Buying a Flatcoated Retriever Puppy
What to expect from a breeder who puts Health, Welfare and Temperament first.
Essential Documents
- Heath Certificates (both parents)
- Signed AWF Puppy Contract
- KC Registration Certificate (if applicable)
- Microchip Registration Certificate
- Temporary Pet Health Insurance
- Vaccination Certificate
A Good Breeder Will:
- have socialised and habituated the puppy
- provide a supply of food
- provide a blanket smelling of Mum
- follow the Code of Practice for Dog Breeding
Official Health Schemes
- BVA/KC scheme for hip dysplasia (HD)
- abnormal formation of the hip joint – pain and lameness
- BVA/KC scheme for elbow dysplasia (ED)
- abnormal formation of the elbow joint – pain and lameness
- BVA/KC screening for eye disease; full ophthalmological testing before breeding, to include gonioscopy (includes checks for multiple inherited diseases)
- gonioscopy tests for goniodysgenesis /PLA (pectinate ligament abnormality) which assesses a predisposition for primary glaucoma, a painful progressive eye disease leading to blindness. The BVA recommend gonioscopy is carried out every three years to assess for progression of PLA.
Other Diseases
No current health scheme or DNA test available.
- Arthritis
- |
- Cancers
- especially various sarcomas (tumours of soft tissue and bone)
- Patellar luxation
- slipping kneecap, increased risk of injury
DNA Tests Relevant to Breed
Researchers are currently investigating genetic markers for cancer in Flatcoats, which may lead to a DNA test in the future.
Other Tests
- Flatcoated Retriever Society scheme for patellar luxation