Labrador Retriever Club of Ontario

Maintain the original purpose of the Labrador Retriever as a retriever, breeding only from sound dogs of good temperament who exemplify the breed standard and are able to represent the breed for conformation in the ring, in the field as a willing worker, and/or as a hunting companion.

Be courteous, co-operative, and responsible members of the L.R.C.O., respecting and not degrading another member or their dogs.

Breed only to or from stock that must be:

a) X-rayed clear of Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Dysplasia, and will be certified by the Ontario Veterinary College (“OVC”) or the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (“OFA”). PennHip may also be used if evaluated at 18 months of age or older and each hip evaluation (Distraction Index) must be no greater than .50, rating must be in the 50th percentile or greater and there is no indication of Degenerative Joint Disease."
Breeder Option: As of October 2011, OVC made the decision they would not be evaluating hips & elbows for certification which was at 18 months of age and older. In lieu of this decision, LRCO will allow OFA hips and elbow preliminary evaluations to be accepted for breeding purposes, however, OFA preliminary hips & elbows must be evaluated between 18 months and 23 months of age, and must be graded as “good” or “excellent.” The current bylaw still stands for certification, and at the age of 24 months or older, breeders must get OFA certification for dogs bred on OFA preliminary evaluations prior to the next breeding This clause will only be in effect in the event of OVC not accepting xrays for hips & elbows certification.

b) Examined and certified clear of hereditary eye diseases annually, by a licensed American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologist (“ACVO”).

c) It is recommended that Breeders test either sire and/or dam for Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC), and Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM), and only breed clear to clear, clear to carrier or clear to affected. These are becoming standard practices of purebred Labrador Retriever Breeders, and these tests are in place to reduce the risks of diseases in the Purebred Labrador Retriever.

d) Sound in temperament and their quality suitable for breeding.

Bitch owners will only breed their bitch one time back-to-back.

Register all Labrador Retrievers with the C.K.C. and abide by their rules and regulations. Keep accurate breeding records of sire, dam, and litters, pedigrees, sales, and transfers. Only forward copies of accurate records and pedigrees to purchasers of stock or services, and not in and circumstances knowingly be a part of, or contribute to, false registration.

Not sell, consign, transfer puppies or adults to pet stores/shops, wholesale dealers, contest sponsors, lotteries or anyone known to degrade the Labrador Retriever breed or pure-bred dogs, or to individuals breeding and/or selling to the aforementioned.

Members that sell puppies as Pets, must be sold on contracts that enforce spaying/neutering with proof of such to the breeder by the pet owner. This contract may be removed by the Breeder/Member only with proper clearances as provided in 3 a) & b), and adhere to 3c)

Replace once any pup or dog sold by them which is certified OFA/OVC or PennHip evaluated to have Hip Dysplasia that is diagnosed grade 3 or 4 severity, and/or Elbow Dysplasia that is rated grade 3 or 4 up to 2 years of age, or who develops Progressive Retinal Atrophy (“PRA”), Central PRA, or congenital cataracts before 4 years of age. This agreement may be subject to individual breeders’ restrictions.

Will rescue and take back any dog they have produced.

Will be available to all owners that have purchased dogs from them, will assist and provide support when required.

Members must be owners of Labrador Retrievers registered with the C.K.C., A.K.C., or credible purebred registry.