What a Responsible Breeder's Health Testing Looks Like
When you buy a puppy, you are also inheriting the genetic health of its parents. Responsible breeders screen their breeding dogs for conditions known to affect the breed and share those results openly. Understanding what that testing looks like helps you tell a careful breeder from one who simply says their dogs are "healthy." This article explains the common programs, what the paperwork means, and what to ask, drawing on guidance from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, the AKC, and the AVMA.
Medical disclaimer: This article is general educational information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot diagnose or predict the health of any individual puppy. Health testing on the parents reduces risk but does not guarantee a healthy dog. Always have your own veterinarian examine any puppy you are considering, and consult that veterinarian about breed-specific health concerns.
Why health testing matters
Every breed carries a somewhat different set of inherited health risks, from hip and elbow problems to eye and heart conditions. Health testing is how a responsible breeder identifies which of their dogs are appropriate to breed and which are not, with the goal of reducing the odds of passing on a serious disease. It is not a cure or a guarantee, but it meaningfully lowers risk and signals a breeder who takes the breed's future seriously. Learn what your chosen breed is prone to by reading its breed page and browsing the breeds library.
The main programs and terms
Two names come up constantly when breeders discuss health testing in the United States: OFA and CHIC.
OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals)
The OFA has maintained health databases for breeding dogs since 1966. A veterinarian performs a screening, such as a hip or elbow evaluation, and submits the results to the OFA, which reviews them and records them. Many OFA results, particularly those certified as normal, become part of a public database that anyone can search. This transparency is exactly what you want, because it lets you verify a claim rather than take it on faith.
CHIC (Canine Health Information Center)
CHIC is a database jointly sponsored by the AKC Canine Health Foundation and the OFA. Working with each breed's national parent club, CHIC defines the specific set of screenings recommended for that breed. When a dog completes all the required tests for its breed and the owner allows the results to be published, the dog receives a CHIC number.
What a CHIC number does and does not mean
This is a common point of confusion. A CHIC number means the dog has completed all the health screenings the parent club recommends for its breed, and that the results are publicly available. It does not by itself mean the dog passed every test. You still need to look at the actual results behind the number. A responsible breeder will happily walk you through them.
What tests you might see
The exact panel depends on the breed, but the categories below are common.
Hips and elbows
Many breeds are screened for hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia through OFA or PennHIP evaluations. Results are typically graded, and you want to see the actual grade rather than a vague assurance.
Eyes
An examination by a veterinary ophthalmologist checks for inherited eye conditions. These exams are usually valid for a limited period, so ask for a recent one.
Heart
Certain breeds are screened for congenital heart disease by a veterinary cardiologist. Ask whether the evaluation was an advanced one if the breed is prone to specific cardiac conditions.
DNA and breed-specific tests
Many inherited diseases can now be identified with DNA tests, which show whether a dog is clear, a carrier, or affected. A knowledgeable breeder can explain how they use these results to plan pairings that avoid producing affected puppies.
How to verify a breeder's testing claims
Anyone can say their dogs are health tested. Verifying it is straightforward.
Ask for documentation
Request the specific test results for both parents, not just a summary. A responsible breeder expects this and can produce certificates, OFA records, or a CHIC number you can look up. Our guide on how to verify a breeder covers this alongside identity checks.
Look it up yourself
Because many OFA and CHIC results are public, you can search a dog's registered name or CHIC number in the OFA database and confirm the results match what the breeder told you. If the breeder cannot give you the registered names needed to search, ask why.
Safety callout: Be cautious of a seller who offers a broad "health guarantee" but cannot produce any actual test results for the parents. A guarantee is a contract promise, not evidence of screening, and it is only as reliable as the person behind it.
Health testing versus a health guarantee
These two things are easy to conflate. Health testing is objective screening of the parents that reduces genetic risk. A health guarantee is a clause in your purchase contract describing what the breeder will do if the puppy develops a specified condition. You want both, and you want to read the guarantee carefully, including any conditions that could void it. Our overview of puppy sale contracts and health guarantees explains what to look for.
Questions to ask about health testing
You do not need to be a veterinarian to have a productive conversation about testing. A few well-aimed questions reveal how seriously a breeder takes it.
Ask which tests the breed needs
Start by asking which health screenings the breed's parent club recommends, then ask the breeder to confirm they completed each one on both parents. A breeder who knows their breed will answer easily and may volunteer results before you finish asking. Compare their answer against the breed's typical concerns on its breed page.
Ask to see, not just to hear
Ask for copies of the certificates or the registered names and CHIC numbers so you can look up public records yourself. Phrases like "the vet said they're fine" or "they've never had a problem" are not the same as documented screening. Our questions to ask a breeder guide includes health-specific prompts.
Ask how results shaped their breeding choices
A thoughtful breeder can explain why they paired these two particular dogs, including how DNA results guided them away from producing affected puppies. Vague or defensive answers here suggest the testing may be more marketing than practice.
Your own veterinary exam still matters
No amount of parental testing replaces an independent exam of your specific puppy. The AVMA recommends scheduling a veterinary examination as soon as possible after bringing a new dog home, because your veterinarian is the person best qualified to evaluate the puppy's health and advise on vaccinations, parasite control, and care. Build this exam into your plan and your budget, and see our guide on how to choose a healthy puppy.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating a CHIC number as proof the dog passed every test, rather than checking the actual results.
- Accepting "vet checked" or "health tested" without asking for documentation.
- Confusing a written health guarantee with genetic screening of the parents.
- Failing to look up public OFA or CHIC records to confirm claims.
- Skipping your own independent veterinary exam after purchase.
- Ignoring which tests actually matter for your specific breed.
The bottom line
Responsible breeders screen their breeding dogs for the conditions that matter in their breed, record the results with programs like OFA and CHIC, and share them without hesitation. Your job is to ask for the specific results, verify them in public databases where possible, understand that a CHIC number reflects completed testing rather than passing scores, and add your own veterinary exam on top. Health testing shifts the odds in your favor, but it never replaces the judgment of your own veterinarian. Explore listings, start from the breeder directory, and if a seller cannot back up their health claims, contact us. PuppyList is a marketplace that connects buyers and breeders directly and does not vet, guarantee, or provide veterinary services.