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Here's a link on the genetics of dwarfism and the eye abnormalities that go with it:



http://www.math.uiowa.edu/~stroyan/Shoho...



Here's another one:



http://www.justamere.com/newsletter/prob...



If you didn't find out the vet for the breeder before you purchased from them, do you have the AKC papers listing the pedigree and registration numbers for the sire and dam? Also, do you know if she belongs to the Labrador Retriever Club of America? If she shows, she probably does.



Here's their link:



http://www.thelabradorclub.com/



The Lab Club may have some ethics processes, but the AKC really doesn't do much besides keep a registry and take your money for registering them. They are typically completely unhelpful in cases like these, and will refer you to your state puppy lemon laws, if you have one. In a state with a puppy lemon law, you may be able to get back the purchase price of your puppy, if you can document that your puppy showed a genetic illness. Here's a link for puppy lemon law info:



http://www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/lemo...



Here's the website for the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC). They may be able to direct you:



http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/



If you can find out what other clubs she may belong to, and contact someone in charge there and see what their ethics rules are, you may get lucky. It's my understanding that this is more common in field line labs, so check out whatever field trialing registry she may belong to, too. A smaller club may be more helpful to you than the AKC, frankly.



I'd send her a certified letter so you have documentation of your efforts to try to contact her. I'd also consider small claims court as well.



Good luck. Your dog is lucky to have found a wonderful owner like you, and I hope you find a way to keep this breeder from producing more puppies with these terrible problems.

Was the dog sold with a health garuntee? Unless it was in your contract that you would be partially reimbursed if the dog exhibited a genetic disorder, you probably arn't entitled to one. It's VERY important when buying a purebred dog to find a reputable breeder who has a contract that you would be happy with in cases like this.



Also the AKC doesn't work like that - they are a purebred dog registry. Not a stamp of quality.



double check the fine print of your contract - you may be able to take the breeder to small claims if she is in violation of it.

Since it's incredibly rare and recessive, it's very likely that they just didn't know that the dogs had these genes as they were never tested for it. That said, I do strongly suggest you try to get in touch with the breeder again and/or report her to the AKC. The way she clearly wanted to just cut and run from the situation by not calling you back is inexcusable for a breeder, especially when one or more of her stock is at risk of making unhealthy puppies.

I would contact AKC about this at the least. The dogs should not be bred again.



As for her helping you out, it doesn't sound like she's a reputable breeder at all. At the least she should have offered words if not money. If you have a contract with her please go over it and see what it says about pups having genetic problems.



It's getting so that being registered with AKC means almost nothing. Most puppy mill dogs are AKC registered.

do you have a contract with this breeder? Is there a guarantee against herditary or congentical defects? If so, she is liable to hold up her end of the contract. If there is no contract you may be out of luck.



You can contact the AKC and inform them of this problem.. that doesnt mean they wont accept registrations for pups from this litter tho.



You may want to consider submitting something to the OFA database tho.. that may help show a record that those 2 dogs are producing a genetic defect. http://offa.org/

I am very sorry for your dog. In my breed we also have this problem but luckyly not here is the U; and the US breeders are working vey hard to erradicate this problem. Yes the breeder of sire and dam need to be informed but I find it truely disgusting that your breeder has never contacted you again.



Good luck with your dog.

About the AKC. They claim they only register dogs and will accept registrations from any breeder who has the paperwork. They set and expect no health standards. The only reason people think they are a better registry is because they are established, but they do no monitoring of their breeders except for the commercial breeders.



They only accept complaints (about conditions of a kennel) if the breeder is licensed (commercial bulk breeder), and they accept complaints if you think your pup was not from the parents claimed (is not pure).



I would still complain to the AKC, just in case there is a place where complaints are recorded. I would be mad at the breeder as well if that was the reaction - not reputable at all (no matter what else they do). If the breeder was involved with a breed club, that is the better place to lodge a complaint.



There are whole breeds that are dwarfed - deliberately aiming for this effect . . . so yes it exists in dogs. Dwarf Shepherds are also heard of. You mentioned the Bulldog, and from what I understand so is the Pekingese, the Corgi and the Daschund. The genes that cause dwarfism do differ in the breeds.

This is obviously not a good breeder. However, the AKC is simply a registry. Complaining to them is like complaining to DMV because you bought a car and it was a lemon.



If the breeder is a member of any clubs, like the Labrador Club, I would report her to them instead.



Do you have any sort of contract or guarantee? Does it allow for a refund of any sort? If so, I would continue to pursue the issue of compensation with the breeder. Threaten lawsuit if she doesn't respond. Document everything.



If there is no contract or guarantee, or if all it offers you is a replacement, then you are more than likely out of luck.