Health & Temperament Testing
Embark DNA Testing
Embark is a company that collects and tests the DNA of your dog for over 175 different genetic/heredity diseases.They also test different coat and color traits that allow us to predict what physical traits will be possible to produce in a particular mating. All our dogs are DNA tested via embark.
Visit the Embark website to learn more
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
Health-Tested Parents for Healthier Puppies
POODLE , STANDARD
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.
- Hip Dysplasia (One of the following)
OFA Evaluation ➚
PennHIP Evaluation - Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Ophthalmologist
Results registered with OFA ➚ - Health Elective (One of the following tests) (One of the following)
OFA Thyroid evaluation from an approved laboratory ➚
OFA SA Evaluation from an approved dermapathologist ➚
Congenital Cardiac Exam ➚
Advanced Cardiac Exam ➚
Notes
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.
CHIC numbers generate automatically within 1 to 2 weeks after all the required test results have been registered with the OFA.
For dogs residing outside the US or Canada, owners may submit their country’s equivalent health screening results for listing on the OFA website. These requests are reviewed on a case by case basis and fees apply. Once these results have been recorded with the OFA, owners may request CHIC numbers if they’ve met all the CHIC requirements through regular registrations or international equivalents. These requests are handled on a case by case basis.
We begin OFA testing at 16 weeks, our goal is to have all our breeding dogs CHIC by age 2
To learn more about OFA and CHIC certifications please visit their website
Temperament Testing
VOLHARD’S PUPPY APTITUDE TEST
