I don't know a whole lot about it. Just what I've researched in the 3 or so months since I got my lab. I do know, though, that these hereditary problems are a big problem because of the over breeding and the backyard breeding. Both the sire and dam should be tested and clear.
Info on Hips & Elbows can be found here:
http://www.offa.org/diseaseinfo.htmlEye info:
http://www.vmdb.org/cerf.htmlAnd now I'm hearing a lot about EIC...Exercised Induced Collapse.
Considering what you'll spend on a dog over its lifetime, and the fact that you can get a lab pup from a reputable breeder who has certified test results available on the parents, for anywhere from $350 on up, it doesn't make sense to take your chances with a untested breeding.
If you want a dog for hunting and it ends up having hip dysplasia or EIC, you're probably not going to be able to hunt with it, so what are you going to do? Put it down? You'll be too attached to it by then and if you have kids it's definitely out. The option then is to get another dog and regret that you didn't take the steps necessary when you got the first pup. Or you go without a hunting dog.
As I understand it...and again I am NOT an expert...some of these things like EIC are gene related and something like hip dysplasia are more of a percentage deal. For instance, a dog can be a carrier of EIC and not have symptoms. You need two EIC genes to suffer from it. So two dogs without symptoms of EIC could each carry one gene and the litter might have pups that have two EIC genes.
On the other hand, with elbow and hip dysplasia (which can only be certified at 2 years old), normal parents can still result in dysplastic pups. From the OFA site:
Examination of the OFA database reveals the following mating probability results for 13,151 breeding pairs of dogs with known elbow status:
Normal Elbows x Normal Elbows = 12.2% offspring affected with ED
Normal Elbows x Dysplastic Elbows = 26.1% - 31.3% offspring affected with ED
Dysplastic Elbows x Dysplastic Elbows = 41.5% offspring affected with ED
In this very large breeding study (primarily Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, and German Shepherd Dogs), the rate of ED more than doubled when one parent was affected, and more than tripled when both parents were affected. In any breed where the overall percentage of affected dogs is already lower than the percentage that can be expected when a dog affected with ED is bred to a normal dog (26.1% - 31.3%), one would find few circumstances in which progress can be made by breeding a dog affected with ED.
So better parents = less chance of dysplasia.
If you buy a puppy that comes with a "guarantee", all that means is that you'll get your money back if it shows up, or perhaps get another pup from the breeder. It doesn't mean you're dog is is the clear.
It's tempting to breed a dog that you own or know well, but I think it's in your best interest to at least make sure both parents are tested. I can't say I haven't thought about it myself already. My dog's sire just passed the Master National Hunt Test in Hibbing last weekend (second national for him I think) and his sire's sire is a National Field Trial Champion. Maybe someday I'd breed him if he proves himself, and I haven't neutered him by then.
Anyone can feel free to correct anything I've stated, as I'm not an expert.
We can certainly talk if you want, but that's about all I know.
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