Delaware River Labradors (DRL) offers a 27-month guarantee on your puppy against heritable hip, elbow and eye defects. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and The Canine Eye Research Foundation (CERF) will verify the condition of your dog's hips, elbows and eyes and provide documented certification for each.
 
In recent years DNA tests have been developed for Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC), Centro-Nuclear Myopathy (CNM) and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). With the advent of this DNA testing, the genes that contribute to the three preceding conditions have been identified. DRL guarantees that our puppies will be "non-affected" for these conditions.My dogs have also been tested negative for the D locus to ensure that no silvers, charcoals or champagnes will be produced.
 
OFA will accept hip and elbow x-rays taken after the dog reaches 24 months of age. CERF will verify the condition of your dog's eyes and you need to have your dog's hips and eyes examined before the dog reaches 27 months old. While most veterinarians will take the hip x-ray, only certified canine ophthalmologists can give a CERF exam. X-rays and eye exams dated after the dog reaches 27 months old are not valid towards the guarantee.
 
Also, the dog must not be bred, voluntarily or otherwise, before its second birthday. A pregnancy prior to 24 months of age will void the guarantee regardless of gender. Dogs should be x-rayed for hips and elbows after their second birthday and before the guarantee expires. A Cerf examination may be performed any time after the dog's first birthday. Any transfer of ownership also voids the health guarantee.
Any claim of a heritable hip, elbow or eye defect must be accompanied by OFA or CERF documentation of the defect. The dog must also be neutered or spayed and written proof provided to DRL by your veterinarian.
In the case of a valid heritable defect in your dog, DRL is obligated to replace the dog from a future breeding.