"Most large breed dogs finish growing between 10-and-16 months of age. During this time, they will reach their full height and weight, although some breeds continue to fill out past 16 months. Your large breed puppy requires special attention to his diet during this time, as growing too quickly can actually damage your puppy’s health." (Burke, 2018)
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How to choose food for large breed puppies
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For more information about puppy exercise, growth plates, and why you should wait to spay/neuter your pet please refer to:
https://www.pets4homes.co.uk/pet-advice/puppy-exercise-and-growth-plate-development.html
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Our contract has spaying and neutering between a year and two years. It is best to wait until 18 months for males. Labradors need their hormones to grow and their growth plates to close in order to grow into the standard of lab we all love.
Here are what the initials mean for genetic testing. There are specific health panels for each breed of dog. We test our dogs using the below DNA tests to help us choose the best mates for our girls in order to ensure our puppies will not have these inherited diseases.
Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis (HNPK) in Labrador Retrievers
HNPK affected dogs will develop dry, rough crusts on the tip of the nose. In extreme cases, the dog’s nose will crack causing severe discomfort.
Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC)
Dogs clinically affected by Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC) will often begin to exhibit leg weakness followed by a complete collapse after just 5 to 15 minutes of strenuous activity.
Centronuclear Myopathy in Labrador Retrievers
CNM is an inherited autosomal recessive disorder and is characterized by weight loss, awkward weight gain and exercise intolerance.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd)
PRA-prcd is inherited as an autosomal recessive disease affecting the eye. Degeneration of both rod and cone photoreceptor cells of the retina of PRA-prcd affected dogs usually occurs 3 to 5 years of age or later.
MCD-Macular Corneal Dystrophy
MCD is a relatively rare disease which is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, meaning that both parents must be at least carriers of the disease to produce an affected offspring. The disease affects the eye characterized by a diffuse cloudiness of the cornea as well as an abnormally thin cornea in affected animals.
D-locus (This is a color test)
Associated with the dilution or lightening effect of solid colors, with D being the dominant allele, the dd genotype results in the diluted effect (like grey, blue, silver, lilac, champagne).
Limited registration means that the dog cannot produce AKC registrable litters. However, the dog may participate in most AKC events, including Agility, Obedience and Junior Showmanship.