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Health & Diet Information
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Labradors suffer from three main health problems: hip dysplasia, obesity, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA).
Labradors, like many large dog breeds, are prone to hip dysplasia, a malformation of the hip joint that ranges from mild to severe. Hip dysplasia is a serious disorder and can cause such pain that major (and expensive!) surgery can become necessary. Please note that reputable breeders screen their breeding stock to minimize the prevalence of hip dysplasia. This is done through x-rays and subsequent scoring (by the Australian Veterinary Association) of the left and right hip and elbow joints at about 12 months of age. The lower the score, the better the formation of the hip or elbow joint, and the total score should be below the breed average to indicate quality breeding stock. Puppies from purebred (registered) parents cannot be registered with the ANKC unless the dam and sire have been hip/elbow scored. You should be able to see the hip/elbow score certificates of the dam and sire upon request. It is important to understand that such screening does not guarantee pups free of hip joint abnormalities, but it decreases the chances such problems will occur. The environment play a part in the problem by that I mean over exercising the pup and allowing it to jump before it is 12 months are some of the environment involvement.
To reduce the risk of obesity, we recommend a controlled, quality diet and regular exercise.
My dogs are feed on Purina Pro Plan Performance Formula. The second of the preventative measures is partly the responsibility of the breeder but primarily falls on the shoulders of the new puppy buyer. Here I am talking about management of the environmental factors influencing the expression of hip dysplasia. A puppy remains with the breeder until 8 weeks of age. Approximately half of this time the pup feeds exclusively from its mother. When the pup is weaned consideration should then be given to the type of food offered, the amount and how often offered. This is most important when considering the food given directly to the newly weaned pups. It is also important to consider the food given to the mother that goes indirectly to the pups via the mother’s milk prior to weaning.
The growth rate of puppies, that is dogs that are still not adult size, should be slow. Puppies should never be allowed to become fat. A lean dog is a healthy dog. The same goes for pups. Excessive weight, as in humans, leads to health problems in dogs. Growing bones and joints can be easily damaged. Pups should be housed with dogs of their own age and size to prevent any accidental injuries. Similarly, pups needs no more exercise than it imposes upon itself. Pups should not be taken on long lead walks until fully grown (12 months). Exercise during play is all a pup needs. Forced exercise is not only unnecessary but dangerous to a pup’s health.
My Breeding stock have all been Hip and Elbowed Scored and DNA Test Clear for Progressive Retinal Atrophy.(PRA).I only use dogs that have had their Hip and Elbows scored by the Australian Veterinary Association and have been DNA Test Clear for Progressive Retinal Atrophy.(PRA) meaning that the off spring will be clear by Parenthood
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