Labradoodles at Rainmaker Ranch
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International Labradoodle Association

Labradoodle Health Information
 
 
 

Labradoodle Health is our Top Criteria!

Never purchase a labradoodle or Australian Labradoodle that does not have genetically tested parents and if possible comes from a superior genetically tested line, plus a health guarantee! You will receive a vet healthy puppy report including shot record with your new puppy & a three-year health guarantee of no HD, VonWilabrands, Elbow, Thyroid, & patella disorders. We have our breeding poodle & labradoodle parents checked for HD (hip dysphasia), Elbow (elbow dysphasia), & Thyroid Labradoodle care disorders & are OFA Good or Excellent to ensure the lowest possible genetic passing of these disorders. In addiiton annual CERF/ACVO eye exams and Brucella Canis tests.

Health and Labradoodles and Australian Labradoodles

First, I would like to state that the MAIN reason for selecting breeding dogs that are a top representation of their breed (Poodle, Lab, Labradoodle or Australian Labradoodle) in Health, Temperament, and Conformation is the resulting puppies are top in health temperament and conformation. There is NO QUESTION; a puppy is a direct result of its parents and pedigree.

Hybrid Vigor and Health Concerns Present Regardless

Some breeders use this term to sell you on Doodles or mixed breed dogs, regarding one health concern, hybrid vigor is a positive step specific to mixed breed dogs, beware it only affects one concern. When pure bred dogs are bred the lines are crossed over and over, possible negative genetic traits are reintroduced again and again. If line or inbreeding is practiced possible negative genetic traits are reintroduced at even higher rates. Typically for a disease like Addison’s disease to be expressed in a dog it requires the genetic trait to be passed by both parents. If it is only passed by one parent the trait is recessive and the dog never shows any signs or symptoms of the disease in its lifetime. Therefore, if a breed like the poodle has been known to carry SA (a skin condition) and a breed like Labrador is known not to carry SA, then the first generation breeding of these dogs cannot express SA. This is a positive health affect of hybrid vigor. Once a Labradoodle is bred to another Labradoodle or another Poodle in this specific case of SA, the hybrid vigor influence is diluted.

The primary reason to advocate for hybrid vigor is temperament. For generations pure bred dogs have been inbreed and line breed to reduce size or create the perfect conformation standard. Or another dog was selected as a breeding dog specifically due to its size of conformation, its ability to produce smaller offspring or win in the show ring over temperament was the concern. This has lead to poor temperament offspring in general. The out crossing to unrelated lines, if selecting breeding dogs with temperament as top criteria, begets top temperament puppies. Yeah for hybrid vigor. Furthermore it has been proven that, in general, the more unlike (hetergeneous) two animals are the more healthy their offspring.

On the flip side, if both breeds carry a disease hybrid vigor has absolutely no affect for this specific disease. This is why health testing breeding dogs is so critical. Health testing breeding dogs costs about $1000 to $1500 per dog, but is NECESSARY for a breeder to know what they are producing and to support a positive step in reducing health incidents in Labradoodles and Australian Labradoodles. Diseases that are of concern to Poodles, Labs and all other breeds used in Australian Labradoodles are Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Heart conditions, Eye conditions, and Thyroid Conditions. All breeders should be testing their breeding dogs by completing Hip and Elbow testing (either OFA, PennHIP or BVA test), Heart Screening, Eye testing (CERF or other), and Complete CBC with Thyroid panel before breeding a dog AND removing those that do not pass these tests from their breeding program.

The Miniature Labradoodle and its resulting health issues

When breeding dogs a breeder should NEVER breed two dogs together that vary more than 4 inches in height. Bone structure and weight are critically related. In reducing the size of dogs a breeder should be gradually reducing the litters by breeding two dogs not more than 4 inches in height variance together, selecting a top example in the offspring, then breeding that dog to an unrelated dog not more than 4 inches shorter and again selecting an offspring. This practice gradually reduces the offspring in each litter about 2 to 3 inches. Generally, reducing the line by 6 inches within 3 generations results. If you find a breeder breeding a toy poodle to a lab, cross them off your selection list. This should NEVER be done and is a backward step in the producing healthy Labradoodles.

Rainmaker Ranch HEALTH GUARANTEE

There are many, many diseases that affect dogs. Some are contagious and some are inherited. A proper vaccination program can greatly reduce the chances of your puppy becoming ill with most of the more deadly viruses. A complete vaccination/medical history will accompany the puppy/dog at the time of sale. Another very good way to help protect your puppy is really just common sense; do not expose it to these diseases! Call your vet prior to bringing your puppy to the office, and ask if there are any canines on site with Parvo virus, Coronavirus or Distemper. If so, reschedule your appointment! If your puppy is under 16 weeks of age, ask for the first appointment of the day, when everything has been cleaned and disinfected the night before. Do not put your puppy on the floor or allow you puppy to come into contact with any other pet. Do not allow it to walk in the area which everyone's dogs use as a toilet. Do not take it to pet shops at this young age, either.

The puppy being purchased is guaranteed to be current on its DA2PL+CPV and bordetella vaccinations, and to have passed a veterinarian's examination. Buyer will be provided with a copy of the health certificate. Buyer understands that the puppy will need boosters of the initial vaccinations, generally spaced three weeks apart, until the DA2PL+CPV "puppy series" is completed, and then once annually thereafter.

GENERAL HEALTH GUARANTEE

As stated, you will receive a vet healthy puppy report including shot record with your new puppy & a three-year health guarantee of no HD, PRA prcd, VonWilabrands, Elbow, Thyroid, & patella disorders

The puppy/dog must be taken to a licensed veterinarian within 4 days (96) hours (excluding Saturday and Sunday) of purchase. This is a requirement of sale and warrantee. This visit is to ensure you that the puppy was delivered healthy and to ensure us that you are on track to veterinary care and have see, in person, a veterinarian. Rainmaker Ranch Labradoodles (RRL) guarantees this puppy/dog to be free of Parvo, Distemper, Coronavirus, Parainfuenza and Adenovirus Type II for a period of 1 week from the puppy's last vaccination date and for a period of seven (7) days from date of sale. If deemed to be unhealthy, unfit or unsound in any way, the puppy/dog will be replaced by another puppy/dog of comparable value OR RRL will pay directly to the attending veterinarian for treatment of the puppy up to $2000. (RRL reserves the right to postpone the replacement of a puppy/dog for any reason) OR RRL will refund upon return of the puppy the full purchase price of the puppy. In this case RRL will arrange for return of the puppy which may require veterinary care prior to return at RRL expense.

IF the buyer wishes to return the puppy the following applies. The puppy/dog must be returned within seventy-two (72) hours of purchase (excluding Saturday and Sunday IF shipping is required) and must be accompanied by all paperwork supplied by RRL at the time of sale, and a written statement from the licensed veterinarian clearly stating defect or illness. Sick puppies/dogs may not be returned to RRL's home, therfore two things may happen. One, if the puppy is suitable to travel, it is the responsibility of the purchaser to contact RRL to arrange another place to meet. (This is to prevent healthy puppies/dogs at RRL from becoming ill.) RRL would never knowingly sell a sick puppy/dog and the purchaser agrees that RRL could not have been aware of any illness or defect unable to be detected by a licensed veterinarian. Two, RRL may have the attending veterinarian treat the puppy until healthy and able to be returned to RRL. In this case, RRL will pay for treatment then arrange for the puppies return; upon return either a replacement puppy or full refund will be provided.

In any of the three cases (refund, treatment, or exchange) RRL will provide written documentation as the course of action to the buyer immediately following any email, telephone or voicemail conversations.

Non Emergencies: If a puppy/dog is found to have a health problem at it's initial veterinarian visit and it is NOT considered an emergency and the purchaser opts to treat this puppy/dog instead of exchanging it for another puppy/dog, RRL is not responsible for any expenses incurred or for the death of the puppy/dog, as RRL was not contacted as to the issue and offered the opportunity for RRLs veterinarian to discuss treatment with the attending veterinarian. In this case it is up to the buyer to send RRL a copy of the receipt of the visit and medical treatment and it is RRLs' choice as to offer a refund of treatment.

Emergencies: If the puppy at anytime is considered ill, please address this as an emergency situation, call a veterinarian immediately, if your veterinarian is not open, contact a 24 hour veterinarian in your area. Determine with the veterinarian if the situation is an actual emergency and get the puppy the care that is required! RRL will cover all emergency care up to $2000 paid directly to the attending veterinarian at the time of care via credit card. Please contact Rainmaker Ranch Labradoodles as soon as possible AFTER getting the puppy to the veterinarian. Our first focus is the puppy.

**RRL's health, hip and genetic guarantee does not apply if any injury, illness, disease or fatality develops as a direct result of the dog being overweight or malnourished, including but not limited to hip dysphasia (see hip guarantee), heart disease, joint problems, etc.

HIP GUARANTEE

This hip guarantee applies only to those puppies/dogs bred by Rainmaker Ranch Labradoodles and only to the original purchaser. If the original purchaser contacts RRL as to the rehome of a puppy and RRL is given all the information of the second home/family, this warrentee follows the puppy. Seller does hereby guarantee this puppy/dog to have acceptable hip joint conformation as determined by the OFA. If this puppy's/dog's hips are rejected for OFA certification between two (2) and three (3) years of age, seller will replace this puppy/dog with another puppy of comparable value from our next available litter. (OFA results that are considered rejections are: Mild, Moderate or Severe CHD.) OFA is a standard as which to determine extent of hip dysphasia. The genetic guarantee covers Leggs Perthes disease for 3 years with documentation of condition by OFA radiologist. Replacement puppy will be of the same breed, sex and color as the original puppy/dog unless otherwise agreed to by both parties. If a replacement puppy is not the choice of the buyer, RRL offers payment up to the purchase price of the puppy or $2000 whichever is less paid directly to the attending veterinarian for treatment of the condition or surgery for the condition.

Replacement puppy will be provided between eight (8) and sixteen (16) weeks of age. Seller is bound by this guarantee if and only if the following conditions are met:
  • Seller must be notified of OFA rejection within thirty (30) days of its postmark.
  • OFA rejection and a written statement from a licensed veterinarian who took the x-rays must accompany the request.
  • Original puppy/dog must not ever have been hit by a vehicle or suffered any other physical trauma capable of causing lameness of any type, for any duration. Any such trauma will render this guarantee null and void. Any condition of obesity or malnourishment for any duration will render this guarantee null and void.
  • Any returned animal must be accompanied by any and all paperwork supplied by RRL at the time of sale, as well as a written statement from a licensed veterinarian indicating the following:
  • All shots are and have been kept current.
  • Puppy/dog has had a negative fecal within thirty (30) days.
  • Puppy/dog has had a negative heartworm test within thirty (30) days and has been kept on heartworm preventive.
  • Puppy/dog appears to be healthy and well cared for.
*Any replacement puppy may not have both the same parents as the original.

GENETIC HEALTH GUARANTEE

This guarantee applies only to dogs/puppies bred Rainmaker Ranch Labradoodles, and only to the original purchaser of the dog/puppy. If the original purchaser contacts RRL as to the rehome of a puppy and RRL is given all the information of the second home/family, this warrentee follows the puppy. Seller does hereby guarantee this puppy/dog to be free of any verifiably inherited conditions that are detrimental to the puppy's/dog's health. If this puppy/dog dies or is severely crippled from a documented inherited condition, prior to three (3) years of age, RRL will replace the puppy/dog with one of comparable value. . If a replacement puppy is not the choice of the buyer, RRL offers payment up to the purchase price of the puppy or $2000 whichever is less paid directly to the attending veterinarian for treatment of the condition or surgery for the condition. Seller is bound by this guarantee if and only if the following conditions are met.
  • Seller must be notified within thirty (30) days of diagnosis of condition or death of puppy/dog.
  • Request must be accompanied by a necropsy report if the puppy/dog is deceased, and absolute, verifiable diagnosis of the inherited condition in either case, including but not limited to, a statement from a licensed veterinarian and copies of relevant lab reports or DNA tests. (It is the responsibility of the purchaser to document a genetic disorder.)
  • Original puppy/dog may be kept by the purchaser or returned to RRL at the option of the purchaser. Returned animals must be accompanied by any and all paperwork supplied at the time of sale.
BASIC CARE AGREEMENT

This agreement is a "condition of sale" and applies to all our dogs and puppies bred Rainmaker Ranch Labradoodle. It is included for the purpose of providing for the puppy's/dog's continued health and well being. Violation of this agreement invalidates all other guarantees. Purchaser does hereby agree to take good and reasonable care of this puppy/dog, including but not limited to the following:
  • Purchaser must provide all required vaccinations from the time of purchase as recommended by the purchaser's veterinarian, and annually thereafter unless otherwise recommended by purchaser's veterinarian.
  • Rabies shots must be provided as recommended by purchaser's veterinarian and/or required by law.
  • Any parasites, internal or external, must be promptly eliminated.
  • Puppy/dog must be started on heartworm preventative as soon as purchaser's veterinarian feels is appropriate.
  • Clean, fresh water and proper food, in sufficient amounts must be provided.
  • Puppy/dog may not be allowed out, unattended, unless within a secure enclosure.
  • Puppy cannot be sold or given to a third party without consent of Rainmaker Ranch Labradoodles and never given or sold to a breeder, puppy store, research facility or puppy mill.
  • Buyer agrees that if at any time the buyer wishes to destroy or give away the dog, Buyer will give RRL every opportunity to help in rehoming the dog, which must not be destroyed, or relinquished to a pound or shelter. Include if you will offer any reimbursement or not including shipping.
*Please note that the General, Hip and Genetic Guarantees have end dates. These dates will be when the contract is void. The Basic Care Agreement DOES NOT have an end date and is valid for the lifetime of the dog!

Birthdate:__________________ Shipping or Pick up: __________

Genetic Guarantee & Hip Guarantee End Date 3 years from Birthdate

Rainmaker Ranch has signed and initialed all three pages of this agreement

PURCHASER:__________________________________________

RRL: __________________________________________

Please use this time to look up the emergency 24 hour veterinarian in your area and write down the number in your phone book.

(c) 1995-2007 Photos and Text, Rainmaker Ranch Labradoodles and Australian Labradoodle Dogs and Puppies photographed by Rainmaker and Photohound Dog Photography