Let's See Your Dogs!!

[QUOTE="OldManTan";4544265]Thats my kind of beach!!!! Looks like he had a great time[/QUOTE]


Ya thats the lake in the background you just cant see it. We were headed to the pier.

 

http://m1058.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/Ray_roth/image.jpg.html?o=0&newest=1
First photo upload. Did it work?

 

here are my labs the black and chocloate are american females and and the yellow is an english american cross

 

CoCo Chanel Puffs

 

Labs are prone to several medical conditions. Of course, the usual joint problems (hips, elbows) as well as eye issues. There is a higher instance of epilepsy in labs too and they can have skin allergies and are prone to ear infections (it's a retriever problem in general) too. None of these conditions are necessarily limited to American or English bred dogs. As far as cancer goes, I don't know the answer to that.

Most of the issues are the result of bad breeding and can be mitigated by avoiding the backyard breeder sort as well as checking the dog's pedigrees and seeking the appropriate health certificates from the breeder. Not that a health certificate will guarantee a perfect dog but does help to know at least the parents are in good condition. The two most common certificates are for hips and eyes.

 

Parents should also be screened for EIC

 

EIC is Exercise Induced Collapse. Meaning that after 15 minutes (or less) of hard exercise (running the dog), the dog becomes weak and cannot control muscles. Although this occurs in labs with some regularity, it also occurs in many other breeds (usually sporting breeds; like retrievers). If your dog is prone to EIC, avoiding hard exercise is the only preventative measure.

I mentioned other testing so here goes:

• OFA. Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. OFA tests for the following:
  • Hip Dysplasia.
  • Fragmentation of Coronoid Process (elbow).
  • EIC = Exercise Induced Collapse.
• CERF = Canine Eye Registration Foundation.
  • Diseases of the Eye like Progressive Retinal Atrophy.

Generally, hip x-rays are used to gauge the condition of the hips and is done when the dog is 18 months or older. Parents should be free of any indication of dysplasia. The same is true of the elbows. Both of these are done with the dog anesthetized so if you're going to have it done, you might want to wait and do it along with something else--like getting the teeth scaled.

EIC and testing for PRA are done via blood work and if one of your dog's parents have either gene, there's a 50% chance your puppy will have it.

PRA is sometimes also called PRD. Dogs that are diagnosed with this condition will go blind.

Do you need to do some or all of this testing (there's way more)? Not unless you plan on breeding your dog (sire or dam). You should insist on seeing the test results for both parents of any puppy you are considering and in my opinion, the breeder should have a working knowledge of all diseases common in labs (or the breed you're considering).

I consider myself lucky because one of my buddies mentioned a couple of these diseases to me while I was looking for Poopers. That encouraged me to do some research to learn what I should be looking for both when selecting him as a puppy and also what could happen over time. And I think it points out the need for responsible breeding (if you're not serious about breeding, spay or neuter please). He wasn't so lucky as his (also a chocolate) lab had epilepsy and eventually, the reason why he put the dog down.

 

My sister had a Lab from a reputable breeder and he died from a tumor right after his first birthday. He went from a fun loving 100lb dog to a 50lb shell of his former self. Probably kept him alive too long. The breeder replaced him.

 

coco chilling in her spot and another of her as Dorthy on Halloween

 

I did my research when looking for my chocolate lab last year. Learned a lot.

x999999999 on responsible breeding

 

Second that! Before we got our Husky, I never knew all the different things to look for when selecting a breeder and checking out the pups parents. Research research!!!

 

I found both of my dogs on Craig's list. Both great hunting dogs my lab and my GSP. before them I had a pure breed Aussie who came from an amazing breader and he had problems like no other. I told myself I would never buy from a breader again. Rescues are the way for me. I got both my dogs as pups and didn't pay much for either of them have no problems with them an they are just over a year.

 

got my tripod on CL too

 

Gunner and remmy.

 

I gotta bring over Cooper man. He'll love Remmy I'm sure haha

 

Remmys a bitch haha. Gunner will play with him.

 

lol Cooper we'll make her play!

 

Here's my chocolate beagle, also named Cooper. He does do more than sleep, although you wouldn't know it from these pictures. His favorite thing in the world is to go in the woods to hike/hunt. Best dog I've ever owned.

 

She'll be 3 months on the 22nd.
She's just a brat. And then add Hayden the oldest who forces you to pet her (She's an AMAZING dog though. If I tell her no she will leave) and 2 cats that need attention as well and I'm going nuts.

Some of it is my fault. Potty training... I work 12 hours when I work so I would put her in a room with a potty pad. So it was ok to pee inside then but no other time. Think that was a bit confusing for her.
Once I fix the gate she can squeeze through.. they'll go on the covered front porch with beds/blankets while i'm at work (night shift) and while i'm home I got her a crate to sleep in - in my bedroom. She did pretty good with it last night.
Although I had to keep kicking one of the cats out of her crate... he loves it...

But Older dog Hayden will growl and snap at the pup and she doesn't listen what - so -ever.

Poor Hayden has to sleep holding her bone..

 

Dakota. She was a rescue. 2 months in this pic love her. She is a shepherd mix.