03/13/2026
“All our dogs are genetically cleared”
“The parents are health tested”
“Both parents have great hips”
“We prioritize genetic health”
Have you ever seen a statement like that from a breeder?
What do they really mean though? Some breeders will take advantage of the gray area those statements create, and also take advantage of customers that don’t know to ask more questions.
The Orthopedic Foundation of America is where most US dogs’ health testing records are contained. Searching by breed on their website, you will find basic core health screening recommendations.
This list represents the core health screenings responsible breeders should complete before breeding.
Breeders should also complete a DNA genetic swab through a resource like Embark, UC Davis, or Pawprint, among others, to test for any known genes. It is common for DNA results to not show on a dog’s specific OFA page, however, the breeder should be able to provide the results for you.
You can go to OFA.org and search by a dog’s registered name, or registration number. The OFA also shows you a vertical pedigree with health testing so you can consider health in past generations.
When a breeder submits information to the OFA, there is an option on the form where they can choose to release abnormal results to the public or not. If a breeder decides to not release abnormal results, you have no way of knowing that, and an ethical breeder should always release all results.
Red Flags 🚩
🚩 If you search a dog and it has every health clearance except one, especially an important one like elbows or hips. This always makes me question if the breeder chose to not publish a negative result.
🚩 If a breeder will not give you the link to a dog’s OFA profile, or the dog’s registered name when you ask.
🚩 If something does not match up, such as the DOB on the OFA being very different from what the breeder tells you.
Knowing how to search the OFA, and what core tests should be completed before breeding, is a huge step toward verifying if a breeder is one you want to work with.
Have you ever looked up a dog on OFA before?