A few clarifications/additions to the posts above. At the very least a breeder should be able to provide a 3 generation pedigree. It may or may not show all titles achieved by the parents (AKC/UKC). AKC pedigrees won't show UKC titles and vice versa. Also, if the pedigree was produced prior to the dog achieving any field titles then it won't show it. You can still verify this through a number of sources such as the AKC website, calling UKC or
www.findretrievers.com. The breeder should provide clearances for hips, eyes, CNM and EIC (these can generally be found on
www.offa.org). Keep in mind not all breeders check the elbows, thyroid or heart. Just because they don't doesn't mean they're trying to hide something. As far as EIC/CNM goes, if the parents are clear then the pups will be clear. The parents usually won't be tested if the grandparents are "clear" (clear by parentage). If this is stated then you can verify it. Just because a pup is an EIC/CNM carrier there shouldn't be any reason to shy away from it. A carrier will never be affected. Keep in mind that if you're looking for a cheap pup chances are you won't find one with all the necessary clearances or titles. If you have any questions you are welcome to call me and I'll help you out.