There are several health schemes relevant to the Labrador Retriever breed. You may be familiar with the hip scoring and eye testing schemes, but with continuing advances in genetics new ways of screening for hereditory defects are being introduced.
Hip scoring is done to check on the degree of Hip Dysplasia (HD) present, and is a one off procedure. Ideally a dog should have a total score (i.e. both hips added together) of around the breed mean of 15 to be suitable to be bred from. Eyes should be tested on an annual basis to ensure that there are no hereditary defects emerging, which could be passed on to progeny.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) refers to degenerative conditions that cause impaired vision and eventually blindness. Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM) is an incurable disease that presents from 2 to 5 months and severely inhibits muscle development. With the advent of relatively simple testing it is becoming more common that breeders screen for these conditions.