Health testing is one of the most important tools responsible breeders use to reduce the risk of inherited disease. Each evaluation provides valuable information about a dog's health, but no single test tells the whole story. Understanding what these screenings measure, what their limitations are, and how they work together is essential when evaluating a breeding program.
Health testing is one piece of responsible breeding, not the entire picture. Responsible breeders use health testing alongside temperament evaluations, structural assessments, pedigree research, and thoughtful breeding decisions to preserve and improve the Labrador Retriever for future generations.
Health Testing
Understanding the health screenings every Labrador Retriever breeder should complete
Did you know?
The Labrador Retriever Club recommends that breeding Labrador Retrievers complete the health testing required for a CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) number through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). These recommendations are widely recognized as the benchmark for responsible Labrador health testing. Understanding what each evaluation measures is just as important as knowing which tests should be completed.
Final OFA hip certification at 24 months of age or older.
Final OFA elbow certification at 24 months of age or older.
Annual CAER eye examination performed by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist.
Advanced Cardiac evaluation performed by a board-certified veterinary cardiologist.
DNA testing for inherited diseases relevant to Labrador Retrievers (such as EIC, CNM, PRA, and other breed-specific conditions).
Recommended Health Evaluations
At a Minimum, a Responsible Labrador Breeder Should Complete:
While preliminary OFA evaluations can provide useful information, they are not a substitute for final OFA certifications. Responsible breeders should obtain permanent OFA hip and elbow certifications at 24 months of age or older before breeding whenever possible. Final OFA hip and elbow certifications performed at 24 months or older remain the gold standard for breeding decisions. PennHIP provides different information about hip laxity and can be a valuable additional evaluation, but it should complement, not replace, comprehensive health testing.
Hip and elbow evaluations help breeders reduce the risk of inherited joint disease by identifying dogs with healthy joints before breeding.
While no test can guarantee healthy puppies, OFA certifications are one of the most important tools for making responsible breeding decisions and preserving the Labrador Retriever for future generations.
The cornerstone of orthopedic health screening
ofa hips & elbows
After reviewing a dog's hip radiographs, the OFA assigns one of seven ratings. Excellent, Good, and Fair are passing certifications. Borderline hips require reevaluation, while Mild, Moderate, and Severe Hip Dysplasia are considered failing results.
As a general guideline, responsible breeders should only breed dogs that have received passing OFA hip certifications (Excellent, Good, or Fair).
OFA Hip
ratings
Understanding OFA hip ratings
Like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia is an inherited orthopedic condition that responsible breeders work to reduce through thoughtful health testing. The OFA assigns one of four elbow ratings. Normal is the only passing certification, while Grade I, Grade II, and Grade III Elbow Dysplasia are considered failing results.
Responsible breeders should only breed dogs that have received a Normal OFA elbow certification.
OFA elbow ratings
Understanding OFA Elbow Ratings
Preliminary OFA evaluations allow breeders to assess a young dog's hips and elbows before 24 months of age. While these results are often predictive, they are not permanent certifications and may change as the dog finishes growing. Because Labrador Retrievers continue to mature well into adulthood, final certifications provide the most reliable assessment of long-term joint health.
Final OFA certifications are issued at 24 months of age or older and are considered the gold standard for making breeding decisions.
Final vs. Preliminary OFAs
Understanding the difference
PennHIP measures hip laxity, or how loosely the hip joint fits together. Unlike OFA, which evaluates the structure of the hip joint for signs of dysplasia, PennHIP estimates a dog's relative risk of developing osteoarthritis associated with hip dysplasia later in life.
Because PennHIP and OFA evaluate different aspects of hip health, some breeders choose to perform both evaluations to gather additional information before making breeding decisions.
PennHIP evaluations
Another tool for evaluating hip health
Orthopedic evaluations help breeders assess the health of a dog's joints, but they cannot identify every inherited condition. The next evaluations look beyond bones and joints, providing valuable insight into a dog's long-term eye and cardiac health.
Some inherited eye and heart conditions cannot be detected during a routine veterinary examination. Specialized evaluations help identify conditions that may affect a dog's long-term health or be passed to future generations, even when a dog appears healthy.
Eye and cardiac screenings provide another important layer of information when evaluating breeding dogs. Together with orthopedic and DNA testing, they help breeders make more informed breeding decisions and work toward producing healthier generations.
Looking beyond routine veterinary care
Eye & Cardiac Health
A CAER (Companion Animal Eye Registry) examination is performed by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist and recorded through OFA's CAER program. Some inherited eye diseases can affect vision, while others may not become apparent until later in life.
Annual CAER examinations help breeders evaluate breeding dogs using the most current information available when making breeding decisions.
CAER Eye Examinations
Protecting lifelong vision
A normal eye examination today does not guarantee normal eyes for life. Some inherited eye conditions develop as a dog ages, which is why the Labrador Retriever Club and OFA recommend annual CAER examinations while a dog remains in a breeding program.
Regular evaluations help ensure breeding decisions are based on the most current information available.
Why Annual Matters
Eye health can change over time
Some inherited heart conditions cannot be detected by listening to the heart alone. An advanced cardiac evaluation, including an echocardiogram (echo) performed by a board-certified veterinary cardiologist, uses ultrasound to evaluate the heart's structure and function. This allows abnormalities to be identified that may not be detected during a routine examination.
For Labrador Retrievers, the Labrador Retriever Club recommends advanced cardiac evaluations for breeding dogs at 12 months of age or older. These evaluations provide valuable information when making breeding decisions.
Advanced Cardiac Evaluation
Looking beyond a stethoscope
A basic cardiac examination is performed by a veterinarian using a stethoscope to listen for abnormalities such as heart murmurs. While this is an important part of every physical examination, it cannot identify every inherited heart condition.
An advanced cardiac evaluation provides a more comprehensive assessment of the heart. Because the two examinations provide different levels of information, the Labrador Retriever Club recommends an advanced cardiac evaluation for breeding Labrador Retrievers.
Basic vs. Advanced Cardiac
Understanding the difference
Physical health evaluations provide valuable information about a dog's joints, eyes, and heart, but they cannot identify every inherited condition. DNA testing adds another important piece of the puzzle by helping breeders understand which genetic variants a dog may carry before breeding decisions are made.
DNA testing identifies known inherited genetic variants that cannot be detected through physical examinations. It helps breeders understand what a dog may pass to future generations and make informed breeding decisions that reduce the risk of producing affected puppies.
DNA testing complements orthopedic, eye, and cardiac evaluations as part of a comprehensive health testing program.
Looking beyond what we can see.
Understanding DNA Testing
DNA test results help breeders understand how a genetic variant may be inherited. Most Labrador DNA tests classify dogs as Clear, Carrier, or At Risk, with each result providing different information for breeding decisions.
Understanding what these results mean helps breeders reduce the risk of producing affected puppies while preserving valuable genetic diversity within the Labrador Retriever breed.
Understanding DNA Results
Clear, Carrier & At Risk.
A Clear dog does not carry the tested genetic variant and cannot pass it to its puppies. Clear dogs can be bred without passing that specific variant to future generations.
While a Clear result is reassuring, it applies only to the specific condition being tested and should always be considered alongside the dog's other health testing results.
Understanding Clear
Does not carry the tested variant.
A Carrier has one copy of the tested genetic variant but is typically unaffected by the condition. Approximately half of its puppies may inherit the variant.
For many inherited Labrador conditions, carriers can be responsibly bred to Clear dogs without producing affected puppies, allowing breeders to protect both health and genetic diversity.
Understanding Carrier
Carries one copy of the tested variant.
An At Risk dog has two copies of the tested genetic variant and will pass one copy to every puppy it produces. Depending on the condition, these dogs may develop the associated disease or have an increased risk of developing it during their lifetime.
Responsible breeders use DNA results to avoid producing affected puppies whenever possible while making thoughtful, evidence-based breeding decisions.
Understanding At Risk
Carries two copies of the tested variant.
DNA results are only meaningful if you understand the conditions being tested. The following slides explain several of the most common inherited genetic conditions responsible Labrador breeders screen for in Labrador Retrievers.
You've probably seen abbreviations like EIC, PRA, CNM, HNPK, Copper Toxicosis, and Stargardt Disease listed on breeder websites. The following slides explain what these conditions are, how they affect Labrador Retrievers, and why responsible breeders screen for them before breeding.
What conditions should breeders be testing for
Common Labrador DNA Conditions
Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) is an inherited neurological condition that can cause weakness or collapse after strenuous exercise or intense excitement. Most affected dogs recover with rest, although severe episodes can occasionally be fatal.
Clinical signs usually begin in young adult dogs, while affected dogs often appear completely normal between episodes. Because the condition cannot be detected through a physical examination alone, DNA testing is an important tool for breeders.
Understanding EIC
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is an inherited eye disease that causes the gradual degeneration of the retina, eventually leading to progressive vision loss and blindness. Early signs often include difficulty seeing in low light or at night before vision continues to decline.
There is currently no cure, making responsible breeding the most effective way to reduce the occurrence of this disease.
Understanding PRA
Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM) is an inherited muscle disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness, reduced exercise tolerance, and difficulty walking. Clinical signs usually begin during puppyhood and gradually worsen as affected dogs mature.
Affected dogs may struggle with normal physical activity and often have difficulty building or maintaining muscle strength throughout life.
Understanding CNM
Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis (HNPK) is an inherited skin disorder that causes the nose to become dry, cracked, and crusted. The condition can be uncomfortable and may lead to secondary infections if left untreated.
Although it is not typically life-threatening, affected dogs often require lifelong management to keep the nose healthy and comfortable.
Understanding HNPK
Copper toxicosis is associated with genetic variants that can increase a Labrador Retriever's risk of storing excess copper in the liver. Over time, excessive copper accumulation may contribute to liver inflammation, chronic liver disease, or liver failure.
Unlike many inherited conditions, copper metabolism is influenced by multiple genetic and environmental factors, making it a more complex disease to evaluate and manage.
Understanding Copper Toxicosis
Stargardt disease is a recently identified inherited retinal disorder that damages the light-sensitive cells of the retina, resulting in progressive vision loss. Dogs may initially show subtle vision changes before the disease progresses over time.
Although uncommon, identifying the genetic variant helps breeders better understand the risk of passing the condition to future generations.
Understanding Stargardt Disease
Health testing is one of the most important tools responsible breeders have for reducing the risk of inherited disease, but no evaluation can predict every future health condition. Responsible breeding combines comprehensive health testing with sound temperament, proper structure, thoughtful pedigree research, and careful breeding decisions.
By using the best available scientific evidence, responsible breeders continue working toward healthier Labrador Retrievers for future generations.
Health Testing Is About Reducing Risk
No health test can guarantee a perfect puppy
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The Breeding Program
Sedey Family
"A loving and reputable breeder who cares."
Kind words from Our Happy families
It was our first time working with a breeder, and right from the start, Trisha put us at ease with her warm and caring approach. She kept us updated at every step of the adoption process, providing regular communication, and sending us adorable photos of Bosko. Her dedication and attentiveness made us feel confident and reassured throughout the journey. It was evident that she and her family genuinely loves the puppies as if they are their own, and that level of care and commitment was truly heartwarming. Since bringing Bosko home, we have been amazed by his incredible temperament. He is friendly, well-behaved, laid-back, and has adjusted seamlessly to our family.
Pence Family
"If you're looking for a special lab, look no further!"
Kind words from Our Happy families
Trish and Cory are so passionate about breeding labs! They spend so much time with them by the time Marshall was in our arms, he was conditioned to walk on all surfaces, he was fine on the car ride back to Indiana and actually enjoys rides. Trish and Cory also sent Marshall home with a blanket that smelled like his mommy and he loves it to this day, a bucket of toys, training help, homemade puppy treat recipes. The entire buying process was smooth sailing. I also wanted to add how wonderful their communication was. We talked almost daily and we were sent pictures of our baby boy. By the time we picked him up, we were already attached.
Norris Family
"We could not recommend them more!"
Kind words from Our Happy families
Since first connecting with Trish, she has gone above and beyond giving information about her process, providing updates, helping us with different home training tips, and more! Loa is our first family pet and we didn’t want to get her from just anyone. Trish takes care of the mom and she breeds ethically and responsibly. Our pup Loa has been the sweetest girl, easy to train, loves to play fetch, and so much more! Loa is now such a special part of our family and wouldn’t have been possible without connecting with Trish!
Madison Family
"Trish was so helpful and communicative!"
Kind words from Our Happy families
You will be getting a lab who has known love since the day the came into this world. It is so clear how much passion and heart Trish has for breeding and raising these dogs! The time and effort put in to producing healthy and secure puppies is so evident in their looks and behavior. My partner and I had never adopted from a breeder before, so finding an ethical one who not only did health testing and puppy socialization, but also one who truly cares for each puppy like family, was important to us. We felt that we were given so much helpful guidance and information, as well as take home goodies for help Violet’s transition.
Cowden Family
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Kind words from Our Happy families
Trish and Cory are amazing people who truly love Labs. Trish was fully transparent throughout the entire process, and was always happy to answer my (many) questions! They did personality testing on the puppies to ensure an ideal match, and it was spot on! Huck has the exact personality we were hoping for – he loves to run but also loves to lounge and cuddle; he’s a total goofball and SO smart! By the time we picked him up, he was fully crate trained, started on potty training, and desensitized to all kinds of sights and sounds. This allowed him to adjust rapidly to his new home, and set him up for success in his future training.
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