Before we get excited, it is not for me! My mum and stepdad are going to see a litter of red fox labradoodles today. They are already 8 weeks old. Any advice on what to check and look out for when they are there? They will be there in an hour or so, I’ve only just heard about it! Pups’ mum and grandma are there, but not the dad. Any advice would be great - I don’t know about pups!
Advice for first viewing of litter
- Thread starter Lara_Pigletina
- Start date
Oh and she says mum’s hip score is 4-7 and Dad is hip 3-3. I don’t know what this means...good or bad or ok?
Leanne
Sniffer Dog
- Location
- Shropshire, UK
You add then hip scores together for a total.
Personally I think 4-7 is quite high as the total is 11 - I wouldn’t want any more than 10 personally but I know well bred dogs that have up to 14 (which I believe is the breed limit for labs)
I would ask about how many litters mums had, have they stayed in touch with any owners? Obviously there is no kennel club protection due to crossbreed so is the breeder registered with the council?
Personally I think 4-7 is quite high as the total is 11 - I wouldn’t want any more than 10 personally but I know well bred dogs that have up to 14 (which I believe is the breed limit for labs)
I would ask about how many litters mums had, have they stayed in touch with any owners? Obviously there is no kennel club protection due to crossbreed so is the breeder registered with the council?
Leanne
Sniffer Dog
- Location
- Shropshire, UK
Oh and check that eyes have been checked in both mum and dad as both breeds are prone to eye issues.
And elbow scoring (should be 0/0)
And elbow scoring (should be 0/0)
From personal experience I'd also want elbow scores too. I'm the wrong person to ask, we went with heart not head... 
Worth checking if they are coming already insured which can be crucial.... it was for us as we wouldn't have been covered if we had started a new policy after we picked him up.
Worth checking if they are coming already insured which can be crucial.... it was for us as we wouldn't have been covered if we had started a new policy after we picked him up.
Just doing a quick google (Health Screening) it seems that the average UK hip score for labradoodles is 12 (with mum’s being 11 that sounds average).
Labradoodles have all the issues Labs might have, so they’ll want scores for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Apparently poodles also have issues with Von Willebrands disease (a blood disorder), Addison’s disease (a pituitary disorder) and allergies/skin problems, so worth asking about that too - i.e. any history in the family.
@Leanne ’s points on number of litters and ‘aftercare’ are really good too. Also ask about inbreeding - they should have a coefficient of inbreeding (CoI) score which basically shows how inbred they may be, apparently 8% is usual for labradoodles. Good luck to them, hope it’s a positive visit!
Labradoodles have all the issues Labs might have, so they’ll want scores for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Apparently poodles also have issues with Von Willebrands disease (a blood disorder), Addison’s disease (a pituitary disorder) and allergies/skin problems, so worth asking about that too - i.e. any history in the family.
@Leanne ’s points on number of litters and ‘aftercare’ are really good too. Also ask about inbreeding - they should have a coefficient of inbreeding (CoI) score which basically shows how inbred they may be, apparently 8% is usual for labradoodles. Good luck to them, hope it’s a positive visit!
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
@Sophiedoodle is the doodle expert.
Leanne
Sniffer Dog
- Location
- Shropshire, UK
Oh and ideally do not take the puppy today! It’s really easy to do that especially if they are 8 weeks but even if they go for a drive first to discuss how they felt about the visit first before collecting as it’s hard to make a informed decision when you have a cute bundle of fluff on your lap!
- Location
- East Sussex
On the other hand don't panic if they do bring one home. I know the advice to look into health scores is very sensible, but I have to confess Molly (and all my previous dogs) were impulse buys and turned out fine. (I did know that once they were mine that was it, for better or worse kind of thing!)
This is great, thank you all! Anything specific to look out for with temperament of the pup or too early to see?
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Well, I’d be concerned if I saw any wariness or fearfulness in either the pups or in the parents. Will they get to see both dam and sire?
Pick the cheeky bold one
Leanne
Sniffer Dog
- Location
- Shropshire, UK
At 8 weeks they should respond to attempts to play with them.
Only dam and dam’s mum.
I’m going to order them the happy puppy handbook, is that the best one do you think?
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Actually, the maximum score is the same across all breeds and is 106. The 5- and 15-year median for Labs is 9 and for poodles is 10. So the 4-7 is a little higher than average. HOWEVER, I’ve also read that there’s no understood reason for a difference between the two sides, so it’s often assumed that when one is higher than the other, that the worse one is likely caused by trauma. Everything to do with the genetics of hip scoring is a bit fuzzy. It’s worth looking up the EBV (estimated breeding value) for both parents, as that gives an idea of dysplasia within their lines.
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
I would go this every time if I had the choice! It’s far easier and more fun to work with a confident dog than a fearful one, even if they sometimes have you tearing your hair out!Pick the cheeky bold one
Leanne
Sniffer Dog
- Location
- Shropshire, UK
Sorry by breed limit I meant the recommended max by KC.
It’s the only one we had so I can’t compare, but in our early (even more) inexperienced days it really helped with the basics and managing expectations. This is the contents page if it helps:
Thank you that is helpful!