There are key questions all prospective puppy owners should ask the breeder from whom they are considering acquiring a puppy. Some of these questions pertain to the genetic background of the puppy and will help ensure that you are getting a healthy, happy, sturdy Labrador puppy. Of course, there are no absolute guarantees. All you can do is make certain that the breeder of your puppy has done all they can do to provide their puppies with the best chance of a life free from serious genetic problems. Sometimes even despite the best efforts of the most well respected and reputable breeders, problems do arise occasionally. Do your research and ask questions.  Information that you will find very useful in your search to learn about the world of Labradors: 

OFA Certification - Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
OFA hip and elbow certifications are absolutely necessary for any Labrador being bred. Labradors with hip or elbow displasia should never be bred. The x-rays for an OFA hip certification are performed at age two or older. A Preliminary OFA, which can be done at age one, is a good advance indication of a Labrador’s hips; but does not guarantee the OFA certification performed at age two will pass. A Labrador grows between ages one and two and the joints can change. Insist on seeing, for yourself, the hip and elbow OFA certification of the dam (mother) and sire (father). All reputable breeders will freely give you a copy of each. OFA rates passing hips as Excellent, Good, and Fair and elbows as normal. These ratings are spelled out on each certificate and an OFA number is assigned.

We have been told by people who call looking for a puppy that some breeders they have contacted informed them that it is not necessary to have the dam’s hips OFA certified, only the sire’s hips or it is not necessary to have the elbows certified. Others reported that the breeder told them the hips were x-rayed, the veterinarian performing the x-ray said the x-rays were "fine", so the breeder did not bother to send the x-rays to OFA for certification. Some have told us they were given just a number that was the supposed OFA certificate number. Always ask to see the certificates, never take someone’s word on it. If a reputable breeder has gone through the expense and effort to have x-rays taken, why would they not forward the x-rays to OFA for certification? Why would they not want to show you the passing certificates?  To learn more about OFA, please link to their website http://www.offa.org

Keep in mind that genetics is only one part of the equation when it comes to the joints.  The other two factors are nutrition and environment.  A responsible breeder uses every tool available to them to breed Labradors free of joint problems.  But once the puppy leaves the breeder, the breeder has no control over proper nutrition and proper care being given the growing and developing Labrador puppy.  Environment plays a very important role in the proper growth of the joints.  Puppies raised on slippery floor surfaces, allowed to jump, rough-house with older dogs, run and/or lay on hard surfaces, allowed too much strenuous exercise, or not given the correct amount of constructive, gentle exercise required to develop healthy bones, joints, tendons, and muscles may experience bone and joint problems.

CERF Certification and OptiGen prcd-PRA Test - Eyes
Another certification for both the dam and the sire is the CERF Eye Certification. PRA and other eye conditions are genetic concerns in the breed.  PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) causes blindness. Once again, all Labradors being bred should have a CERF certificate, which reflects a date within a one-year time period prior to the breeding of your puppy. The CERF examination and certification are performed yearly on all breeding Labradors.  In 2003, OptiGen developed an improved DNA marker test for Labradors to assists breeders in making more informed decisions in their breeding programs to eliminate the occurrence of PRA in Labradors.  The DNA results provide a classification for the tested Labrador of Pattern A₁, B₁, or C₁.  Pattern A are Labradors that have tested as non-affected and non-carriers, Pattern B are non-affected and probably carriers, and Pattern C are high risk to develop PRA.  Please link to OptiGen to learn more http://www.optigen.com

Pedigree
The pedigree of your puppy can provide a multitude of useful information, apart from the parentage, or "family tree" of the puppy. Breeders should offer you a copy of the dam and sire’s pedigree and some will even prepare a pedigree of your puppy, combining the pedigrees of the dam and sire into one pedigree for you. Some of the other information sometimes included on a pedigree are the AKC registration number of each Labrador in the puppies pedigree, the OFA certifications of each generation, the color, and all the titles earned by every Labrador who contributed to the genetic background of the puppy. A pedigree will also provide the kennel name that bred each Labrador in your puppy’s pedigree. Many of the pedigrees can be traced back to a well-known English kennel, which will provide interesting facts into the history involved in the pedigree. The older kennels and breeders can be easily researched in many of the books authored regarding the history of the breed.

Veterinary Care
Puppies should be examined and certified in good health by a veterinarian. A minimum of one set of shots and three wormings are usually provided for each puppy by the breeder. The first set of shots being administered before the puppy leaves the breeder at eight weeks of age. The wormings are completed at three, five and seven weeks of age. Breeders who competitively exhibit their Labradors in the conformation ring at dog shows most often will keep some of the puppies until they are a bit older to allow them time to determine the "show" potential of those particular puppies. You should always take your new puppy to your veterinarian within 72 hours for an examination. An independent examination by a veterinarian of your choice will not only protect you, but the breeder, as well.

Other Helpful Information
Other important indicators of a reputable breeder are the time, hard work, dedication, and finances invested into their line of Labradors. Many people have been well educated to beware of the many puppy mills producing litter after litter of improperly bred Labradors in conditions that are inhumane, crowded, and filthy. You must also be wary of the "back yard" breeders, who couple any two Labradors together without consideration to their pedigrees, hips, eyes, temperament, and genetic disposition. Not only are these breeders detrimental to the Labrador breed, it is cruel to produce puppies that will not be able to enjoy the experiences inherent to the breed, such as running, swimming, retrieving, hunting, etc., because to do so causes them pain and suffering. Not only are the veterinary costs of such an inflicted Labrador expensive to the owner but the Labradors will have a shorter life span, comprised of less then optimum quality of life.

A person choosing to enter into the world of the Labrador should first research the breed as well as any potential breeder you are considering. You should be aware that most responsible and reputable breeders will ask you many questions pertaining to yourself, your family, your lifestyle, your home, and your intentions with regard to the puppy, at the same time that you are assessing the breeder. Do you want a Labrador for a pet and companion, to hunt and retrieve, to show in conformation competition, to train in obedience, etc.? These are all important aspects of choosing the right Labrador for you. The breeder will help you as they are just as concerned to find the right home for each of their puppies as you are in finding and choosing the right Labrador.

A person, whom has entered the world of Labradors and became a responsible, reputable breeder has done so because of their love of the breed and their desire to become involved in bettering the breed, not to make a profit. They enjoy the many aspects of the multi-purpose Labrador and typically get involved in titling and competing with the Labradors in the conformation ring, obedience, hunt tests, tracking, agility, therapy, and many more. Any person who simply breeds Labradors just to produce puppies for selling and profit does not truly have the best interest of the Labrador breed in their hearts.