DNA testing...There IS a difference!
​

  • AKC DNA Profiling is for parentage verification purposes only.  Most breeders claim to DNA test, leading you to believe it's for the health of the puppies.  Reality is they are DNA profile testing because AKC requires it for a frequently used stud.  It does not provide information regarding genetic health, conformation, performance ability, coat color, etc. AKC DNA isn't even a breed identification test. It ONLY confirms parentage if the sire and dam also have DNA on file.

​

  • DNA GENETIC TESTING is a reliable way of determining a dog’s genotype and screening for possible genetic disorders. Many of these disorders are recessive, meaning that a dog can be a carrier of a potentially devastating disease and not show any signs. Testing for disease-causing genes allows the breeder to avoid breeding dogs that could result in puppies affected with known genetic mutations.

​

We DNA test for 16  common genetic issues in Labrador Retrievers. The DNA test looks specifically for recessive genes that affected dogs inherit from healthy-looking parents who had, somewhere in their pedigree, a sire or dam that has passed down the problematic recessive gene.  You can't look at a dog and tell if it has mutated genes.  

​

For the first 7 years we DNA health tested all of our dogs through Paw Print Genetics. In 2019 we switched to  Embark Veterinary as they offer much more extensive testing options. To view each dog's results, please go to their profile and click on "Embark." 

​

Our puppies are not affected by the following common defects in Labradors:  

  1.  Centronuclear myopathy (CNM)  Mutation of PTPLA gene – Muscle abnormalities

  2. Cystinuria Type IA (CYST) mutation of SLC3A1 gene – Bladder, Kidney abnormalities

  3. Degenerative myelopathy (DM)  Mutation of SOD1 gene – Muscle abnormalities

  4. Elliptocytosis - mutation of SPTB gene – Blood abnormalities

  5. Exercise-induced collapse (EIC)  Mutation of DNM1 gene – Muscle abnormalities

  6. Hereditary nasal parakeratosis (HNPK) mutation of SUV39H2 gene – Nasal crusting

  7. Hyperuricosuria (HUU) mutation of SLC2A9 gene – Bladder, Kidney abnormalities

  8. X-linked Myotubular myopathy 1 (MTM1, LXMTM) mutation of MTM1 gene – Muscle abnormalities

  9. Narcolepsy (NARC) mutation of HCRTR2 gene –  Sleeping disorder

  10. Progressive retinal atrophy, Cone-rod dystrophy 4(PRA-crd4) mutation of RPGRIP1 gene –  Eye abnormality

  11. Progressive retinal atrophy, GR-PRA2 (also occurs in Labs) mutation of TTC8 gene –  Eye abnormality

  12. Progressive retinal atrophy, Progressive rod-cone degeneration (PRA-prcd) mutation of PRCD gene –  Eye abnormality

  13. Pyruvate kinase deficiency of erythrocytes (PK deficiency) mutation of PKLR gene – Blood, bone, spleen, liver disorder +

  14. Retinal dysplasia/Oculoskeletal dysplasia 1 (RD/OSD) mutation of COL9A3 gene –  Eye abnormality

  15. Skeletal dysplasia 2 (SD2) mutation of COL11A2 gene – Skeletal Malformations

  16. Achromatopsia Type 1 (ACHM1) mutation of CNGA3 – Day Blindness 

   

Note: These tests are NOT a guarantee you will never have other health issue with your dog.  There are an unending number of health issues that could affect your puppy over the course of its life.  No other health guarantee is expressed or implied.

​

Check out the following videos to understand the importance of DNA testing.

​

How DNA issues occur? Watch the video

What is EIC?  Watch the video 

What is CNM? Watch the video

What causes Hip Dysplasia?  Watch the video

​

More health testing IS necessary!

Along with genetic testing, there is more health testing that needs to be completed.

  • OFA scores of "Fair", "Good" or "Excellent" or PennHIP scores at or below breed average. 

  • OFA CERF Normal

  • OFA Cardiac Normal

  • Dilute (DD) Clear 

Dog families, future dog families and Labrador enthusiasts, please, please take the time to read through the articles below. They are very through and contain valuable information that we have spent many hours researching and putting together to make sure everyone has the opportunity to learn more about Labradors. If one of these links are broken, or their is another topic that needs to be covered, please let us know.

ADDRESS:

Sherrard, IL 61281

Dilutes are known for skin and organ issues.  Because we care about the long-term health of the puppies we produce, we only support the ethical breeding of Labradors in the traditional colors of black, yellows (ranging from white to fox-red), and chocolates (from light to dark).  Dilutes, dilute carriers are not acceptable for our breeding program.  
ALL of our dogs are Dilute Free.