Health Testing

Minimum requirements for litter registration

Hip and Elbow Scores

To register a litter with Dogs Victoria, the sire (father) and dam (mother) must have their hips and elbows scored by an ANKC approved reader and procedures need to be followed by both the owner and the Veterinary Surgeon.

Canine Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Scheme (CHEDS) is administered by the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC)
Elbow scores explained
Officially Registered Canine Health Information Database (ORCHID)

Minimum breeding age

The ANKC has imposed litter registration limitations (LRLs) for Labrador Retrievers. see the ANKC regulations under Section 6.2.10 – The Register and Registration.

Minimum breeding age for bitches is 18 months

Some of the health clearances done by breeders on their breeding dogs and bitches

Eye Examination

Current eye check: Normal

To be considered current, the examination must be performed in the last 12 months (18 months for those that have obtained a DNA clear result for PRA-PRCD)

Australian Canine Eye Scheme (ACES) is a national assessment system for registered dog breeds that offers a reliable screening service for a range of congenital and inherited eye conditions. Eye assessments are carried out by registered veterinary eye specialists.

DNA Tests

PRA-PRCD- Progressive Retinal Atrophy - Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration
EIC - Exercise Induced Collapse
HNPK - Hereditary nasal parakeratosis
Coat colour - there are only three recognised coat colours for registration: Black, Yellow & Chocolate/Liver. Purebred Labrador Retrievers do not carry the dilute gene. Read: NLRBC Position Statement on Silver Labrador s

Heart Screening

Cardiac Test by a veterinary cardiac specialist (read about Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia)