Genetic Testing
Genetic testing is an intricate part of our breeding program. Genetic testing is the only way to identify whether every Labrador in our breeding program is free of genetic diseases. This kind of testing can provide advantages over traditional techniques such as pedigree analysis and help breeders to develop proactive, sustainable breeding programs. Additionally, disease test results are accepted by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) listing.
As a puppy buyer: You want a puppy that will lead a long, healthy life you want to ensure the puppy's parents are not affected by the most common diseases of the breed. The only way to ensure the parent's are not affected is for them to have health clearances for these common diseases
For genetic diseases a dog is rated: clear, carrier, or affected.
"Clear" means the dog posses no copies of the mutant gene for a disease; it will never have the disease or pass the disease on to its offspring.
"Carrier" means the dog posses 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."
"Affected" means the dog posses 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" dog's 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.
Dogs/Puppies can be considered "clear by parentage" for genetic diseases (EIC, CNM, PRA-prcd, RD/OSD, cystinuria, DM) if both parents were "clear" for a genetic disease. It is best to ask for copies of the clearances of both parents so that if you are asked in the future if your dog is clear by parentage, you can produce the certificates of the parents as proof.
As a puppy buyer: You want a puppy that will lead a long, healthy life you want to ensure the puppy's parents are not affected by the most common diseases of the breed. The only way to ensure the parent's are not affected is for them to have health clearances for these common diseases
For genetic diseases a dog is rated: clear, carrier, or affected.
"Clear" means the dog posses no copies of the mutant gene for a disease; it will never have the disease or pass the disease on to its offspring.
"Carrier" means the dog posses 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."
"Affected" means the dog posses 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" dog's 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.
Dogs/Puppies can be considered "clear by parentage" for genetic diseases (EIC, CNM, PRA-prcd, RD/OSD, cystinuria, DM) if both parents were "clear" for a genetic disease. It is best to ask for copies of the clearances of both parents so that if you are asked in the future if your dog is clear by parentage, you can produce the certificates of the parents as proof.
OFA Hips: This tests for hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a condition which causes abnormal changes to the hip joint, often causing lameness and pain. Hip dysplasia can be mild enough that the dog shows no lameness or can be so severe the dog limps and requires medications to control pain. Hip evaluations should be done for every breeding dog. Just because a dog's parents have hip clearances doesn't mean that dog does not have hip dysplasia. Dogs cannot be "normal/good by parentage" for hips. Hip evaluations determine if a dog's hips are normal or dysplastic. Normal/Passing OFA hip scores are Excellent, Good, and Fair. Only dogs with passing OFA hip scores should be bred. Failing OFA hip scores are: Borderline, Mild, Moderate, and Severe.
PENN Hip: PennHIP is a multifaceted radiographic screening method for hip evaluation. The technique assesses the quality of the canine hip and quantitatively measures canine hip joint laxity. The PennHIP method of evaluation is more accurate than OFA which is the current standard in its ability to predict the onset of osteoarthritis
OFA Elbows: This tests for elbow dysplasia. There are various types and severity of elbow dysplasias, all of which can cause lameness of varying degrees. Dogs who pass an OFA elbow evaluation are rated Normal. All other ratings are dysplastic. Dogs with elbow dysplasia can lead fairly normal life never showing lameness; however some will be severely lame and may worsen as they age. Dogs cannot be "normal/good by parentage" for elbows.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd c.5G>A) causes degeneration of both rod and cone photoreceptor cells of the retina. Affected dogs initially experience night blindness and loss of peripheral vision around 3-5 years of age. As it progresses, complete blindness will occur.
- CNM: Centronuclear Myopathy is a recessive disorder and is characterized by weight loss, awkward gait and exercise intolerance
- Cystinuria is a metabolic disorder that causes cystine stones to form in the kidney, ureter and bladder
- DM: Degenerative Myelopathy is a degenerative disease of the spinal cord, characterized by muscle weakness in the hind limbs eventually leading to paraplegia
- EIC: Exercise Induced Collapse Clinically-affected dogs often begin to exhibit leg weakness followed by a complete collapse after just 5 to 15 minutes of strenuous activity
- HNPK: Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis Affected dogs will develop dry, rough crusts on the tip of the nose. In extreme cases, the dog’s nose will crack causing severe discomfort
