03/17/2025
Oh, its that time when people are searching for their next family member so lets go over a few things to be asking when talking to breeders.
Health Clearances: some breeders like claim their dogs are “fully health checked” but what does this really mean?
For Field Spaniels, you want the following health clearances: cardiac check with an echo, eye check by ophthalmologist, thyroid test, elbow & hip check for dysplasia and patella check. All these checks should be submittedto OFA.
OFA stands for orthopedic foundation for animals.
When breeders get clearances done, we submit those clearances to the OFA, OFA then will register the clearances and have them published on their website . If a breeder is claiming their dog has health clearances, they should be published on the OFA website. If you cannot find the clearances listed on OFA then you should contact the breeder and ask for proof of those clearances.
Let’s discuss the various clearances. The first clearance we’re going to discuss is the heart.
Heart Clarences can be done many different ways. One way is a regular vet can just listen for a heart murmur. While this helps detect some heart issues, it’s not very effective in all cases. The second way is to have a cardiologist listen to the heart. Cardiologist have years of training and can detect murmurs that a regular Vet might miss. While this method will help detect some heart issues it will not be able to detect all heart issues . Lastly, a breeder can go and get an echo done on their dog. An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart. This test will give a Vet a clear view as to if there are any heart issues. An echocardiogram is the best option for ruling out heart issues.
Two other clearances that are needed are hips and elbows. These are done with x-rays. These clearances are done to make sure that the dogs are not dysplastic, hip and elbow dysplasia both can cause a dog a great deal of discomfort and pain during their life.
In order to get a rating x-rays are done and submitted to the OFA. OFA will rate the hips as Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline, Mild, Moderate or Severe. Typically breeders want a rating of Fair or better.
Another check that is done is patella, or the knee caps. It is important that veterinarians check any breeding dogs for luxating patella as this issue can be passed down to the offspring. Dogs with luxating patellas often need surgery to correct the issue. Without surgery dogs can face a lifetime of pain and suffering in many cases.
Another important health check is thyroid dog should have their thyroid tested at age one and then again later on in life typically after age 5. Checking thyroid prior to breeding dogs is important because again this is another hereditary health issue that can be passed down to the offspring.
When speaking to breeders ask Very direct questions. Such as “what health clearances do the parents have?” “Did you submit the clearances to OFA?”
If a breeder claims a health test isn’t needed, ask why. Often breeders will say “oh we don’t do those tests as my dogs are healthy” is a big red flag.
Good breeders should not only be willing to discuss these clearances but also able to help you find them on OFA. Clearances are needed so breeders can make educated decisions on breeding so they can greatly reduce the chances of producing puppies with issues.
Things poor breeders may say:
We don’t need those checks as our dogs are healthy!
We did the check but we don’t submit to OFA, but my Vet said its ok to breed.
We don’t have those issues in this breed.(every breed should have hips, elbows, heart, eyes, patella and thyroid done. While some diseases are breed specific the basic tests I’ve listed are necessary for all breeds)
My Vet is really good at hearing murmurs, so an echocardiogram is just not needed.
We DNA my dogs, so we don’t need all those other checks.
I don’t send stuff to OFA, I just keep records at home.
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Please know Good breeders will always educate- because selling a puppy or dog is not our main priority! Our main priority is educating the public on how to be better owners and how to find the best breeders!
If you ever need help looking up clearances please ask. I and other breeders will always be happy to help you verify health clearances!
