Health Testing
Labradors

The Importance of Health Testing Labradors

At Love’s Labradors, we believe DNA genetic testing is very important for the health and happiness of both the dog and their owners. That’s why we keep current on our testing for our Labs. Below is some wonderful information on testing Labradors.

Health screening for Labrador diseases is important. It involves testing dogs to see whether they carry the genes for diseases which could cause them or their future offspring to suffer.

A good deal of research has gone into these Labrador diseases, much of it funded by the Kennel Club, AKC Canine Health Foundation, and the British Veterinary Associaton (BVA).

You can’t assume that because you are purchasing a pedigree Labrador that they have undergone health testing.

Love’s Labradors screens for Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, EIC, CNM and DM, Annual Eye Exams, Optical Refractory, Optigen DNA-PRA-prcd and RDOSD, and Heart.

A responsible breeder tests his/her dogs for autosommal recessive diseases which are evident in the breed, and only ever mates a ‘carrier’ (one parent has the gene, the other doesn’t) with a dog that is ‘clear’.

With the development of so many available tests, breeding from carriers is not only possible, it is actually a good thing because it helps to keep the gene pool healthy. Breeders can be sure to only breed carriers with clear dogs.

Why don’t all Labrador breeders health test? Genetic testing is not cheap. By refusing to purchase a puppy who has untested parents, you can put pressure on breeders to do the testing.

Read more about the various tests by going to Health Screening for Labrador Diseases.

The Labrador Retriever Copper Toxicosis Test

The liver disease, copper toxicosis (CT) has become a hot topic among Labrador retriever breeders and dog owners with the arrival of a new genetic test which identifies two recently described mutations found in Labradors associated with opposite effects on the amount of dietary copper stored in the liver.

What is liver copper toxicosis?

Copper toxicosis is an inherited metabolic disease affecting Labrador retrievers and other breeds, which can result in chronic liver failure. Dogs with copper toxicosis have a decreased ability to excrete dietary copper from the body resulting in excessive copper storage in tissues and organs, including the liver, which can result in liver damage, subsequent cirrhosis and the inability of the liver to function properly. In a study published in 2016 by Dr. Hille Fieten and colleagues in the journal, Disease Models and Mechanisms, increased liver storage of copper in Labrador retrievers was associated with a mutation in the canine ATP7B gene.

ATP7A and ATP7B Gene Mutations

Copper toxicosis is an inherited metabolic disease affecting Labrador retrievers and other breeds, which can result in chronic liver failure. Dogs with copper toxicosis have a decreased ability to excrete dietary copper from the body resulting in excessive copper storage in tissues and organs, including the liver, which can result in liver damage, subsequent cirrhosis and the inability of the liver to function properly. In a study published in 2016 by Dr. Hille Fieten and colleagues in the journal, Disease Models and Mechanisms, increased liver storage of copper in Labrador retrievers was associated with a mutation in the canine ATP7B gene.

Breeding Strategy

When using the CT test results to make breeding decisions it is important to take into account the level of CT risk. Inheritance of the ATP7B gene mutation increases liver copper storage in an additive fashion. In other words, dogs inheriting two copies of the ATP7B mutation (one from each parent) are at greater risk of excess liver copper accumulation while dogs inheriting a single copy of the mutation (from one parent) have a lesser, but still significantly increased risk for the disease. It is important to note that the copper storage effect caused by the ATP7B mutation is more pronounced in female dogs than males, placing females with the ATP7B mutation at greater risk of developing CT. Both male and female dogs are protected, or have a dampening effect, against liver copper accumulation when they inherit the ATP7A “protective” mutation in combination with the ATP7B disease-causing mutation.

Given that only a fraction of dogs inheriting the ATP7B mutation will develop CT combined with the fact that the mutation appears common, we support a conservative approach to safely eliminating it from the population. In an effort to prevent loss of genetic diversity, we recommend keeping dogs with the ATP7B mutation in the breeding pool with the purpose of breeding them to dogs that are clear of the ATP7B mutation (regardless of their ATP7A mutation status). Using this practice limits the number of copies of the ATP7B mutation in offspring to one copy at most and keeps overall CT risk at a relatively low level while maintaining genetic diversity.

Read more about the Genetic Markers, the Breeding Strategies, and CT treatment in Casey Carl’s Article here.

Contact Us

Update October 2026

Due to limited areas allowing fire insurance and this is a must for lenders for home owners insurance, I went seeking a home w acreage along the Central Oregon Coast. I found it! A non burning area due to the trees not drying up from the extreme heat like within the interior of Pac NW. Dogs will reside and be trained in a cool temp area in the Summer and enjoy the temperate temps in the Winter. November I am in Los Banos for just a few weeks to show some started gun dogs or show young Labs to be trained as started gun dogs. It will be nice to once again have a home and nice acreage and water to work and play with the Labs. For those outside of the Central Coast of Oregon, rest assure it is well worth the extra 90 minutes from the 5 fwy to know that the dog you are buying or dropping off to be trained is in temperate climate with bed areas temperature controlled. I will accomodate travel trailers, RVs and indoor facilities in my home for meals and to stay a few days to make certain you are comfortable with your new hunting partner. Or to pick up your new puppy to take home. Please come and be my guest.

Currently I have 4 black males and females trained for started gun dog ready to go plus from the Violet litter I have 6 five month olds males and females just starting to get ready for the bird work. Behind that I have 4 black males that would be ready for bird work and your home Summer 2027. Plenty to view, review and make certain you both are the best match. So, Happy Hunting this season and give me a ring in 2027 and let's schedule a visit after hunting season and line up your new kid.

Next planned litter will be Iris and JJ producing extremely good looking birdy Fox Reds and blacks.

This year 2026 I will have trained #10-15 Started Gun Dogs, next year gearing towards #20 including the pups being potty and house trained with setting up the shop with a home like setting. I find my Started Gun Dog program leading my business in the last few years more so than puppy sales. I enjoy training young dogs and hoping they go to the best in care and most loving homes.

My Training Program has me allowing room and time to train for obedience and gun dog 3-4 Labrador Retriever Puppies per month from my breedings or from an approved kennel that I will train from their stock. I took a break from training Labradors for a few years and have found many of the trainers have gone out of business due to the past poor economy and there is a need for good quality trainers for the hunter, duck hunting experience and also for just understanding where a Labrador comes from to train for the companion dog.

My Gun Dog Training program is ONLY 60-75 days in length. I do not train a young Labrador to the college level within the 60-75 days but instead keep it basic so the mechanics, desires and commands are clean and they understand to their maturity level. I keep it positive and ask for the hunters to keep it positive with the commands for their first season. I do train much like Bill Hillman but also have my own style in reading the dog and applying the lessons and direction based on how much they can and desire to take in that day. 98% of the Trained Hunters by me are pleased with the outcome, and return for their next hunter.

Please let me know what your Labrador Training needs are and/or seeking a Labrador Retriever Puppy as I have some scheduled breedings going on now and again during Summer and one last one for the year w Iris in Fall. Please refer to my Litter page.

Health Guarantee

As a seasoned Labrador Breeder and Trainer, I am committed to providing the adopters with healthy Labrador Retriever puppies. The Health Guarantee ensures that all of the Labrador Puppies young and old are free from genetic or hereditary issues, and I pre-screen the Dams and Sires to rule out any potential health problems. I also provide educational resources to help the adopters make informed decisions about genetic health and ensure that their new Labrador Retriever puppy receives the best possible care. This commitment to health and transparency gives the adopter the peace of mind, knowing that their new family member is off to the best possible start. My guarantee is for LIFE. Not many Labrador Breeders do that! If you have done wrong to the puppy like wrong food or too vigorous of exercise at too young of age, then my guarantee goes out the window and I chose the wrong adopter to one of my kids but I do guarantee to the hips, elbows and eyes and especially to the diseases that I have DNA tests that i can perform on the parents. Side bar note: for the hunters, I guarantee your Labrador Retriever puppy is birdy. Again, how many Labrador Breeders do that!! If not, give your other family member the pup and let's get you another Labrador puppy as a Hunter for you---no charge. I will need to assess the pup first at ages 4-6 months. I stand by this guarantee and my Labrador breeding program.

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