Health Testing Basics

Common Health Tests

For LGD breeds, the following tests are commonly recommended or required:

Hip Dysplasia

• What it is: Malformation of the hip joint leading to arthritis and lameness
• Testing: OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) or PennHIP x-rays
• Timing: OFA preliminary at 4 months; final at 24 months
• Ratings: Excellent, Good, Fair (passing); Borderline, Mild, Moderate, Severe (not passing)

Elbow Dysplasia

• What it is: Developmental abnormalities in the elbow joint
• Testing: OFA elbow evaluation (x-rays)
• Timing: Usually done with hip evaluation at 24 months
• Ratings: Normal; Grade I, II, III (affected)

Eye Conditions

• What it is: Various inherited eye diseases
• Testing: CAER (Companion Animal Eye Registry) exam by veterinary ophthalmologist
• Timing: Annually; often done before breeding each time
• Result: Identified conditions or "Normal"

Cardiac Evaluation

• What it is: Screening for heart abnormalities
• Testing: Auscultation by cardiologist or echocardiogram
• Timing: Usually once at adult age

Breed-Specific Tests

Some LGD breeds have additional recommended tests:

• Patellar luxation (knee issues) for some breeds
• Thyroid function
• DNA tests for specific genetic conditions (varies by breed)

Using the OFA Database

The OFA maintains a searchable public database:

• Website: ofa.org
• Search by: Registered name, OFA number, or registration number
• Verification: Ask breeders for OFA numbers; verify them yourself
• Pedigree depth: Check parents, grandparents when possible

What Testing Does (and Doesn't) Mean

Testing Reduces Risk

• Breeding tested dogs reduces incidence of hereditary problems
• Multiple generations of testing improves outcomes
• Shows breeder investment in health

Testing Doesn't Guarantee

• Tested parents can still produce affected puppies
• Hip scores of parents don't guarantee hip scores of offspring
• Not all conditions have tests available
• Environmental factors also affect joint health

Questions to Ask Breeders

• What health testing has been done on the parents?
• Can you provide OFA numbers to verify?
• What are the results? (Not just "passed" but actual scores)
• Are grandparents tested?
• What health conditions have you seen in your lines?
• What health guarantee do you offer?

Cost Considerations

Proper health testing is expensive, which is one reason responsibly bred dogs cost more:

• OFA hip/elbow evaluation: $200-500 (including x-rays)
• CAER eye exam: $40-80
• DNA testing panels: $100-300+
• Multiple dogs tested over years adds up

If a breeder's prices seem too low, ask how they're covering testing costs.