Disclaimer: this is not veterinary advice.  If you have a concern about your puppy's health, contact your veterinarian!

Protecting growing joints

There is a strong genetic component to joint development; that's why we use OFA testing to examine hip and elbow joint conformation in potential breeding dogs. However, there is also a strong environmental component to joint development. Because of this it is possible for a puppy that came from many generations of excellent hips and normal elbows to develop hip or elbow dysplasia. Aside from genetics, some things that can cause dysplasia/osteoarthritis include:
  • Going up/down flights of stairs a lot as a pup
  • Jumping on/off of elevated surfaces a lot as a pup
  • Being spayed/neutered as a pup
  • Growing up in a house with slippery floors
  • Being crated too much as a pup
  • Performing repetitive or high-impact activities as a pup
  • Excessive exercise on hard surfaces (concrete) as a pup
  • Lack of appropriate exercise as a pup
  • Obesity at any age
  • Trauma/injury at any age

So how can I prevent orthopedic problems in my puppy?

  1. Allow your puppy to have plenty of self-directed, off-leash play time in the yard every day.
  2. Don't take your puppy to the dog park until they are all grown up. 
  3. Don't let your puppy roughhouse with bigger or older dogs.
  4. Block off staircases and ledges in your house, just as you would for a human toddler! Carry your pup up/down flights of stairs, if possible. If your pup must do stairs, carpeted stairs are preferred, as they are easier for puppy to navigate.
  5. If you have hard floors, buy some area rugs & runners for the rooms/hallways he frequents. 
  6. Spay/neuter at around 15-18 months of age.
  7. Try not to crate your puppy for more than a few hours during the day. If you are gone more than that, put up an exercise pen so your puppy can get up and walk around while you are away. Once your pup has done the majority of his "skeletal" growing (i.e. reached adult height), he can spend more time in the crate without running the risk of improper development.
  8. Keep your puppy at a healthy weight. It's expected for them to have some "puppy chub" in the first 4-6 months of life, but after that they should be kept fit and trim. 
  9. Feed dry dog food formulated for large breed puppies with an appropriate calcium/phosphorus content. 
  10. Consider adding a dietary joint supplement such as Cosequin or fish oil to meals. *Avoid calcium supplementation in puppies*

A word on chew toys

Labs are notorious for eating things they shouldn't! The desire to chew is deeply engrained in their brains, so it's important to provide them with plenty of safe things to gnaw on. Our dogs like Ware Gorilla Chews (large size), RedBarn Filled Bones, and any deer antlers that they find outside (you can buy them in stores too). Be sure to throw them away once they get gnawed down into a piece that is small enough to choke on. We do not recommend any sort of plastic, rawhide, or roasted/cooked bones for Labs. 

Body condition

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This is a 5-month-old puppy at a healthy weight & condition.
Labradors were originally bred for retrieving waterfowl in ice-cold water, so contrary to what many people and professionals will tell you, a well-bred Lab at a healthy weight will have a thin layer of fat under their skin to insulate them from the elements. It should feel like they are wearing a light sweater underneath their skin. Ribs & backbone should be able to be felt, but not seen. Your well-bred Lab should have a mild amount of uptuck when viewed from the side. From above, there should be a slight waistline to be seen where the ribs meet the loin. While our Labs do tend to be on the stockier side once they are mature, they should NEVER look like overstuffed sausages. Being overweight predisposes dogs to many health issues, including cancer and endocrine disorders.

At maturity (2+ years old), our females tend to weigh around 70-80 pounds, and the males tend to weigh around 80-90 pounds, depending on bone structure, frame size, and whether they are intact. Consult your vet if you think your dog may be overweight!  

Nutrition

Good nutrition is a MAJOR key to a healthy pet! Dogs have complex dietary needs that are best met through a quality dry dog food. Here are a list of the various foods (with clickable links!) that we like, in no particular order (make sure to select a food that is appropriate for your dog's life stage): Grain-free diets will predispose large breed dogs to heart problems. Dogs do best with an appropriate amount of grain/veggie-derived fiber in their diet. However, dogs cannot convert plant matter into usable protein very efficiently, so vegetarian & vegan diets are not appropriate for dogs. If you just want to add some healthy variety to your dog’s diet, you can mix some cooked meat, veggies, yogurt, and other "dog-safe" foods on top of a high-quality dry dog food!

Veterinary Care

Your puppy will receive his first combo vaccine (covering distemper, hepatitis, parvo, and parainfluenza) prior to leaving for his new home. The rest of the puppy vaccination series is up to you to schedule with your veterinarian. Most vets have puppies visit at 3 months old, 4 months old, and 12 months old for their vaccinations. From then on, they'll likely only need an annual booster (however this can vary from region to region, so trust your veterinarian if they recommend extra vaccines or a different timeline). 
Don't forget to give your dog a monthly heartworm preventative as recommended by your veterinarian, starting right away at 8 weeks old!

Spay/Neuter

Dogs who are altered prior to physical maturity are at an increased risk for orthopedic problems & other health issues. Many vets will press for a pediatric puppy spay/neuter, but I urge you to do some research and consider refraining from altering your large breed dog until they are physically mature. Every breed is different, but for Labradors particularly, I think the optimal time to spay/neuter is between 15-18 months old if possible. By that point, the dog's growth plates have closed and you can maximize the benefits spay/neuter while minimizing the risks. Don't be afraid to discuss this with your veterinarian.