OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) was founded in 1966, with the sole mission of promoting health and welfare of companion animals through a reduction in the incidence of genetic disease.

OFA tests, such as hip and elbow certifications use x rays to check the health of a dog's hips and elbows. These readings can range from poor to excellent, and a certificate is issued to the dog owner after a team of veterinarians from the OFA go over the x-ray.  

These tests are used to check for the possibility of hip & elbow dysplasia and should be performed on ALL breeding dogs! 

ALL REPUTABLE BREEDERS will perform OFA testing on their dogs and should show the certificate to those who want to adopt their pups.  Dogs have the highest incidence of inherited genetic disorders, out of all domesticated animal.  SADLY, OVER 90% OF BREEDERS DO NO, OR MINIMAL GENETIC & OFA TESTING ON THEIR BREEDING DOGS. Many will claim they do, but when asked to show proof, they cannot, or they will show you a DNA report that lists a couple of conditions only.  Many will show you a DNA report from a different dog, not the parents of your puppy. The DNA report should have the dog's name on it, and even the dogs microchip number.  Many will test for one or two genetic conditions and claim they do genetic testing- but they speak in half truths. This is NOT a complete DNA test! Many will claim that their vet said testing wasn't necessary. One of the biggest lies I have heard from a breeder is the claim that because Labradoodles are mixed breed dogs, they do not develop genetic disease, & that OFA testing is not accurate.  THIS IS 100% FALSE!! Labradors can suffer from about 20 breed related genetic conditions, and Poodles can suffer from about 10 breed related conditions. A labradoodle is susceptible to over 20 genetic conditions! Unless a breeder tests for ALL of the breed related conditions- it is not a thorough and complete genetic test, PERIOD!

BOTH LABRADORS & POODLES CAN SUFFER FROM HIP DYSPLASIA, and all breeding dogs should be tested and have a clearance of FAIR to EXCELLENT which indicates that the dog does NOT suffer from hip or elbow dysplasia.

DNA TESTING

DNA testing should be a staple in ALL REPUTABLE BREEDERS breeding program. These DNA tests help rule out any genetic traits being passed to puppies from the parents. Myopathy EIC, PRA and IVVD to name a select few, are diseases that can affect certain dog breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers, and Poodles, including mini poodles. A puppy that is breed from parents with a lack of complete DNA testing & OFA hip/elbow testing, have between a 35% & 65% chance of developing either a genetic disease and or hip/elbow dysplasia in its lifetime. 

The breeder should be able to show those who wish to adopt one of their pups DNA results. I give a copy of both parents DNA reports. I also give copies of my dogs' OFA certificates. I use Embark for my genetic testing, as they test for over 200 possible genetic conditions. 

Sadly, many breeders are charging top dollar for their puppies- while doing no OFA testing, and no, or very little genetic testing. Many genetic conditions do not surface until the dog reaches a few years of age. Now- you have a huge financial burden, which will undoubtedly cost thousands and thousands, if the dog lives, and worse, it will take a tremendous emotional toll. Most of these issues could be avoided with thorough and complete DNA testing and OFA testing on the hips and elbows.

COEFFICIENT OF INBREEDING (COI)

COI is a means of testing a dog's DNA to check how diverse its gene pool is. The lower the percent, the more diverse the dog's gene pool is. This gives the dog the potential for ultra-high intelligence and lessons the chances of genetic issues. The average C.O.I of a purebred dog is 20%. The average C.O.I of a mixed breed dog is 10%. While this isn't the "end all be all" it does give you a good idea of the dogs gene pool. It can also be used to tell if a dog was inbred, line bred or cross bred.  All of my puppies have a COI of between 20% and 0%. This number, however, is enhanced by a DNA profile which is clear of all genetic issues. All of my dogs are 100% clear of ALL genetic conditions. When a dog has a clean DNA profile, as well as a 0% to 20% COI, you are getting a genetically perfect animal.