Buying a Labrador 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 & lameness
- BVA/KC scheme for elbow dysplasia (ED)
- abnormal formation of the elbow joint – pain & lameness
- BVA/KC screening for eye disease; full ophthalmological testing before breeding (includes checks for multiple diseases)
Other Diseases
No current health scheme or DNA test available.
- Osteoarthritis (sometimes related to HD & ED)
- joint pain, stiffness and/or lameness
- Cancer
- various types including soft tissue tumours
DNA Tests Relevant to Breed
- CNM – centronuclear myopathy
- muscular weakness and gradual paralysis
- PRA – progressive retinal atrophy
- gradual blindness
- HNPK – hypertrophic nasal parakeratosis
- cracked, dry nose
- EIC – exercise-induced collapse
- collapse after short exertion
- SD2 – skeletal dysplasia
- shortened legs
Other Tests
- None