Nook On Lyne Kennel Club Labrador Breeders

Extensive Health Testing

Comprehensive health testing carries a substantial cost to any responsible breeder and the health and welfare of our girls and their puppies are of paramount importance to us.

The recognition of the importance of our moral principles and beliefs has allowed us to carefully put together a bespoke breed specific health package without compromise.

Our Panel of Specialist Advisors are made up of experts in their particular field. These include Diagnostic Ultrasound Scanning Services, Human and Veterinary Orthopaedic Specialists, Canine Nutritionists, Geneticists, Veterinary Practices, Ophthalmologists, Specialists in Diagnostic Imaging, Dog Trainers, Canine Reproductive Specialists and Stud Dog Owners.

The following health package is used on all of our dogs together with the stud dogs we use within our breeding programme:

Nook On Lyne - DNA Tested Working Labrador Breeder near Carlisle

DNA Genetic Testing

By DNA testing our dogs we now know more about their genetic make-up and health. As a result, we have been able to establish that our girls are clear of 23 of the most common Autosomal-Recessive Conditions that affect the Labrador Retriever,

CNM, EIC, SD2, HNPK, prcd-PRADM, HUU, Achromatopsia, Alexander Disease, Cystinuria, Elliptocytosis, Myotubular Myopathy 1, Narcolepsy, PRA-CORD1/PRA-crd4, Copper Toxicosis and CMS, RD/OSD, MCD, GR PRA2, PK Deficiency, STGD, Hair Length & ULCMD. Our girls have also been tested using the Breeders Embark DNA package and are CLEAR with no variants detected for a further 202 Genetic Health Conditions together with a Certificate of Breed confirming 100% Labrador Retriever. Please refer to our DNA Health Tested Conditions page for a detailed description of some of these diseases.

The DNA testing of Autosomal Recessive Conditions means that tested dogs are either clear of the condition, carriers of the condition or affected by the condition.

Clear means that no diseased gene has been found and the dog will never have the tested condition. Clear dogs will pass on a normal gene to their puppies.

Carrier means that one copy of the diseased gene has been detected. Carrier dogs are very unlikely to develop the tested condition but there is a 50% chance that they will pass on the diseased gene to their puppies. 

Affected means that two copies of the diseased gene have been detected and the dog is highly likely to develop the condition. Affected dogs will pass on the diseased gene to all of their puppies. 

Therefore, at Nook on Lyne Labradors we can guarantee that due to carefully selected matings, we will only ever produce puppies genetically clear of the tested conditions of both the Dam & the Sire to further reduce the diseased gene frequency within the Labrador Retriever.

 
Nook On Lyne Kennel Club Labrador Breeders - Hip and Elbow Scan Check

Hip and Elbow Analysis & Pathological Assessment of the Joints

The Kennel Club suggest that the most reliable method of determining the health of a dog's hips and elbows is by having the dog X-Rayed and having the images assessed by specialists to look for any abnormalities in a dog's hip or elbow joints.

It has now been scientifically concluded that Canine Hip and Elbow Dysplasia are Complex Polygenic Conditions of which both environmental factors acquired after birth and inherited genetic factors can both play a key role in the development of the hip and elbow joints.

In order to make an accurate assessment of the health of the hip and elbow joints it is essential that both genetic and environmental factors are taken into consideration. Analysis X-Ray images are taken by our vet in a much more natural state without traction showing the whole hip and elbow complex thus allowing for a full assessment of the joints.

These images which are identified by the microchip number are then passed onto a highly respected and highly skilled X-Ray referral team of Orthopaedic Specialists.

These Orthopaedic Specialists then work with Mike & myself together with our vet in order to decide on whether to include or exclude a dog from our breeding programme.  We are absolutely delighted that all of our girls have successfully been approved by the team of Specialists to be a part of our breeding programme at Nook On Lyne Labradors.

 
Nook On Lyne - UK Working Labrador Breeder

Coefficient In-Breeding Calculator

With the help of the In-Breeding Coefficient Calculators provided by the Kennel Club we are able to check that both Sire and Dam are a suitable match and not to closely related thus reducing any possible health issues. All matings will be below the current breed average which is 6.6%.

Nook On Lyne - UK Working Labrador Breeder

BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Examination

The Eye Test is a clinical examination carried out by an Ophthalmologist in order to identify the presence of inherited and non-inherited eye conditions in dogs.

Nook On Lyne - UK Working Labrador Breeder

Comprehensive Health Assessment

We work very closely with our local independent vet in respect of our dogs health and our breeding programme. A Comprehensive Health Assessment and Gait Evaluation of all of our dogs is carried out twice per year in order to establish that they are in perfect health.

Nook On Lyne - UK Working Labrador Breeder

Progesterone Testing

Establishing when to breed is a crucial aspect for successful breeding. The optimal time to breed is 2 days post-ovulation this is because after ovulation the released eggs continue to mature. Once the maturation process is completed, the eggs are ready for fertilisation.

The test involves taking a small blood sample of the female to analyse her progesterone levels. We start this at around day 8 after the start of her season and the results will indicate what steps are required over the next few days, whether to retest or mate.

Nook On Lyne - UK Working Labrador Breeder

Vaginal Cytology

Vaginal cytology is performed on female dogs to help determine the optimum time to breed and enhance the success of pregnancy. The types of cells present in the vagina vary depending on the stage of oestrus. A swab is taken of the cells lining the vagina and analysed under a microscope.

Nook On Lyne - UK Working Labrador Breeder

Semen Analysis

The 2 Stud Dogs that we use have a regular Semen Analysis in order to determine the quality of their semen which is essential for successful breeding.

Evaluation of a semen sample includes an assessment of the colour, count, motility and morphology.

Nook On Lyne Kennel - Labrador Breeder, Cumbria

Ultrasound of Puppies Hips

Finally, the culmination of our bespoke health package is our use of a local Ultrasound service subject to availability.

By using this diagnostic ultrasound technology, it will be possible for experts to evaluate puppies in the early weeks of age to establish the presence or absence of normal healthy hip joint development.

Only when the orthopaedic specialists are happy with the hip development of the puppies are they signed off and certificates issued to confirm normal hip joint development.