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Labrador Retriever Breeders

animated lab pup

If you are a reputable U.K, Labrador breeder and your dogs are
 hip and eye tested
you are most welcome to List on this page

Puppy Farms Are not Welcome here

 Please click here to Post your details

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If you are looking to purchase your first Labrador Pup
Please Click here first

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Click on the Running pups below to view breeders latest litters

running choc

I would like to sincerely thank the Following breeders for their kind support of
 
Labrador Rescue East midlands

Croftonbar Labradors,Poniel Labradors, Badgersleigh Labradors,Willowfurn Labradors, Cornardwood Labradors,Teuluni Labradors, Donamick Labradors, Lowcragg Labradors,Rhemacourts Labradors, Langsway Labradors, Rashffilc Labradors,Broadsamlee Labradors,Ardenbrook Labradors,Affinmore Labradors,Winlunds Labradors,Fronhouse Labradors,Holcroft Labradors,Darkwood Labradors,Dakilear Labradors

Optigen Testing Click here for the facts

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Kennel Name

Proprietors

Location

Colours

Contact

 

Croftonbar

Mr J.A & Mrs L.A.Baron

Lancashire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

croftonbarlabs@ntlworld.com

View this Breeders Page

Donamick

Mr
M.Wilcox

Somerset

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

micky@wilcox1.freeserve.co.uk

 

Poniel

Mrs A McKay

Abington, Scotland

Black, Chocolate

adla@hotmail.co.uk

View this Breeders Page

Hartwoodhill
Labradors

John Erskine

Lancashire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

Hartwoodhill@fsmail.net

 

Teuluni

Mrs C.A.E. & Miss N.A.LL.AL-BAZI

North Wales

Black, Chocolate

 teuluni@live.co.uk

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Afinmore

Fiona Maclean

Dumfriesshire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

fiona@fernbank7.fsworld.co.uk

 

Badgersleigh

Pat Ponsford

Sunningdale

Chocolate

patricia.ponsford@tesco.net

 

Cornardwood

Mrs Gwen Mallindine

Sudbury, Suffolk

Chocolate

mallindines@tiscali.co.uk

View this Breeders Page

Lowcragg  Labradors

peter Fallon

Ulverston  Cumbria

Chocolate

frallonp@aol.com

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Rhemacourts

R J Rogers

Herefordshire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

rhemacourts.dogs@virgin.net

 

Rashffilc

Mr & Mrs Edwards

Hampshire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

chocolatelabs@btinternet.com

 

Langsway Labradors

Karen Langley

Ripon North yorkshire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

kaz_winksley@hotmail.co.uk

 

Reid Labradors

Alan & Chris Reid

West Yorkshire

Chocolate

cjreid911@hotmail.com

 

Darkwood
Labradors

Mr & Mrs A Holmes

Chatburn Clitheroe

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

aholmes104@tiscali.co.uk

 

BROADSAMLEE LABRADORS

TG & LE
Broadfield

Birmingham

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

broadsamleelabradors@googlemail.com

 

Ardenbrook

Mrs Kate Smith

Stratford upon Avon Warwickshire

Black, Yellow

katie@ardenbrook.force9.co.uk

View this Breeders Page

Homersham
Labradors

Vicki Stuart

Headcorn Kent

Black, Chocolate

stuartvicki@aol.com

View this Breeders Page

Lorkym

Lorraine

Kent

Black, Chocolate

k677carter@btinternet.com

 

Chaddock Labradors

Carolyn Taylor

Cheshire

Chocolate

carolyntaylor@uwclub.net

 

Winlunds Labradors

S Rogers

Herefordshire

Black, Chocolate

sarahrogers582@btinternet.com

View this breeders site

Kennox Labradors

Russell Tanner

South Lanarkshire

Chocolate

RUSSELLTANNER04@AOL.COM

 

Fronhouse

Geoff & May Wilding

North Wales

Black, Chocolate

maywilding@btinternet.com

 

Donisthorpe Labradors

Miss Jane Kelly

Derbyshire

Chocolate

donisthorpelabradors@yahoo.co.uk

 

Rockshot Labradors

Messers King &  Lowery'

Norfolk

Chocolate

Rockshotlabradors@btinternet.com

 

skirsaskye

Morag Donnelly

Glasgow

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

trekkiemo@gmail.com

 

Summerly Hall labradors

Lynne Wilkinson

Dronfield near Sheffield

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

summerlylabs@yahoo.co.uk

 

Carriegame

Gail Dodd

Middlewich, Cheshire

Black, Chocolate

gail@carriegame.co.uk

 

Heidiflic

Anne Gough

Herefordshire

Black, Yellow

fawleykennels@btinternet.com

 

Bearstone

Ali Edwards

Buckinghamshire

Black, Chocolate

thewoofers@aol.com

 

Ralyville

Mr & Mrs Newton

Wirral

Black, Chocolate

hhshawline@hotmail.com

 

LLANSTINAN

DEREK & LYNDA MILES

Pembrokeshire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

mileslynda@hotmail.com

.

Wylanbriar Labradors

Diana Stevens

West Sussex

Black, Chocolate

Wylanbriarlabs@aol.com

 

Chenalls Labradors

Kathy & Louise Corrigan

Hayle Cornwall

Black

Cornishpaws@aol.com

 

Boxlock

Peter Atkinson

Lancashire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

info@boxlock.me.uk

 

Streamanda Labradors

Mr J C & Mrs A J Stewart

Hereford

Black, Chocolate

streamandalabs@fsmail.net

 

Prayers Labradors

Mr N Henson

Brixworth
Northampton

Black, Chocolate

prayerslabradors@mail.com

 

Harobed Labradors

Deborah Davies

Nottinghamshire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

deborah.j.davies@bt.com

 

Thurbajen

Mrs Jenny Green

Meopham Kent

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

jenny.thurbajen@btinternet.com

.

Ohana Labradors

James and Joanne Baird

Chester

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

joannembaird@aol.com

 

Celynbach Labradors

Susan Myerscough

Ceredigion

Black, Chocolate

susan.myerscough@virgin.net

 

Chris Rawson

Chris Rawson

Nottinghamshire

Black, Chocolate

christine@rawson879.fsnet.co.uk

 

Gamblegate

Sarah Nuttall

Lancashire

Yellow, Chocolate

sarahnutt2000@yahoo.co.uk

 

Boothgates Labradors

D.J & M.A Nightingale

Heage Derbyshire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

man23lab@aol.com

.

Rhymsglo

Patrick & Angela Ward

Derbyshire

Black, Chocolate

rhymsglo@yahoo.co.uk

 

Holmajor

Pat Davies

S.Herefordshire

Yellow, Chocolate

holmajor@btinternet.com

 

Overmarsh

Manning

North Wales

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

overmarshlabradors@yahoo.com

 

Oakhouse

Litherland

North Wales

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

oakhouselabs@btopenworld.com

 

Clocktower

Mrs T Ballard

Worcestershire

Black, Chocolate

tballard@clocktower.org.uk

 

Treburrow

Maria & Gordon Fox

Cornwall

Black, Chocolate

treburrow@hotmail.com

 

Lembas

Chris & Claie Mills

Somerset

Yellow,Black

lembas@talk21.com

 

Marketaroyal

Kevin & Margaret Robinson

Northumberland

Black, Chocolate

kevin@robinson93.fslife.co.uk'

 

Auchendinny Gundogs

Tracey Burrows & Robert J Lawrie

Midlothian

Yellow

auchendinnygundogs@hotmail.co.uk

 

HOLCROFT

Mrs Mica Korab

Manchester

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

madisonholcroft@msn.com

 

HUMARYN

Marilyn and Hugh Sidebottom

Devon

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

humarynlabradors@btinternet.com

 

Exelby Labradors

Kay Cook

Lockerbie. S. W. Scotland

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

exelbylabradors@yahoo.co.uk

 

Mattand

Sharon Lambert

Derbyshire

Chocolate

sharon@lambert340.fsnet.co.uk

 

Oulsmi

Ginette Oulton

Lancashire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

oulsmilabradors@hotmail.co.uk

 

Foxhollows

Jayne Baker & Steph Baharie

Pontypridd S Wales

Yellow
Black

foxhollows-labradors@hotmail.com

 

Oakglen Labradors

Geoff & Cathy Hatfield

Near Helston, Cornwall

Yellow
Black

Oakglen@carnowall.fsnet.co.uk

 

Madwags
Labradors

Claire Nuttall

Lancashire

Black, Chocolate

madwags@hotmail.co.uk

 

Fleetpaw

Mr & Mrs Lacey

Nottingham

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

liz@suntopkennels.co.uk

 

Rightho

Helen Murphy

Macclesfield Cheshire

Yellow
Black

rightho@kaybrookcobs.co.uk

 

Maplespring

Gary Parker

Somerset

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

theknollfarm@hotmail.com

 

Julia Newton

Julia Newton

Leicestershire

Chocolate

juliaclaire@hotmail.com

 

Hurstbrook

Claire Akehurst

Chichester West Sussex

Chocolate

claire.akehurst@talk.com

 

Hassavant

Su Lund

Wesbury
Wiltshire

Chocolate

hassavant@btinternet.com

 

Gowanvale Labradors

PAT  KEN CONCANNON

Cumbria

Black, Chocolate

gowanvale@aol.com

 

Bramblesend

Miss D Raines

Hampshire

Chocolate

bramblesend@fsmail.net

 

Baileydale Labradors

Mr & Mrs A & J Metcalfe

Colchester Essex

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

baileydalelabs@AOL.COM

 

TRENTDALE

MRS JOANNA JOHNSON

NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

trentdale@msn.com

 

BALOAN

MJ & J Moore

Cumbria

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

baloanlabs@yahoo.co.uk

 

Milabel Labradors

Diane Miles

Nutley, East sussex

Black, Chocolate

dimmiles@btinternet.com

 

Lightbringer Labradors

Tracey J Parker

Swindon, Wilts

Black, Chocolate

info@tj-canine.co.uk

 

Winsleywood Labradors

Mrs A Scutcher

Colchester, Essex

Yellow

info@winsleywoodlabradors.co.uk

 

kaemin gundogs

Miss S Roden and Miss L Forrester

Wiltshire

Black, Yellow

info@kaemingundogs.co.uk

 

patchull faes

Lydia morgan

cefn faes dolfor newtown powys

Chocolate

enquiries@cefnlea.co.uk

 

Pitneze
Labradors

Jan & Phil Wright

Peterborough

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

jans7labs@ntlworld.com

 

Jenpippa
Labradors

Debbie & Keith Barnett

Spilsby Lincolnshire

Yellow

debbie.barnett@talk21.com

 

BEROLEE

Sue Marskell

Ruislip
Middlesex

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

SUE@BEROLEE.COM

 

Rossclyde labradors

Rob and Linda Saunders

Kent

Black, Yellow

rossclyde@msn.com

 

Cynehild

Louise and Garry Clark

Kenilworth, Warwickshire

Chocolate

clarklv@aol.com

 

Dylsonleigh

Gaill Flockton

Alfreton, Derbyshire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

glflcktn@aol.com

 

DRUMCONDRA

Mrs,
E Coates

Birmingham

Black, Yellow

elizabethcoates@blueyonder.co.uk

 

Godfery Kennels

Adam Hait

Northolt

Chocolate

info@epupz.eu

 

Arghishalee

Sue White

Swansea

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

sue@arghishalee.co.uk

 

Gamepark Labradors

Anthony Brown

Guildford Surrey

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

anthony@browns.eclipse.co.uk

 

Ryedown

Mr. R. Phillips & Mrs. I. McKenzie

Hampshire

Black, Chocolate

Ryedownlabs@btinternet.com

 

Cochen

Mesdames
W Bebb &
K Sutton

Cardiff

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

cochendogs@aol.com

 

Whistletyne

Judith Keating

Northumberland

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

whistletyne@tiscali.co.uk

 

Sue Ellis

Sue Ellis

East Sussex

Chocolate

sue@turbotortoises.co.uk

 

Lowport

Fiona Maxwell

Linlithgow

Chocolate

fiona.maxwell@blueyonder.co.uk

 

Torway

Sue Parson

Hampshire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

torwaylabs@hotmail.com

 

Meldayzee Labradors

Toni Sands

Huddersfield

Yellow, Chocolate

meldayzeelabradors@hotmail.co.uk

 

Knoydar

Tricia Gartland

North Ayrshire

Black, Yellow

Pat_G@Wightcablenorth.net

 

Karlomeg

Mrs L Baker

Grantham

Black, Chocolate

indiancolours@aol.com

 

Bychanseren

Amy Southworth

Chorley Lancashire

Black, Yellow

ams111545@hotmail.com

 

Marronoir

Mrs J McDonald

North East

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

joanne1.mcdonald@ntlworld.com

 

Devonelite

Baharie

South Wales

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

devonelitelabs@hotmail.com

 

Fallowfen

Mr & Mrs Hutchinsom

Nottinghamshire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

fallowfen1@btconnect.com

 

Chapelrose

Fran Armitage

Sheffield

Black, Chocolate

chapelrose@sky.com

 

Barmagachan

Mr and Mrs Boam and Family

Dumfries and Galloway

Yellow, Chocolate

k_boam@hotmail.com

 

Stede Labradors

Stephen Howitt
& Denise Regan

Isle of mull Scotland

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

tomamhuillin@btinternet.com

 

Amberstope

Mr L D & Mrs J A Neal

Nottinghamshire

 

amberstopelabradors@hotmail.com

 

Ludalor

Lorraine Tooth

Nottinghamshire

Black, Yellow

ludalorlabs@hotmail.com

 

Yaffle House

Mrs D Foulsham

Hampshire

Black

didi.foulsham@gmail.com

 

Hussells Labradors

Mrs S Hope

Chigwell
Essex

Chocolate

sharonhope2000@yahoo.com

 

Standeridge

Jackie Callow

West Midlands

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

jacallow2002@hotmail.com

 

Lakemeadow Labradors

Mrs. Jenny Dobson

South Yorkshire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

jredobson@hotmail.com

 

Debylyn

Debbie Simms-Walker

Hampshire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

debylyn@ntlworld.com

 

Shipscognac

Liz Burbidge

Lambourne Essex

Chocolate

liz@cclaims.co.uk

 

Wickwhistle Labradors

Lucy Earp

Northants

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

lucy@wickwhistle.co.uk

 

Whimobay

K Herbert

Staffordshire

Chocolate

kellyherbert@fsmail.net

 

Alsweyn

Mr & Mrs  Seaman

Thurso,  Scotland

Black, Chocolate

andrea@alsweyn.co.uk

 

Timouron

Mrs Claire Allen

St Neots Cambs

Black, Chocolate

dan.allen@sky.com

 

New park

Leppard

Aberdeen Scotland

Chocolate

donna.m.leppard@hotmail.co.uk

 

Tarimoor

J Elrod & J Swallow

York

Black, Chocolate

enquiries@tarimoor.co.uk

 

Glynjeffs Labradors

Glynis Wiley

Redditch Worcs

Black, Chocolate

glyniswiley@hotmail.co.uk

 

Flashmount Gundogs

Derrick Capel

Long Whatton, Loughborough

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

braidenvale.flashmount
.gundogs@googlemail.com

 

Claychalk

Gilroy

Scotland

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

claychalk@hotmail.com

 

Churchrose

Ally Parkin

Barnsley, Sth Yorkshire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

allisonparkin@
churchroselabradors.com

 

Smokeycot

Huw Tatchell

Bridgend
Sth Wales

Chocolate

gillian.tatchell@virgin.net

 

Tregear Vean

Brian Dash

Cannock, Staffordshire

Chocolate

briandash@homecall.co.uk

 

Homersham

Vicki Stuart

Headcorn Kent

Chocolate

stuartvicki@aol.com

 

Orchid Kennels

Zoe Sielski

Lancashire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

isielski@tiscali.co.uk

 

Jancet

Neil and Liz Peggs

Herefordshire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

lizpeggs@hotmail.co.uk

 

Blisstika

Mrs L Barry

Hounslow Middx

Black, Chocolate

blisstikalabs@yahoo.co.uk

 

Upperaughton Kennels

Arthur Telfair

Southport lancs

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

arthrtl@aol.com

 

Whartonmoss Labradors

Carole Harrison

Preston Lancashire

Black, Yellow

carole.harrison22@btinternet.com

 

Halesgarth

Jeff & Carol Sarvent

North Yorkshire

Black, Yellow

jeffsarvent@hotmail.co.uk

 

Ridgeway Farm

Diane and Kirsty Morris

Alcester, Warwickshire

Chocolate

morriskirsty84@hotmail.com

 

Driffwold

Mrs W Southwell

Driffwold East Yorkshire

Black, Yellow

wendy@driffwold.co.uk

 

Rodeley

Mr T D F Bream

Whitwick

Chocolate

tam.bream@fishergerman.co.uk

 

Labralee

Margaret & Ray O'connor

West Midlands

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

labralee@blueyonder.co.uk

 

Sorrelmarsh Labradors

Mr K Kirk & Mrs H Keene

Leicestershire

Black, Chocolate

karl@sorrelmarsh-labradors.co.uk

 

Courtmelyn Labradors

Mrs. Maureen Heath

Monmouthshire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

courtmelyn@yahoo.co.uk

 

Willokin

Miss J Digweed

Suffolk

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

jane@willokin.co.uk

 

Bowmorelabs

Nicols Fridge

Aberfeldy

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

stuartandnicki@bowmorelabs.co.uk

 

Altnadue Labradors

Ben willoughby

Castlewellan

Chocolate

benwilloughby44@hotmail.co.uk

 

Woodmist

Mrs S Rogers

Gloucestershire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

woodmist@hotmail.co.uk

 

Fieldmont

Jan Pearson & Sophie Montford

Hampshire

Chocolate

Gundog.gal@hotmail.co.uk

 

Phikamatt

Gamblin

Southampton

Black, Yellow

karengamblin@tiscali.co.uk

 

Fieldsong

Anne Followell

Lacey Green, Bucks

Black, Chocolate

bobfollo@aol.com

 

cuerdenlake

A&J Watson

Preston lancashire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

andrew.watson46@btinternet.com

 

Summerleaze

Dr P Taylor

Axminster, Devon

Chocolate

trish@summerleaze.net

 

Sanglier Labradors

Colin Hinkley

East Sussex

Chocolate

kathleen.branch1@virgin.net

 

Scottaby Labradors

Glyn Riley

Derby

Chocolate

rigger27@supanet.com

 

Velvetjoy

Mr & Mrs Stock

East Bierley
West Yorkshire

Chocolate

bryan@techmedia.co.uk

 

LULUKELLA

Mr and Mrs R Goodman

Slough, Berkshire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

lulukella@aol.com

 

Yarrowmarker

Kerren Rodgers

Dumfries & Galloway

Black, Chocolate

yarrowmarker@aol.com

 

Charzaline Labradors

P & C Rees

Swadlincote, Derbyshire

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

sean.charlotte@virgin.net

 

Peperline

Kerry Pepperell

Abergele, North Wales

Chocolate

kerry@pepereline.co.uk

 

Lait au choc

Mr R Addy

Yorkshire

Chocolate

samantha.gregory@hotmail.co.uk

 

Felechay

Jackie & Richard Smith

Moulton, Northants

Black, Yellow

felechay@aol.com

 

Ycart

Tracy Butler

Hull
East Yorkshire

Black, Yellow

labradors@ycart.karoo.co.uk

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Lukyma Labradors

Mrs J
Biddlecombe

Dorset

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

lukymalabradors@aol.com

 

Grendon

Kate Vincent

Northamptonshire

Chocolate

kvincent@spencerfoxrelocation.co.uk

 

Poolebar Labradors

Mr & Mrs Barrett

Poole Dorset

Black, Yellow

POOLEBAR@NTLWORLD.COM

 

Rookerynook

mrs
s taylor-jones

East yorkshire

Chocolate

rookerynook@taylorjones.plus.com

 

Christy Chocolate Labradors

Sue Christy

Buckinghamshire

Chocolate

suej102@hotmail.com

 

Stargate

Mr L Cash & Miss C Evans

Tyne and Wear

Black, Chocolate

leslie.cash@btinternet.com

 

Annakay

Sue Burroughs

Norfolk

Black, Chocolate

sueburroughs@tiscali.co.uk

 

Jakenice

Diane Puxted

Kent

Black, Chocolate

cjp4378@tiscali.co.uk

 

Kilstron

Audrey & Gemma Baillie

Kilmarnock , Scotland

Yellow, Chocolate

kilstronlabs@aol.com

 

Davalliawood

Mrs Teresa Bailey

Woodbridge, Suffolk

Chocolate

teresabailey30@yahoo.co.uk

 

Abbeybrook Labradors

Miss Denise Pitts

South Wales

Yellow, Black, Chocolate

denisepitts@hotmail.co.uk

 

Courtmelyn Labradors

M Heath

Monmouthshire

Black, Chocolate

courtmelyn@yahoo.co.uk

 

GunnBerree
Kennel Club Accredited Breeder

James Berry

Buckinghamshire

Black, Chocolate

labradors@gunnberree.com

 

Marumrose

Pat Nugent

Lincolnshire

Chocolate

Badgersbyte@tiscali.co.uk

 

Creamwood

mr & mrs B Andrews

suffolk

Yellow, Chocolate

woofer5@hotmail.co.uk

 

Fritzelle

Mrs S. Donovan

East-Sussex

Chocolate

sonjadonovan@hotmail.com

 

Scarlywick

Annmarie
Bannock

Kent

Black, Chocolate

A.BANNOCK@TALKTALK.NET

 

Nirroc

Ted & Jenny Corrin

Isle of Man

Black, Chocolate

goldens@nirroc.com

 

Shallowford

June Archer

Durham

Black, Chocolate

june@shallowfordretrievers.co.uk

 

whitebeam

Mrs L Naylor-Gray

Crewe
Cheshire

Chocolate

lucynaylor-gray11@hotmail.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

runnin-pup05

Buying a Puppy

There are so many issues to consider, and questions to ask when considering buying a labrador puppy: Here, Diana Stevens of Wylanbriar Labradors answers some of the more commonly asked questions in respect of health testing when buying a labrador puppy

Q: 'I've heard and seen puppy adverts mentioning health certificates and wondered what this meant and why it is necessary?'

This is a very misunderstood area. Alongside temperament, the health of your Labrador throughout its life is of primary importance to you as pet owners. Three of the most frequent problems that affect the Labrador are Hip Displacia, Elbow Dysplasia and GPRA (a problem with the eyes that causes blindness, often by three or four years of age).

The eye problem is ENTIRELY genetic (so passed through the genes from the puppies parents to it and its littermates).
The Hip and Elbow problems have a very strong genetic influence, but can be aggravated by over exercising a young puppy, falls, injuries and general roughhousing whilst the dogs joints are still growing.

Therefore, it is very very important that only dogs free from these problems themselves are bred from to give the puppies produced the very best chance of being free themselves of these painful and traumatic problems.

The common misconception is that only competition kennels use the health schemes or that they are not for breeders who 'only produce pets'. The schemes are not expensive to put breeding dogs through, and, remember, every dog bred from is a 'breeding dog', NOT just those belonging to people who show or work their dogs. To NOT health test the parents before breeding for these conditions is selling both puppy buyers and the puppies they produce short as they are playing Russian Roulette by breeding 'blind'.

To briefly explain the schemes:
Hip Scoring.
At around a year of age, when the dogs skeleton has fully grown, an x-ray is taken of the dogs pelvis area. This x-ray is then sent from the vet to the BVA (British Vet Association). They will score this x-ray with each hip of the two hips scoring between 0 (lowest) and 53 (highest). So if both hips are scored the total that dog achieves will be between a TOTAL of 0 and 106 (2 x 53). Currently the breed average for a total of both hips sits at around 16. So dogs around or under this score have average or better than average hips to give a guide. the score can also be shown sometimes as two numbers, left hip/right hip - so, something like 5/4 (total of 9 - good) or maybe 33/21 (total of 54 - poor).

Elbow Scoring
A newer scheme and currently less dogs are elbow scored than hip scored. It is gaining in use and many breeders are realising the importance of checking elbows too on their breeding dogs as many 'front end' lameness problems are showing around 6 - 9 months of age and have been for many years.

Usually at the same time as the hip x-rays, a set of x-rays of each of the dogs elbows are taken under general anaesthetic. These x-rays are sent, again, to the BVA and scored, by the nature of the joint being different to a hip joint, in a slightly different way.

Elbows are EACH scored only from 0 - 3 (0 being excellent, 3 being very badly affected with problems). The small range of scores available mean that really, only dogs with a 0 score on each elbow should be bred from.

Scores are usually spoken of only as a single number - so 0, 1, 2 or 3 basically. If the score is uneven, so say, 0 (left) 1 (right) the HIGHER result is used as the dogs single score - so 1 (to indicate that he does have *some* element of problem there.)

To recap, it is the PARENTS of the litter who are scored and not the puppies. This cannot be undertaken until a year of age as a minimum but can be done at any age after this. Only dogs to be bred from are usually hip and elbow scored, there is no need to score pet puppies who are not to be bred from. The information is FOR breeder and puppy buyers to decide if the dog is suitable to be bred from. Hip and elbow scoring are done once in a dogs life only and his scores remain with him for the rest of his life. When buying a puppy, you should insist on seeing the official BVA/KC certificates with the dogs scores on. NEVER just rely on verbal assurances that the parents are scored without seeing the proof. Hip scoring has been undertaken now for around 35 years and Elbow scoring for 12 - 15 years and so the schemes are well known and well used. A breeder shows everything you need to know about them, if they do not use the health schemes, even if they seem a nice person with basically healthy looking dogs.

Eye Test Certificate.
This is possibly even more essential for buyers of puppies to ensure they buy only from litters where both parents have been eye tested. GPRA is 100% genetic and so the status of the parents eyes entirely affects the puppies eyes for the future. This test is not undertaken at a regular vet but by a specialist. There are many many clinics and testing sessions around the country OR you can book a private visit to one of the dozens of test specialists. An eye test will be undertaken and a simple certificate given afterwards showing if the dog was affected or unaffected by the problems being examined for. This eye certificate should be renewed every 12 months and so, when puppies are produced, the certificate should be valid. they last only 12 months, like a Car M.O.T. so even if the breeder can show a certificate, firstly make sure the 'unaffected' box is ticked (not the 'affected') and secondly make sure it is dated within the last 12 months. If it is not, chances are the dog was retested and failed OR the owner didn't bother testing again. The trauma of a young pet dog going blind is so great that the £35 or so an eye test certificate costs a breeder is a SMALL price to pay to check their eyes are not affected before a mating is undertaken.

Q: I have seen all sorts of types of Labradors out there - some big heavy ones with large heads, some smaller, finer ones. Are they ALL pedigree Labradors and is there any difference between their temperaments?
The Labrador is the most numerous dog in the UK. Its not surprising therefore that they do come in all shapes and sizes. However as a general guide:
Show line and Field/Working line Labradors
These are not necessarily dogs who are shown or worked themselves, BUT have a pedigree full of dogs who come from either show or working lines. The show line labrador tends to be a little shorter in leg, but broader in body and head than the field/working type dogs. Commonly on a show-line pedigree you will see dogs with SH CH (Show Champion) before their pedigree name. On a working or field trial pedigree you will see several with FTW (Field Trial Winner) or FT CH (Field Trial Champion).

80 years ago or more 'the Labrador' was all one dog. One type. A moderate middleweight hunter dog brought over from the fishing waters of Newfoundland to be shooting companions for the UK gentry. The popularity of the amiable, biddable breed rose quickly and with the advent of more dogs being kept as domestic pets, started to slowly split into several types, with the working dogs actually being bred with a lighter and lighter frame to enable maximum speed, style and endurance, and the show and pet dog often being bred heavier, with more thought given to looks and 'show ring presence' than the origins of the breed as a medium sized dog with no exaggerations.

No one line or type is more prone to health problems than another. The logic that a lighter frame of Labrador must be healthier does not stand up in practice, especially as many of the working line breeders have been slow to start to use the health schemes (above) and so have not been making informed decisions health wise when mating dogs for as long as many of the show lines have been. Matings between pet dogs are numerous, and of course usually are undertaken for no other reason that the Sire and Dam of the litter lived nearby, or possibly both with the breeder, so therefore may be a mix of any lines, show, working or anything in-between!

Temperament is both inherited from its parents and developed by the way the dog is socialised and raised. It is important to see at least the mother of the litter to check her temperament is friendly, confident and you would be pleased to end up with a dog similar to her in looks and personality. If you would not, walk away. Puppies from show lines, pet lines and working lines can all be bold and outgoing, can all be timid and nervous and can all be smart and quick to learn or a little less clever! Generally the nature of field trial and working lines means that they have been bred for many generations to work hard all day and have the capacity to learn. These may, therefore, be a more active dog on the whole than your average show line bred dog, but many show bred lines are very intelligent and active without being overly demanding in their desire to be on the go quite so much.

In the end its the type that pleases your eye that you must 'go for'. This picture shows a both show line and working line dogs next to one another and gives a clear indication of the differences in structure and size.

Q: I 'only' want a pet puppy. Surely the sort of breeder who uses health schemes and competes with their dogs won't be interested in selling to me?
Breeders who show or work their dogs still always expect the vast majority of their puppies to go into pet homes. Just because they are experienced, regular competitors, doesn't mean they won't sell to pet homes. There is no NEED to buy from novice breeders, mating pet dogs for no good reason because you 'only want a pet'. Prices will be almost exactly the same too for pet puppies from whatever source. So make sure your source is a quality one!

Diana Stevens, Wylanbriar Labradors