What Is OFA Health Testing and How Can Buyers Verify Results?

Quick answer: The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals maintains public databases for many inherited-disease screening results. Buyers can search a sire or dam by registered name or number and compare the record with tests recommended for that breed. A CHIC number indicates that the program’s required tests were completed and results made public; it does not mean every result was normal.

How to verify a parent’s record

Ask the breeder for each parent’s registered name, registration number, and OFA link or record number. Search independently and confirm that the breed, sex, date of birth, and ownership details are consistent with the dog described as the puppy’s sire or dam.

Open the individual test entries instead of relying on a screenshot or a CHIC badge. Note the test type, result, age at evaluation, and date. Some clearances are final at a particular age, while others may need periodic renewal depending on the disease and program.

• Search both sire and dam.
• Check identity details, not only a similar call name.
• Read every result and testing date.
• Ask why a recommended result is missing or preliminary.

Choose tests by breed, not by a generic package

Different breeds face different inherited risks, so a long list of unrelated tests is not necessarily stronger than a focused, breed-appropriate program. Use the parent club or OFA CHIC requirements as a starting point, then discuss the results and family history with a veterinarian who understands the breed.

DNA tests, orthopedic evaluations, eye examinations, cardiac examinations, and other screens answer different questions. One negative DNA result cannot replace structural or specialist examinations when those are recommended.

• Compare the record with current breed recommendations.
• Distinguish DNA status from clinical examination results.
• Ask about close relatives and previous litters.
• Remember that screening reduces uncertainty; it cannot guarantee future health.

Red flags and reasonable explanations

A breeder should be able to provide enough identity information for an independent search. Cropped screenshots, claims that records are “private,” or repeated pressure to pay before verification deserve caution. A missing result can have a legitimate explanation, but the explanation should be specific and supported.

Health screening is one part of responsible breeding. Also review the puppy’s veterinary record, living conditions, socialization plan, contract, return policy, and the breeder’s willingness to discuss problems openly.

• Do not accept “vet checked” as a substitute for parent screening.
• Do not assume a CHIC number equals all-normal results.
• Verify links on the official database.
• Ask your veterinarian to interpret unfamiliar findings.

Frequently asked questions

Does OFA certify that a puppy will be healthy?

No. OFA records report specific screening information. Genetics, environment, chance, and future care still affect an individual puppy.

What does a CHIC number mean?

It means the dog completed the testing required by its breed’s CHIC program and the results are publicly available. It does not mean every result was normal.

Can a mixed-breed parent have OFA results?

Yes, many OFA evaluations are not limited to registered purebred dogs. The appropriate screening plan should reflect known ancestry, structure, and veterinary advice.

Sources and review notes

Use the official OFA CHIC program overview and searchable records. Test recommendations evolve, so verify the current breed program and discuss interpretation with a veterinarian. This article is educational and does not replace veterinary, legal, insurance, or financial advice.