OFA-CHIC Health Testing Requirements

The OFA, working with the breed's parent club, recommends the following basic health screening tests for all breeding stock. Dogs meeting these basic health screening requirements will be issued Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) numbers. For CHIC certification, all results do not need to be normal, but they must all be in the public domain so that responsible breeders can make more informed breeding decisions. For potential puppy buyers, CHIC certification is a good indicator the breeder responsibly factors good health into their selection criteria. The breed specific list below represents the basic health screening recommendations. It is not all encompassing. There may be other health screening tests appropriate for this breed. And, there may be other health concerns for which there is no commonly accepted screening protocol available.

• *Note - each of the three DNA tests referenced below (prcd-PRA, rcd4 PRA, and Primary Lens Luxation) ONLY tests for the specific mutation associated with that disease or form of the disease and does not confer any information or genetic status associated with any other disease or form of the disease. (Optional)
• Hip Dysplasia (One of the following)
  OFA Evaluation (min age 2 years)
  OVC Evaluation (min age 2 years)
  PennHIP Evaluation (min age 1 year)
• Elbow Dysplasia (evaluation at two years or older) (One of the following)
  OFA Evaluation
  OVC Evaluation
• Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Ophthalmologist - Min Age 24 months (One of the following)
  Results registered with OFA
  Registered with CERF
• prcd-Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test - from an approved laboratory 
  Optigen prcd-PRA DNA test results registered with the OFA. First Generation Offspring of tested dogs eligible for Clear By Parentage (A to A breedings). Obligate Carriers (A to C breedings) are also eligible. In addition, for Clear By Parentage, or Obligate Carriers, the sire, dam, and offspring must all be DNA profiled to verify parentage.
• Congenital Deafness
  OFA evaluation based on BAER test
• Primary Lens Luxation
  PRIMARY LENS LUXATION DNA test from an approved laboratory (added as a requirement effective 10/6/14)
• Patellar Luxation (Optional)
  OFA evaluation, minimum age 1 year
• Cardiac Evaluation (Optional)
  Congenital Cardiac Exam
  Advanced Cardiac Exam
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy RCD4 (Optional)
  RCD4 PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY DNA from an approved laboratory
• PennHip (Optional)
  PennHIP at 6 months optional for measuring laxity that is correlated with future dysplasia, however, evaluation at this age will not meet the CHIC hip evaluation requirement.
• Radiographic consultation for OCD of the Hocks. (Optional)

Note - In addition to the breed specific requirements above, a CHIC requirement across all participating breeds is that the dog must be permanently identified via microchip or tattoo in order to qualify for a CHIC number.