Retriever (Labrador)

Good Practice schemes and tests

We strongly recommend that breeders, at a minimum, conduct these tests before breeding, as evidence indicates these conditions are a significant concern in the breed.

• DNA test for Centronuclear myopathy (CNM) - Find a list of tested dogs here
• DNA test for Exercise induced collapse (EIC) - Find a list of tested dogs here
• DNA test for Macular corneal dystrophy (MCD) - Find a list of tested dogs here
• DNA test for Progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA) - Find a list of tested dogs here
• DNA test for Skeletal dysplasia (SD2) - Find a list of tested dogs here
• DNA test for Stargadt disease (STGD) - Find a list of tested dogs here
• Elbow testing (for elbow dysplasia) using the BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme
• Hip testing (for hip dysplasia) using the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
• NEW test amended June 2025 – Eye testing using the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme. This test will be added formally to the Health Standard and Find a Puppy from Dec 2025 and breeders should ensure their dog is tested for this, and other pertinent tests, prior to this date to meet Good Practice

Best Practice schemes and tests

These tests address conditions that are still significant for the breed, though they may not be as critical as those listed under Good Practice. They might be less common or newly identified, and research is ongoing to determine their full impact.

To support the breed’s health, responsible breeders should ensure they complete all tests in both categories. Following our Best Practice guidelines means completing both the Good Practice and Best Practice tests for your breed.

• DNA test for hereditary nasal parakeratosis (HNPK) - Find a list of tested dogs here

This breed can be affected by conformational concerns, more information can be found here

Click here to find out more about The Kennel Club's health standard

Find out about a particular dog's results

Please visit our Health Test Results Finder to discover the DNA or screening scheme test results for any dog on The Kennel Club's Breed or Activity Register.

You can also view the inbreeding coefficient calculation for a puppy's parents, or for a dog you're thinking of breeding from.

To support your health testing journey, we provide our tailored Retriever (Labrador) Breed-Specific DNA Package. Giving you the information you need about potential health risks, this package includes screening for Centronuclear myopathy (CNM), Progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA), Skeletal dysplasia 2, (SD2 Stargardt disease (STGD), Macular corneal dystrophy (MCD), Dilute (D-locus, d1 variant) and DNA Profile (SNP - ISAG 2020).

7 essential tests valued at £375 for just £150, that screen for multiple conditions at once, saving you time and providing vital health information. 

Throughout 2025 we ran a major review of our pedigree dog health work, from which we have developed a new model called the breeding for health framework.

This framework covers all aspects of health and welfare that should influence breeding decisions for any breed or type of dog, building on from our previous Breed Health and Conservation Plans, and is broken down into three main areas of health:

• inbreeding/ genetic diversity
• conformation
• breed-related disease/ wellbeing

By applying the breeding for health framework, we can group all the breeds that share a certain issue together, so that we can provide targeted support and breed communities can share relevant experiences and expertise. All previous actions and priorities from the Breed Health and Conservation Plans are being transitioned into the new framework.

You can read more about the breeding for health framework here, and watch this space as we update and progress this framework to apply to your breed

If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed then you may wish to speak to your vet or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator.

Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed. They acts as a spokesperson on matters of health and will collaborate with The Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.

To contact your breed health co-ordinator please email either 

or 

Joy Venturi-Rose

Where the two parent dogs are both yellow it is only genetically possible to produce yellow puppies. Therefore, The Kennel Club will only accept the registration of yellow puppies from this mating.

Where the two parent dogs are both chocolate (liver) it is only genetically possible to produce chocolate (liver) or yellow puppies. Therefore, The Kennel Club will only accept the registration of chocolate (liver) or yellow puppies from this mating.