Health & Testing
OFA Health Testing for Dogs: Why It Matters Before Breeding
OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) health testing is the gold standard for evaluating breeding dogs' structural and genetic health. Here's what it covers and why it matters.
March 15, 2024 · 7 min read
What Is OFA Testing?
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1966 that evaluates and certifies the health of breeding dogs. OFA maintains a publicly searchable database of health test results for dogs across hundreds of breeds, allowing buyers to verify any breeder's testing claims independently. A dog with OFA certifications has been evaluated by specialists against breed-appropriate health standards.
What Does OFA Test For?
OFA provides evaluation and certification across a wide range of health conditions:
- Hips — radiographic evaluation by three OFA-approved radiologists; graded Excellent, Good, Fair (all passing), or Borderline/Mild/Moderate/Severe Dysplasia (failing)
- Elbows — radiographic evaluation for elbow dysplasia
- Patellar Luxation — physical evaluation of knee stability; especially important for toy breeds like Yorkies, Toy Poodles, and Cavapoos
- Cardiac — auscultation by a board-certified cardiologist for murmurs and congenital defects
- Eyes (CAER) — examination by a board-certified ophthalmologist for hereditary eye diseases
- Thyroid — blood panel for autoimmune thyroiditis
- Hearing (BAER) — especially important for merle, piebald, and white-colored dogs
How to Look Up OFA Results
Every OFA-certified dog has its results listed in the public OFA database at ofa.org. Simply search by the dog's registered name or AKC registration number. This is one of the most important tools buyers have — any breeder who claims OFA testing but whose dogs don't appear in the database should be questioned carefully.
OFA vs. DNA Testing
OFA and DNA testing serve different but complementary purposes. OFA evaluates structural, cardiac, and ophthalmologic health through physical examinations and radiographs — things you cannot determine from DNA alone. DNA testing evaluates genetic markers for over 200 hereditary conditions and traits through a DNA cheek swab. Responsible breeders should ideally use both: DNA testing to screen for genetic disease risk and OFA evaluations to confirm structural soundness.
Breed-Specific OFA Recommendations
The OFA works with each breed's parent club to establish recommended health testing protocols. For example:
- Yorkshire Terriers: Patellar luxation, cardiac, CAER eyes
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: Cardiac (annual), hips, CAER eyes, MRI for Syringomyelia
- Toy Poodles: Patellar luxation, CAER eyes, cardiac
- French Bulldogs: Patellar luxation, CAER eyes, cardiac, spinal
Why This Matters for Your Puppy
When a breeder skips health testing, they're making a gamble with your puppy's future — and your family's heartbreak and financial burden. A dog diagnosed with hip dysplasia at age 2, hereditary cataracts at 3, or cardiac disease at 5 faces surgery, medication, shortened life, and suffering. OFA testing doesn't eliminate all risk, but it dramatically reduces the probability of breeding known problems into the next generation. At Star Struck Puppies, health testing is not optional — it's the foundation of every pairing we make.