, evaluations help breeders choose the healthiest dogs and should be done for every dog considered for breeding. For certification, dogs must be at least 24 months of age, and hip X-rays must be sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). Passing hip scores are Excellent, Good, and Fair. Only dogs with excellent or good hip scores are included in Country Labs’ breeding program.

Centronuclear Myopathy is an inherited progressive muscle disease affecting Labrador Retrievers. Though the severity of symptoms is variable, affected dogs typically present between 6 weeks to 7 months of age with exercise intolerance, awkward gait, and difficulty eating. As the disease progresses, symptoms also include generalized muscle atrophy, downward flexion of the head and neck, low muscle tone, and more frequent episodes of collapse when exposed to cold temperatures. Progression of the disease tends to stabilize around one year of age, and dogs typically have an average life span. Affected dogs usually have lifelong medical problems due to underlying muscle disease.

Dogs are classified as CNM Clear, Carrier, or Affected. Clear and carrier dogs will never show symptoms. Affected dogs will have symptoms. Country Labs never breeds dogs that are CNM affected.

Degenerative Myelopathy is an inherited neurologic disorder caused by a gene known to be carried by Labrador Retrievers. This mutation is found in many breeds of dogs, though it is unclear for Labrador Retrievers whether all dogs carrying two copies of the mutation will develop the disease.

The variable presentation between breeds suggests that environmental or other genetic factors are responsible for modifying disease expression. The average age of onset for dogs with degenerative myelopathy is approximately nine years. The disease affects the spinal cord and is considered the canine equivalent to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease) found in humans. Affected dogs usually present in adulthood with gradual muscle atrophy and loss of coordination, typically beginning in the hind limbs due to degeneration of the nerves. The condition generally is not painful for the dog but will progress until the dog can no longer walk.

Dogs are classified as Clear, Carrier, or At Risk. Dogs at risk will likely develop symptoms in their lifetime, but the severity may vary. The tests used were not specifically designed for the Labrador breed, so there has been some discussion on the test’s reliability. Country Labs only breeds dogs with a Clear rating.

This is an evaluation of the dog’s teeth to determine if all teeth are present. There is thought to be a familial link with missing teeth. The dog’s teeth are examined by a veterinarian, who then fills out a form documenting the condition/presence of the dog’s teeth.  Your new puppy will happily demonstrate how Country Labs breeds for a complete set of (sharp) teeth!

This is a genetic component of coat color. The accepted stance of the AKC, which determines the breed standard, is that dogs carrying or expressing the dilute gene are not purebred Labrador Retrievers. Dogs are classified as Clear, Carrier, or Affected. Carrier dogs will be of normal coat color but can produce affected puppies if bred to another carrier or affected dog. Affected dogs will exhibit a coat color and pigment contrary to the AKC standard. Country Labs does not breed so-called rare colors, specifically: silver, charcoal, or champagne.

Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) is an inherited neuromuscular disorder affecting Labrador Retrievers. EIC presents as exercise intolerance in apparently healthy dogs. Affected dogs are usually diagnosed before two years of age and appear normal during low to moderately strenuous activity. However, after 5-20 minutes of strenuous exercise, affected dogs will begin to walk with a wobbly, uncoordinated gait that often only affects the hind limbs. Dogs remain mentally alert and are not in pain during episodes of EIC. In some circumstances, the symptoms of EIC can progress to total body weakness with low muscle tone (flaccid paralysis), confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, and, very rarely, death. The episodes typically last 5-10 minutes, and most dogs will completely recover within 15-30 minutes.

Dogs are classified as EIC Clear, Carrier, or Affected. Clear and carrier dogs will never show symptoms. Affected dogs will have symptoms. In order not to produce more puppies affected by EIC, clear can be bred to clear, carrier, or affected; carrier can be bred to clear; affected can be bred to clear.  It’s important to understand that if you see “Carrier” for EIC in a dog’s list of health clearances, this does not mean your puppy will have the disease.  Country Labs breeds specifically to produce genetically sound dogs.

Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis is an inherited disease that can cause an overgrowth of keratin cells affecting the nose of Labrador Retrievers.  Beginning around 6 to 12 months of age, affected dogs develop dry, rough, gray to brown crusts and rarely painful cracks on the tip of the nose. In some cases, lesions are also on the nose’s hair area. The noses of affected dogs are prone to superficial bacterial infections and often become depigmented over time. Affected dogs are otherwise healthy. Symptoms often wax and wane in severity over the dog’s life. Though manageable, this disorder requires continuous topical therapy to prevent the recurrence of excessive nasal crusting.

Dogs are classified as Clear, Carrier, or Affected. Clear and carrier dogs will never show symptoms. Affected dogs will often have some symptoms related the cystinuria. Country Labs never includes affected dogs in breeding.

Progressive retinal Atrophy, progressive rod-cone degeneration (PRA-prcd) is a late onset, an inherited eye disease affecting Labrador Retrievers. PRA-prcd occurs due to the degeneration of the retina’s rod and cone-type photoreceptor cells. The rod-type cells are affected first, and affected dogs will initially have vision deficits in dim light (night blindness) and loss of peripheral vision. Over time affected dogs continue to lose night vision and show visual deficits in bright light.

Dogs affected with PRA may not show symptoms until their later years and could have been bred before it was diagnosed. The CERF exam cannot alone be relied upon to diagnose dogs with PRA-prcd and will never be able to identify carriers. This is the reason it is so important to test for PRA-prcd genetically. Dogs are classified as PRA-prcd Clear, Carrier, or Affected. Clear and carrier dogs will never show symptoms. Affected dogs will have symptoms. Country Labs never breeds dogs with affected eye disease of any kind.

This inherited collagen disorder in Labrador Retrievers causes impaired vision and dwarfism, among other abnormalities, and may be apparent as early as 4 to 6 weeks of age in affected puppies. Dwarfism is characterized by shortened forelimbs that become curved as the dog grows. In puppies, the top of the head may be noticeably dome-shaped compared to littermates. A range of eye abnormalities is visible on a veterinary eye exam, of which retinal detachment and cataracts are the most common.

Dogs are classified as RD/OSD Clear, Carrier, or Affected. Clear dogs will never show symptoms. Carrier dogs may, but not always, exhibit mild retinal folds visible during a CERF exam; they will have no other signs of RD/OSD. Affected dogs will have symptoms. Country Labs never breeds affected dogs.