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Responsible Breeding
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Some people may not realize it, but a lot of work goes into breeding dogs responsibly/reputably. It is not because
responsible/reputable breeders are snobs that they recommend that breeding stock should have titles and breed
specific health clearances and then ask more money for their puppies and place "strings" attached. It is because
they care about their chosen breed's related health issues and the quality of dogs that represent their breed (even
as pets!) as well as their puppies and the role they play in the pet overpopulation problem.
Sadly, Backyard Breeders (or BYBs) and Puppy Mills (PMs) do not health test their dogs. Often, they breed for
various reasons which have nothing to do with improving the breed (i.e. dog is a "great" dog, want the kids to
experience the "miracle of birth", etc.). Also, the puppies sold in this manner usually have a "tail warranty":
meaning, once the seller can no longer see the tail of the dog or puppy, they no longer take responsibility for it in
any way, shape, or form. This is not to say BYBs are bad people. Most are simply not properly educated in
responsible breeding practices.
If you are thinking about taking on the challenge of breeding your dog, please research your chosen breed's
written standard and known health issues. Also, you should have your breeding stock evaluated by someone who
is reputable and respected within your breed. "Kennel Blindness" can lead you down a very dangerous path. To
help, here are some links with articles to read and heavily consider before taking on such a daunting task:
The American Kennel Club (AKC) Breeder Resource Center
The United Kennel Club (UKC) Breeder's Corner
In addition, one of the best links we have found to describe the difference between responsible/reputable breeders
and BYBs/PMs is below. Keep in mind that not all breeders are the same or do everything the same way, and not
all will fit the responsible/reputable category to a "T", but will indeed have more of those characteristics than the
ones listed in the BYB/PM category.
Responsible vs. Backyard Breeders
Also check out: A Veterinarian's View of Purebred Dogs
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~Labrador Breed Specific Health Tests~
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~Bare Minimum~
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~Optional (But Highly Recommended)~
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- Hips- certified through either OFA, PennHIP, Wind
-Morgan, or other certifiable health registry
- Elbows- certified through either OFA or other
certifiable health registry
- Eyes- examined and certified against PRA yearly
by either CERF or other ACVO registry
- CNM- Centronuclear Myopathy, or more
commonly known as Labrador Myopathy, is a
debilitating disease in which fat cells replace
muscle cells and renders the dog's muscles
unable to function properly. There is currently no
cure or treatment, and it has been known to affect
both field and show Labrador lines- any breeder
that tells you different is misleading you. Learn
more at:Labrador CNM
- EIC- Exercise Induced Collapse, a very serious
condition which is pretty much as its name
describes- a dog who collapses when put in
stressful situations. The level of stress it takes
for the dog to collapse varies per dog. For some,
it is so little as to become excited during play or
walking. There currently is no cure or treatment,
and it also has been known to affect both field
and show Labrador lines- and again, any breeder
who tells you different is misleading you. A
genetic (DNA) test has been formulated. Learn
more at: UMN-VDL EIC Submission
*Please Note: CNM and EIC have very similar
symptoms but have two totally different causes.
EIC is a condition of the nervous/neurological
system. It ultimately affects messages sent from
the brain to the rest of the body. CNM affects the
dog's muscles directly. If you're dog is collapsing
and you think it might be due to either CNM or
EIC, please consider testing for both and not just
one or the other. The information gathered could
be invaluable to not only you, but to researchers
who are working diligently on learning more about
these devastating conditions.
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- prcd PRA- OptiGen, InGen, or other comparable
genetic (DNA) test for prcd PRA
- Thyroid- certified through OFA or other
certifiable health registry
- Cardiac- certified through OFA or other
certifiable health registry
- Coat Color- a genetic (DNA) test certified
through either VetGen, HealthGene, VDC
(Veterinary Diagnostic Center) or other
comparable registry. Why coat color? Knowing
all the coat colors a dog carries lessens the
chances of producing undesirable colors- such as
a "Dudley" (or yellow with No Black Pigment, or
NBP).
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~One Breed, Three Colors~
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Often, we hear and see people refer to "Golden Labs", "White Labs", "Red Labs", "Silver Labs".
Labrador Retrievers come in 3 colors: Black, Yellow, and Chocolate. Black is black. However, Yellow and
Chocolate can vary. It is acceptable for Yellows to range from very light cream (often called "White" by BYBs and
PMs for marketing purposes) to fox red (often called "Red" for the same reason as "Whites"). So, in essence,
"Whites" and "Reds" are only Yellow Labradors and are not, in any way, "rare" or "special" as some would have you
believe. Breeding for these extreme colors only is unethical at best. Chocolates can range from light to dark- light
being more of a milk chocolate color and dark that of a dark chocolate or mocha color (almost black at times).
"Silver" is NOT a shade of Chocolate, nor is it a dilute- same goes with "Charcoal" and Black. It also is not a shade
of Sedge or Deadgrass- both of which are very distinct colors of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. None of these
colors could ever be confused with "Silver". Any breeder who markets "Silver" by describing it as a shade of
another color is being deceptive and unethical.
However, nowhere does it say anything about "Silver" or "Golden" in the Labrador breed standard. Why? The
short answer is they aren't acceptable colors; the reason being that dogs marketed as these "colors" are not
purebred Labradors. "Golden Labs" are Golden Retriever/Labrador Retriever mixes and "Silver Labs" are
Weimaraner/Labrador Retriever mixes- even if the "breeder" can show a pedigree with the most recent generations
being of Labrador descent. Having said all this, we realize that most folks are simply referring to Yellow Labs when
they say "Golden". However, if a "breeder" is not even educated enough to indicate color accurately, do you really
want to buy a dog (who will hopefully be a treasured member of your family for many years) from this person?
Here is the LRC's stance on the following issues:
"Silver" Labradors
Pointing Labradors
Labradoodles
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