Labrador Retriever: health-screening sources

Key facts

LRC CHIC areas

Hips, elbows, eyes, EIC and D locus [source]

Additional examples

CNM, prcd-PRA and cardiac assessment [source]

Identification

Microchip or tattoo at testing [source]

The LRC source identifies required and additional records

The Labrador Retriever Club’s health page identifies hips, elbows, specialist eye examination, EIC DNA testing and D-locus testing as its CHIC minimum. It lists CNM, cardiac assessment and prcd-PRA separately as optional recommendations, with further detail about cardiac examination. A January 2021 club letter makes the same distinction and also mentions patellar assessment among additional recommendations. AKC’s short breed summary lists several tests together, so a guide should preserve the parent club’s own required-versus-additional distinction rather than claim every listed item has exactly the same programme status.

EIC and the D locus are different sorts of DNA information

UC Davis describes the commonly tested EIC variant in DNM1, a specific inherited neuromuscular condition. A result for this variant does not evaluate every possible reason for collapse or all aspects of exercise tolerance. The LRC also requires a D-locus DNA record within its programme. That is colour-locus information and should not be described as a general disease-clearance certificate. A laboratory panel can contain both kinds of information, but the shared technology does not make their purposes identical. Record each assay and its reported result separately.

The complete folder includes clinical examinations

Hip and elbow imaging and the ophthalmologist’s report cannot be inferred from the size of a DNA panel. The club requires permanent identification such as a microchip or tattoo at testing, so that the documents relate to the actual parent. LRC’s statement also requests public recording through the relevant databases. A prospective owner should be able to see which parent was examined, when the examination occurred and the complete finding. These records provide source-specific evidence for veterinary discussion; they do not guarantee a puppy’s future joint health, exclude every inherited disease or certify fitness for assistance, detection or field work.

Common questions

Sources & further reading

References for this guide. Rules and services can change; check the responsible organisation for current details.

• Labrador Retriever parent-club health statement (opens in a new tab)
• LRC: January 2021 health statement (opens in a new tab)
• UC Davis VGL: EIC test scope (opens in a new tab)

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