Health Testing for Dog Breeders: What Every Breeder Should Test For

Why Health Testing Matters

Health testing is the single most important thing a breeder can do to protect the dogs they produce. Genetic and orthopedic conditions can be passed from parent to offspring, and many of these conditions are not visible to the naked eye. A dog can appear perfectly healthy and still carry genes for hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, or heart disease.

By testing breeding dogs before they produce a litter, breeders can make informed pairing decisions, reduce the incidence of inherited disease, and provide buyers with documented proof that their puppy comes from health-tested parents.

Common Health Tests by Category

Hip & Elbow Evaluations

Hip and elbow dysplasia are among the most common orthopedic conditions in dogs, particularly in medium and large breeds. Two primary evaluation methods exist:

• OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) — X-rays are taken at 24 months of age and submitted to OFA for grading (Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline, Mild, Moderate, or Severe).
• PennHIP — A distraction-based radiographic method that can be performed as early as 16 weeks. Measures joint laxity and provides a percentile ranking compared to other dogs of the same breed.

Dogs rated as Borderline or worse by OFA, or in the higher laxity percentiles by PennHIP, should generally not be used for breeding.

Eye Examinations

Annual eye exams by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist screen for conditions such as:

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
• Cataracts
• Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
• Entropion and ectropion
• Glaucoma

Results are registered with OFA (formerly CERF). Eye exams should be repeated annually since some conditions develop later in life.

Cardiac Evaluations

Heart disease can be inherited in many breeds. Cardiac screening typically involves:

• Auscultation — A board-certified cardiologist listens for murmurs and abnormal rhythms.
• Echocardiogram — An ultrasound of the heart, recommended for breeds prone to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) or subaortic stenosis (SAS).
• Holter monitor — A 24-hour heart rhythm recording, commonly used for Boxers and Doberman Pinschers to detect arrhythmias.

DNA / Genetic Panels

DNA testing identifies carriers of breed-specific genetic conditions. Common tests include:

• DM (Degenerative Myelopathy) — A progressive spinal cord disease common in German Shepherds, Corgis, and other breeds.
• vWD (von Willebrand Disease) — A blood clotting disorder found in Dobermans, Poodles, and others.
• EIC (Exercise-Induced Collapse) — Common in Labrador Retrievers.
• PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) — DNA tests complement the clinical eye exam.
• MDR1 (Multi-Drug Resistance) — Found in herding breeds; affects how dogs metabolize certain medications.

Many breeders use comprehensive breed-specific panels from providers like Embark, Wisdom Panel, or Paw Print Genetics. A single test can screen for dozens of conditions at once.

Thyroid Testing

Autoimmune thyroiditis is a common endocrine condition in dogs. OFA recommends a full thyroid panel (including T3, T4, free T4, and thyroglobulin autoantibodies) for breeding dogs, repeated every one to two years.

Patella Evaluation

Luxating patellas (kneecaps that slip out of place) are common in small and toy breeds. OFA patella evaluations grade the condition from Grade I (mild) to Grade IV (severe). Dogs with Grade II or higher should not be bred.

Breed-Specific Testing Recommendations

The Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) maintains breed-specific testing requirements in partnership with national breed clubs. A dog earns a CHIC number when it completes all recommended tests for its breed — regardless of results. This encourages transparency.

Examples of breed-specific panels:

• Labrador Retriever — Hips, elbows, eyes, EIC, D locus (dilute), cardiac
• Golden Retriever — Hips, elbows, eyes, cardiac, NCL (neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis)
• French Bulldog — Hips, patella, eyes, cardiac, spine evaluation, DNA panel
• German Shepherd — Hips, elbows, DM, cardiac, temperament evaluation
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel — Cardiac (echocardiogram required), patella, eyes, hips, MRI for syringomyelia

Visit OFA's breed-specific page to find the recommended tests for your breed.

How to Interpret Results

Health testing results fall into categories:

• Clear / Normal — The dog does not carry the tested condition. Safe to breed to any partner.
• Carrier — The dog carries one copy of a recessive gene. Can be bred to a Clear dog without producing affected offspring.
• Affected / At Risk — The dog has or will develop the condition. Should generally not be used for breeding.

For orthopedic tests (hips, elbows, patellas), grading systems indicate severity. A dog with OFA "Good" hips is suitable for breeding; a dog with "Severe" hip dysplasia is not.

Recording and Sharing Results

Responsible breeders make their testing results available to buyers. Options include:

• Registering results with OFA's public database
• Providing copies of test certificates to buyers
• Storing results in breeding management software where they can be shared through a Pet Portal or included in health record exports

Transparency in health testing is one of the strongest trust signals a breeder can offer. It demonstrates that you are invested in the health of your dogs and stand behind your breeding decisions.

The Cost of Health Testing

Health testing is an investment. Typical costs include:

• OFA hip/elbow x-rays: $200–$500
• Eye exam: $50–$100
• Cardiac evaluation: $100–$500 (auscultation vs. echocardiogram)
• DNA panel: $100–$250
• Thyroid panel: $75–$150
• Patella evaluation: $50–$100

For a single dog, expect to spend $500–$1,500 depending on the breed and the number of tests required. While this may seem like a significant expense, it pales in comparison to the cost — financial and emotional — of producing puppies with preventable health conditions.

The Bottom Line

Health testing is not optional for responsible breeders. It protects your dogs, your puppies, your buyers, and your reputation. Buyers are increasingly educated about health testing and will actively seek out breeders who test and share results openly. Make it a non-negotiable part of your program from the very first litter.