Umbilical hernia - Labrador pup - should we avoid?

[ED209]

Well after our poor beloved Lab pup Lucy had to be put to sleep 3 weeks ago at only 4 months old. The Mrs has just been on the phone to inform me she has been looking at pups tonight.

There a KC assured breeder who are very local to us and known to a friend. Thing is 2 of the pups (bhes) have umbilical hernias. Now I havent seen the dogs but
the Mrs seems quite keen.

Now is an umbilical hernia a reason not to buy a dog? I believe it is best not to breed from a dog with a hernia, this is fine as we have no intention of breeding however Is it likley that a hernia will cause long term or serious health problems?

I am still gutted about loosing one pup and to be honest I dont really want another so soon but it looks like the mrs does. I dont however want to go through the pain of loosing another pup.

[AdiT]

My Weim' has one. Four years old now and never been a problem. I'm no expert but vet says not to worry about it.

[Thevet]

An umbilical hernia is usually not a risk to health, but it depends if any of the bowel can squeeze thro and become trapped.....not easy to quantify the risk. However, I would suggest any asking price is reduced by the cost of surgical repair. Unless the hernia is so small that any lump of fat that is in the hernia, can't move either way, in which case it shouldn't need surgical interference. HTH

[astroarcadia]

Our working cocker had one. No problems with it, had it checked by vet who said no issue.

Vet said not worthy of surgical removal unless going under GA for neutering, which we did with no problems.

In fact I had forgot she had a hernia until reading this thread.