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What are the Heath Issues found in Labradoodles and Australian Labradoodles?
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The ALAA is very proud of our member breeders screening for health issues, Labradoodles and Australian Labradoodles of those member breeders are generally very healthy. Health
issues in our parent breeds are of concern to the ALAA and our breeder members. The number of incidents parallel those of tested parent breeds.
These include in order of numbers found: Hip dysplasia and PRA (prcd), all parent dogs should be screen for
these issues so that no affected offspring are produced. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia can be screened via an OFA x-ray at 4 months or later for both parent dogs and PRA (prcd) requires a DNA test
result of clear (A) for one parent dog.
Of secondary concern as rising incidents are
occurring, but below the incident numbers for our parent breeds: Patella Luxation, and Addisons. Patella Luxation involves a simple exam of both breeding parents and all offspring by a veterinarian. There is minimal diagnostic testing or DNA testing
for Addisons carriers or affected prior to the dog being affected with Addisons. Currently a CBC with full Thyroid Panel, TgAA, and a Cortisol test every 18 months is recommended to study the
possible onset of Addisons or Addisons Carriers until a test is found. Rare issues, but found in our breeds are allergies, cardiac issues, elbow dysplasia and very rare epilepsy. There are two allergy tests for canines, the recommended type is the ELISA test which is
more accurate and has less false positives. Cardiac screening would involve a full ECG on the dog if a basic exam discovered a problem, many breeders have ECG's done on parent dogs. Epilepsy is very difficult
to determine and requires a specialist. There are MANY reasons a dog may have seizures, these must all be ruled out to find epilepsy. All ALAA breeder members are aware
of these issues and screening recommendations. Please ask your breeder what is being done in their program.
ALAA Genetic Testing and Physical Screening of all Breeding Dogs for Breeder Members
LABRADOODLE CATEGORIES CREATED BY OFA AND OPTIGEN
Commitment to Health Testing Brings Recognition to Labradoodle Breed
The OFA Board of Directors has approved the following:
- Approval of a single new breed code for Labradoodles (LD)
- Only dogs indicating Labradoodle as the breed AND with a registration number from the Australian Labradoodle Association of America (ALAA) or International Australian Labradoodle Association (IALA) would be registered under the new breed code.
- Applications indicating the breed as Labradoodle, but with a registration number from any other registering body or with no registration number would continue to be processed as Hybrids.
According to Eddie Dziuk of the OFA:
“The club registration criteria for registering dogs as Labradoodles is a
response to the commitment to health demonstrated by the club not only in
its strong code of ethics requiring health screening, but also in response
to the club members’ demonstrated use of OFA evaluations.”
Additionally, OptiGen has also agreed to give Labradoodle and Australian Labradoodle their own categories. ALAA Members need to notify Optigen of dogs already tested, their test numbers, and which category they should be in.
The International Australian Labradoodle Association (IALA) is a Global Group consisting of independent Regional Sister Associations each operating under the guidance of their own individual Code of Ethics and Elected Officers committed to the Labradoodle and Australian Labradoodle breed. The ALAA, Australian Labradoodle Association of America, is proud to be in the IALA representing the United States of America and Canada. The ALAA is a NOT-FOR-PROFIT organization and all our officers and committee members are elected volunteers.
What Testing does the ALAA recommend or require under the CODE of ETHICS?
These are detailed on the following pages but include:
Purebred dogs as well as mixed breed dogs are prone to health disorders which may be familial or genetic in nature.
Often, these health disorders are unapparent to the average person but could result in misery for both the dog and their
guardians.
The ALAA supports the genetic testing of all breeding dogs in order to reduce the occurrence of these health
disorders BEFORE they occur. To educate potential owners and breeders as to the possible congenital and heritable disorders that can be
found in Australian Labradoodles and Labradoodles, we have consulted The Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights
(AVAR) directory. This directory lists disorders of all dog breeds including the disorders found in Labrador Retrievers
and Poodles, the main foundation breeds of Australian Labradoodles and Labradoodles. A full version of this study will
be available online, October 2005. We have also consulted with Breeding Specialist
Dr. Iyampillai Arun, DVM, PA.. Whos’ superior work in this field is well documented.
Genetic disorder screening is one tool used by breeders to help reduce the incidence of certain disorders in a breed.
Yearly physical exams and consistent contact with puppy owners are two other tools. By judiciously sharing information,
screening for genetic diseases, and carefully researching the background of all dogs used in a breeding program a breeder
can make significant strides to reducing the incidence of disorders in future generations of Australian Labradoodles and
Labradoodles. For general information on Canine Inherited Disorders
Click for the detailed study
Gold and Silver Paw Rewards for Health Testing: The ALAA recommends for all breeding dogs, specific health tests and minimum
test result levels. Breeder Members are
rewarded Silver or Golden Paws next to their breeder listings as a direct result of the health testing performed
in their individual programs beyond the ALAA required testing. To review the
Paw Reward Program click here.
The IALA/ALAA is a not for profit association dedicated to the Australian Labradoodle and Labradoodle breeds. Our health information is written in
association and/or in conjunction with the following resource(s), veterinarian(s) and association(s). As the ALAA is dedicated to informing our member
breeders as to the latest advances in health care, health testing and diagnostic medicines and not marketing an individual breeders program we are able
to aid our breeders in understanding these methods and to develop breeding strategies which in turn produce the highest quality puppies. To gain more
information on the programs, health testing and breeding strategies the ALAA has written, please ask our consults and current recourses:
Dr. Arun, Veterinarian Breeding Specialist, Summit Blvd Animal Hospital (ALAA consultant),
Dr. Dodds and
Hemopet (ALAA assisting in Dr. Dodds Addisons Research and using Hemopet/Dr. Dodds Thyroid Testing with personal assistance of Dr. Dodds),
OFA (Hip, Elbow, Patella and using recommended Thyroid and PRA prcd testing methods),
Dr. Kent Wallace, DVM, MSc, DACVR (OFA Certified Radiologist with the highly regarded Veterinary Multi-Imaging Group),
PennHIP, (hip testing)
BVA (Hip testing),
UCDavis (Addisons Research Initiative, ALAA is participating, genetic kit can be ordered via ALAA Heath Committee /UCDavis),
Dental Vet (Underbite and Orthodontics), and
Vet Dentistry ,
Optigen (PRA prcd) and
Articles,
CERF Canine Eye Registry Foundation
Antech Thyroid Testing and Addisons Research and
Update on Antech Thyroid Testing
Canine Inherited Disorders
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Australian Labradoodle Association of America, Inc.