Having made the decision to breed from Tilly, we want to make sure that we are doing this properly. We are well aware that Labradors can experience hip problems in later life, but until we started talking to people and also researching stud dogs, we didn't know much about the health tests that are recommended.

We had already had a quote for a hip test, some time ago, and quite honestly, it was frightening how expensive it seemed. After a lot more research and talking to experienced people, we discovered that the first quote was indeed very expensive and it had certainly paid to do the research, as we have since discovered that we have probably saved a couple of hundred pounds!

Time however, is of the essence, as Tilly is due to come into season, mid May. So it is really important to get these health tests done as quickly as possible.

Having spoken to a potential stud dog owner, we have found that the sensible order of health checks is as follows.

First get the eyes tested- as this is the cheapest test to do (Cost £48). However, only specialist vets do this. We travelled to Huddersfield with Tilly (a four hour round trip) – so if we added the fuel costs as well, it would probably be another £20.  If the dog's eyes are not clear, then it is probably not worth continuing with the breeding process. Thankfully, Tilly's eyes were classified as "clinically unaffected", so this meant that we could breath a sigh of relief and move on to the next test.

The next test, being the hips scored. You can, at the same time, get the elbows done (which apparently is trickier than the hips, as x rays need to be taken of both straight leg and bent legs).  Some vets will anaesthetise the dogs, in order to carry out this procedure. However, in our case the vet we have chosen is so experienced,  that she is going to sedate the dog, which is a method that we prefer.  She is also able to give an approximation of the hip score on the day, which is what we want, since we are so close to the start of Tilly's season. We need to know if she has any hip problems prior to breeding with her. If the hip score turns out to be bad – we will not be breeding.  This is an expensive business as the hip score and elbows test is approx £250. (Actually a good price, as we were previously quoted £400!)

We are now awaiting the  official results of Tilly's hip score, as the vet now has to send the results of the x rays that have been taken, to the BVA (British Vetinary Association). Apparently there is a panel of 12 vets who assess the results and two of them will make a judgement on Tilly's x rays. Once they have made an assessment, this score will be sent back to the vets, who in turn will inform us! As you can see, this process can take some time, anywhere between 3 and 8 weeks, we have been told!!!

Since we do not have 8 weeks, as Tilly is due in season any time soon, we have had a preliminary score given to us. The score is 5,4 which is a very respectable score for hips. The vet told us that the breed average is 14. Basically, you add the two scores together, in Tilly's case this is 9, and compare this to the breed average.  The vet is expecting the official score to be a little lower than she has told us, so we are waiting with baited breath!!!

She also scored the elbows, which were 0,0 a perfect score!!!!

The vet has told us, that based on what she has seen, she is more than happy for us to continue the process of breeding, with Tilly.  It helps that she also knows  the stud dog that we are thinking of using, so we have been given the "green light" to continue!

Follow our next post as we decide on a stud dog for Tilly, and also hopefully we will have the official hip score!!