Black Lab or Yellow Lab?

[BLACKJACK]

As far as AKC goes, it does little to guaratee what the end rsult of your dog will be. It is proving that it is pure bred, that's the extent of it. Almost meaningless except for record keeping when breeding.

I would never consider a breeding that did not have OFA clearances on both parents and all 4 grandparents at a bare minimum, along with CERF clearances on both parents and EIC and CNM on at least one parent. This is the new threshold that should be adhered to when buying or selling pups. Also you want more than a 24 month guarntee... 3 years minimum. References should be available and some form of proof as to the parents ability in the field.

Good Luck in your search...

Ken

Labs, can you clarify for me (and other rookies) what OFA, CERF, EIC, and CNM mean? I know that they're related to hips, elbows, eyes, and ?? but I'm sure there are others that are also curious.

Thanks.

[311Hemi]

Labs, can you clarify for me (and other rookies) what OFA, CERF, EIC, and CNM mean? I know that they're related to hips, elbows, eyes, and ?? but I'm sure there are others that are also curious.

Thanks.

Here is a link to a discussion we had last year regarding these health issues. Details are given for each one.

Details on OFA, CERF, EIC, CNM, etc.....

[machohorn]

Just get a brown dog, chocolate all the way for me. Easier to to remember which dog is your among the pack

[Perch_44]

As far as AKC goes, it does little to guaratee what the end rsult of your dog will be. It is proving that it is pure bred, that's the extent of it. Almost meaningless except for record keeping when breeding.

I would never consider a breeding that did not have OFA clearances on both parents and all 4 grandparents at a bare minimum, along with CERF clearances on both parents and EIC and CNM on at least one parent. This is the new threshold that should be adhered to when buying or selling pups. Also you want more than a 24 month guarntee... 3 years minimum. References should be available and some form of proof as to the parents ability in the field.

Good Luck in your search...

Ken

where have you found litters with a 3 year guarantee? even the most high end breedings typically do not have more then 28 months.

for the original poster - find the litter you want, the qualities, certifications, field titles, etc. then let a puppy pick you! don't get too caught up on color and sex. and i've also seen a lot of females that are more high-strung then my crackhead male.

[LABS4ME]

I give 3 years minimum and have written 5 years. What is the difference between 28 months and 36 months?

It is my contention that with the proliferation of labrador breedings and the widespread problem of inherited disorders, breeders continually dwindled their guarnantees down... I've seen them as low as 18 months which we all know is worthless. Even 24 months gives you basically no guarntee.... They hope that nothing is found in those 2 months and if you OFA at 25 or 26 months and recieve a fail, they can say that your pup is now outside the guarnatee period. I know for the most part that every puppy I produce is sound, so I give 36 months and would look at something unusual coming up at 4 or even 5 years on a case by case basis.

Many British breeders gave 'working' guarantees (at least through the 80s when I had contacts there). It basically guarnteed you a working / functioning dog for 60 months... great for the hunter, but did little to clear up diseases such as dysplasia.

Good Luck!

Ken

[311Hemi]

I agree. I think the main point is a warranty should be over 24 months. 28, 30, 36.....anything that allows time to get the OFA certs and still be withing the warranty period.

[ram25000]

I like more black and male lab, but the good training is everything.