Breeding Practice
This link attached below is a great article explaining the many studies on Breeding dams back to back or skipping heats. We 1st & foremost want our girls healthy & happy so this was an important issue to have a firm understanding & stance on why we choose to either skip a girl or breed her back to back.
Dew Claws
Dew Claw purpose & why we have decided to no longer remove them, Please click link & watch this video
http://vimeo.com/39124130
Dew Claw purpose & why we have decided to no longer remove them, Please click link & watch this video
http://vimeo.com/39124130
EIC ( Exercise Induced Collapse )
Exercise induced collapse (EIC) is a common cause of episodic exercise
intolerance and collapse in otherwise healthy, adult, Labrador Retrievers. Dog
owners and professional trainers have recognized affected individuals for at
least 20 years, but they have not had a name for the disorder. Veterinarians
have speculated that the episodes might be due to heat intolerance, low blood
sugar, electrolyte (sodium, potassium or chloride) disturbances, heart rhythm
abnormalities, or an inherited muscle disorder. Dogs with EIC are normal at rest
and able to tolerate mild to moderate exercise but occasionally become
incoordinated and collapse after 5 to 15 minutes of strenuous exercise. It is
common for related dogs (littermates) to be affected.
Heredity of EIC
Pedigree analysis has established that the mode of
inheritance for EIC is autosomal recessive, meaning that all dogs with EIC have
received two mutant genes - one from each parent. This means that both parents
of a dog with EIC are either carriers of EIC (1 mutant EIC gene) or affected by
EIC (2 mutant EIC genes).
From the limited testing that has been done so far, it appears that more
than 25% of the Labrador Retrievers participating in field trials have at least
one copy of the EIC mutation (i.e. they are either carriers or affected). The
apparently very high frequency of the mutation causing EIC in the Labrador breed
and the presence of the mutation in some of the most successful field trial
lines make it unreasonable to suggest breeding only dogs that are clear of this
mutation. There are many other factors to consider when breeding, including
other health conditions and positive and negative inherited talents and traits.
Breeders simply need to be selective in their breeding, avoiding the production
of dogs that actually have EIC. All breeding dogs should be tested, and if
carrier dogs are bred they should only be bred to dogs that are genetically
clear of EIC so that affected puppies will no t be produced (see Table).
TABLE
EIC: IMPLICATIONS FOR BREEDING
Clear dogs: no copies of the mutation
bred to a clear dog: 100% of pups clear
bred to a carrier: 50% of pups clear, 50% of pups carriers*
bred to an affected: 100% of pups will be carriers
Carrier dogs: one copy of the mutation
bred to a clear dog: 50% of pups clear, 50% of pups carriers*
bred to a carrier: 25% of pups clear, 50% of pups carriers, 25% of pups affected
bred to an affected: 50% of pups carriers, 50% of pups affected
Affected dogs: two copies of the mutation
(breeding is not recommended)
bred to a clear dog: 100% of pups will be carriers
bred to a carrier: 50% of pups carriers, 50% of pups affected
bred to an affected: 100% of pups affected
3D is doing all we can to breed for excellence by way of the health screenings
ACVO Eye Exam & CERF
The purpose of the OFA Eye Certification Registry (ECR) is to provide breeders
with information regarding canine eye diseases so that they may make informed
breeding decisions in an effort to produce healthier dogs. ECR certifications
will be performed by board certified (ACVO) veterinary ophthalmologists.
with information regarding canine eye diseases so that they may make informed
breeding decisions in an effort to produce healthier dogs. ECR certifications
will be performed by board certified (ACVO) veterinary ophthalmologists.
OFA Hips & Elbows
Hips & Elbows
The biggest question I get asked is.... are your dogs hip and
elbow scored?
Another question I get asked very often is "Will the puppies
be hip and elbow scored before leaving you?" Alot of people that make enquiries
understand that dogs need to be hip and elbow scored but have no understanding
what is behind it, or what the scores really mean and which dogs need to be
scored...... And no the puppies do not get scored before heading off to their
new home.
Understanding Hip and Elbow
scoring.
Labradors as a breed have a pre-disposition to hip and elbow
dysplasia. Around 1997 the ANKC brought in mandatory hip and elbow scoring to help
reduce the incidence of hip and elbow dysplasia. Hip and elbow scoring is now
used as an important guideline for breeders to help reduce the possibility of
hip or elbow dysplasia in their breeding program.
The breed average at present for the Labrador breed (as each
breed average is different) is approximately 12.5 although the median score (or
average at present is more likely around 14), for a labrador. Keeping in mind
that this is an average taken over all the dogs that are actually scored. I
would expect the breed average to be alot higher if all the x-rays taken were
actually submitted for scoring. If this were the case the breed average would
definitely be higher (maybe up closer to 20) and it would be a more true
indication of the actual breed average.
You should also consider that out of any one litter most
breeders keep on one or two pups, that go on to be hip and elbow scored in most
cases. So in reality only a very small percentage of each registered litter is
scored. If entire litters or even half of each litter was hip and elbow scored
this would also impact on the breed average of the Labrador Retriever as
well..... just something to think on..........
Each hip is rated out of a potential score of 53. The lower
to 0, the sounder the hip. A score of 0/0 (which is left hip and right hip) is
perfect. Even a score of 4/4 I would say is near on perfect. Then the left and
right hip scores are added together to give a total rating. So the dog with a
4/4 hip score would have a total of 8.
It is a part of the bigger picture, helping us when deciding
on a potential litter. Why do I say this is only a part of the bigger picture?
Because even though we all hip and elbow score our breeding labs, we also take
into account more than just scores when pairing up two potential dogs. Also dogs
that were scored say 6 years ago would have a higher breed average than say a
dog scored presently.
Elbows -
I have found that we are hearing more about elbow issues in
the labrador compared with hip issues over the last few years. Elbows are scored
at the same time as hips but are scored quite differently. A score of 0/0 (left
and right elbows) is perfect, not affected. You then go up in score depending on
the gap between the elbow joint. This is measured in millimetres. The scores of
dogs can go up to 5 which would be seriously affected and should not be bred
from. We would personally not breed from anything with a 2 elbow score or
higher.
Keep in mind no amount of screening can totally
stop the chances of possible hereditary defects entirely. Labradors are a living
thing and these are tools that each of us, as breeders, use to help us with
breeding decisions along the way. This however does not guarantee that puppies
will be free of a possible potential health problem but breeding from sound
parents increases the probability of sound puppies.
The biggest question I get asked is.... are your dogs hip and
elbow scored?
Another question I get asked very often is "Will the puppies
be hip and elbow scored before leaving you?" Alot of people that make enquiries
understand that dogs need to be hip and elbow scored but have no understanding
what is behind it, or what the scores really mean and which dogs need to be
scored...... And no the puppies do not get scored before heading off to their
new home.
Understanding Hip and Elbow
scoring.
Labradors as a breed have a pre-disposition to hip and elbow
dysplasia. Around 1997 the ANKC brought in mandatory hip and elbow scoring to help
reduce the incidence of hip and elbow dysplasia. Hip and elbow scoring is now
used as an important guideline for breeders to help reduce the possibility of
hip or elbow dysplasia in their breeding program.
The breed average at present for the Labrador breed (as each
breed average is different) is approximately 12.5 although the median score (or
average at present is more likely around 14), for a labrador. Keeping in mind
that this is an average taken over all the dogs that are actually scored. I
would expect the breed average to be alot higher if all the x-rays taken were
actually submitted for scoring. If this were the case the breed average would
definitely be higher (maybe up closer to 20) and it would be a more true
indication of the actual breed average.
You should also consider that out of any one litter most
breeders keep on one or two pups, that go on to be hip and elbow scored in most
cases. So in reality only a very small percentage of each registered litter is
scored. If entire litters or even half of each litter was hip and elbow scored
this would also impact on the breed average of the Labrador Retriever as
well..... just something to think on..........
Each hip is rated out of a potential score of 53. The lower
to 0, the sounder the hip. A score of 0/0 (which is left hip and right hip) is
perfect. Even a score of 4/4 I would say is near on perfect. Then the left and
right hip scores are added together to give a total rating. So the dog with a
4/4 hip score would have a total of 8.
It is a part of the bigger picture, helping us when deciding
on a potential litter. Why do I say this is only a part of the bigger picture?
Because even though we all hip and elbow score our breeding labs, we also take
into account more than just scores when pairing up two potential dogs. Also dogs
that were scored say 6 years ago would have a higher breed average than say a
dog scored presently.
Elbows -
I have found that we are hearing more about elbow issues in
the labrador compared with hip issues over the last few years. Elbows are scored
at the same time as hips but are scored quite differently. A score of 0/0 (left
and right elbows) is perfect, not affected. You then go up in score depending on
the gap between the elbow joint. This is measured in millimetres. The scores of
dogs can go up to 5 which would be seriously affected and should not be bred
from. We would personally not breed from anything with a 2 elbow score or
higher.
Keep in mind no amount of screening can totally
stop the chances of possible hereditary defects entirely. Labradors are a living
thing and these are tools that each of us, as breeders, use to help us with
breeding decisions along the way. This however does not guarantee that puppies
will be free of a possible potential health problem but breeding from sound
parents increases the probability of sound puppies.
Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM)
Centronuclear myopathy in Labrador Retrievers is a recessively
inherited muscular disease. This disease was previously known as Labrador
muscular myopathy. The disease is characterized by early onset muscular problems
such as awkward gait, fatigue, and difficulty eating. Affected puppies
generally begin displaying these problems within a few months after birth.
Researchers in France, Drs. Tiret and Blot at The Alfort School of Veterinary
Medicine discovered the mutation that is responsible for the disease. The test
offered here is based on this discovery. As with other recessive diseases,
animals with two copies of the mutation will be affected and display symptoms,
whereas animals with one copy (carriers) and no copies (clear) will be symptom
free.
Carriers can still be bred to clear dogs. On average, 50% of such a litter will
be clear and 50% carriers; there can be no affected puppies produced from such a
mating. Dogs which will be used for breeding can themselves be DNA tested to
determine whether they are clear or carrier.
3D's Stance on Health Clearances
We are very proud of our Retrievers for so many reasons & one of which is that we are striving to bettter the Labrador breed by getting health clearances done & only pairing retrievers that will produce pups free of an ill effects of the above mentioned Health test. Our ultimate goal is to produce a line of strong health, hunting desire & loyal companion in a variety of colors! ( Black, Chocolate, Yellow, Fox Red, Dilutes ) Our Breeding stock is of qaulity & only paired fittingly so to produce even better health than the parents ( breeding out any issues so to better the breed ). We have done our homework & will continue to make improvements so to stay on top of any new developments for the Labrador Breed.
This is one of the reasons you will not see many, if any, dilute by dilute breedings. We are trying very hard to improve the silver genetics by only doing improved breedings ( standard color , black, yellow, chocolate with hunt test back ground) to a dilute to create very nice pedigreed silver factored to be breed later on to other silver factored retrievers. Eventually we will have improved the dilutes enough to breed a dilute to a dilute but until then, we will only do so sparingly & with caution on the health clearances & beyond so to not hinder the improvements we are trying to make to the precious dilutes :) .
So, rather you are looking for s standard color or a Silver, Charcoal, Champaign (dilutes) or Fox Red Labrador, you can trust that 3D will be doing all we can to give you the best of the breed.
This is one of the reasons you will not see many, if any, dilute by dilute breedings. We are trying very hard to improve the silver genetics by only doing improved breedings ( standard color , black, yellow, chocolate with hunt test back ground) to a dilute to create very nice pedigreed silver factored to be breed later on to other silver factored retrievers. Eventually we will have improved the dilutes enough to breed a dilute to a dilute but until then, we will only do so sparingly & with caution on the health clearances & beyond so to not hinder the improvements we are trying to make to the precious dilutes :) .
So, rather you are looking for s standard color or a Silver, Charcoal, Champaign (dilutes) or Fox Red Labrador, you can trust that 3D will be doing all we can to give you the best of the breed.
