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It is very important to make sure your puppy comes from quality parents that have gone through
extensive health testing to make sure they are suitable for breeding and will produce healthy puppies.
My doggies are all tested and cleared for the following:

OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) Hips or PennHIP:
These are both methods of determining if the dog has good enough hip joints that they or their
offspring will be less prone to developing hip dysplaysia. Both methods require local
anesthesia....which is scary for any dog to be put under but this is needed so the Vet can get the
perfect x-rays OFA and PennHIP need for evaluation. OFA and PennHIP differ slightly, OFA gives
ratings of Excellent, Good, Fair and Poor to determing where the dog is in terms of hip tightness -
Fair, Good and Excellent are passing ratings. This is done with one X-ray. PennHip compares the
patient dog with other dogs of the same breed and rates them in comparison to how the other dogs
scored. This is done with three different x-rays of the dogs hips taken in three different positions,
so it is more precise than OFA testing is. PennHIP also tests how succeptable the dog is to developing
DJD (Degenerative Joint Disease).
OFA Hip prelim ratings are given to any dog under the age of 2 years old. Many breeders including
myself test dogs as early as 4 months old and then retest for their final OFA grade once 2 years old
if the results are Good or better.
Learn more here: www.offa.org/hd_grades.html

OFA Elbows:
This is a test done to determine that the dog has normal elbow structure and that there are no signs
of degenerative changes in the bones. There is no rating for normal elbows, there is just a certificate
from OFA that you get stating there was no evidence of Elbow Dysplaysia found. Many breeders
choose to test for Hips only, but you figure elbows are just as important and should also be included
in the parent dogs testings.
Learn more here: www.offa.org/ed_types.html

OFA Thyroid: We test bi-annually to make sure things haven't changed.
Hypothyroid causes poor coat, weight gain, conception problems, lethargy and grumpiness. Left
untreated more serious neurological and muscular problems can result. It is easily treated with daily
medication, but dogs who have this condition should not be bred. This is a blood sample test sent to
MSU that is cleared and then certified by OFA that the Thyroid is normal.
Learn more here: www.offa.org/thy_info.html

OFA Patella:
Testing the patellas is easy, it is done by a Veterinarian and they move and manipulate the knee cap to
make sure the tendon stays into place and doesn't pop out. The patella, or kneecap, is part of the
stifle joint (knee). In patellar luxation, the kneecap luxates, or pops out of place, either in a medial or
lateral position.
Learn more here: www.offa.org/pl_overview.html

EYE Testing:
My dogs undergo two different test for their eyes.
#1 test-CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation)
This is an annual exam that needs to be done every year for breeding dogs. The best way to more
learn about CERF and how it works is to go here www.vmdb.org/history.html

#2 test is PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) DNA test. This is done with a DNA sample that you
get from swabbing the dogs cheek and then you send it to Optigen and within 10 days you have the
results. Per the Veterinarian Opthamologist at the CERF testing clinic PRA DNA and CERF
exams check for different things and both should be done for breeding dogs to screen for ALL
inherited eye problems.
Learn more here: www.optigen.com/opt9_test_prcd_pra.html

vWD type I (von Willebrand Disease):
This is an inherited bleeding disorder. It affects the bloods ability to clot, excessive bleeding is the
main symptom. Bleeding generally occurs after a wound or surgery. In these cases the blood does not
clot in the normal time, and bleeding is extensive. This test is also done using DNA almost in the same
manner as with PRA, a swab is sent in and tested within 10 days you have the results.
Learn more here: www.vetgen.com/canine-vwd1.html

DNA Screened Diseases:
My dogs have all been DNA tested and Screened for 19 diseases tested by Pawsitive I.D
(now InGen)., they also have a genetic fingerprint on file, and color testing done. We have stopped
using InGen and now use Optigen or VetGen for PRA and vWD.

OFA Cardiac-Heart Testing
This is a test to make sure there is no irregular heartbeat sounds or heart murmurs. This test is done
after dogs are 1 year old and is Certified by using a canine Cardiologist who listens to the dogs heart
for about a minute and then if it sounds good then the results can be sent to OFA for a certificate.
This test can also be done by a Veterinarian but better if done by a specialist like a Cardiologist.
Learn more here: www.offa.org/cardiac_about.html
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What exactly does OFA, PennHIP, PRA and vWD mean?
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