What is the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)?
OFA is a nonprofit organization that evaluates and certifies specific health screenings for dogs. It specializes in conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia, cardiac issues, and other inherited diseases. Owners can submit test results to OFA, which provides ratings and certification for individual dogs. You may hear the term “OFAed” or “Health tested” to mean that the dog has had results submitted to OFA. *Note: It can take some time for tests to be submitted and/or evaluated, and then posted on OFA.org.
What is the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC)?
The Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) is a database used in the United States that helps track relevant health information purebred dogs. It collects and shares health screening results, making it easier for breeders and owners to make informed decisions and reduce genetic health risks. *Note: Some health issues have a strong genetic component, and some do not. Some issues have a stronger environmental or epigenetic component than others.
How Are CHIC Health Tests Decided?
Each breed has specific health concerns, and they are not all equal in terms of impact to quality of life, if any. CHIC works with Breed Parent Clubs (also called National Clubs) to decide which tests are most important. These clubs use empirical research and expert advice from researchers to choose tests that address common genetic problems in the breed, if any. Once a dog completes the required tests and submits the results, it is assigned a CHIC number, showing it meets the breed club’s health testing recommendations.
What are Breeder Options noted on eye exams?
Breeder options noted on eye exams can be a complex topic. Many breeder options do not mean that the dogs have an eye issue or that the dog should never be used in a breeding program. Often, Breeder options on eye exams can be likened to a blemish. It is something to be noted, but requires no treatment and has no risk for future issues. For these options, the dog will often be noted as having a passing eye exam. These determinations are breed specific. It would not be appropriate to apply the same priority and decisions around eye health across different breeds. *Many of these breeder options will sound very concerning on Google, but in reality, they are not a concern.
What does DNA tested mean?
You might hear people say Embarked – Though this is a brand name, it has become a term to mean that dog’s DNA tested for the currently available genetic markers. There are multiple companies who offer canine DNA testing such as UCDavis, Paw Print Genetics, Wisdom Panel, and university labs. DNA Testing is not a replacement for health testing, though using DNA testing may be a way to complete some breed specific health tests. It is advised to study each breed carefully as 1. Some breeds do not have any health conditions that currently have any genetic markers. 2. Some breeds have identified DNA markers that do not mean anything. 3. DNA markers are not comprehensive tests for all known diseases. 4. DNA marker results are not indicative disease. Simply because a dog might be genetically affected, it may not ever actually have the disease.
What is *Embarked Clear?
Without context of the breed, this simply means that the dog was tested to not have the genetic markers it was tested for. Without understanding the breed and which tests were performed, this does not give buyers any actionable information nor is this a signal that the breeder is making breeding decisions based on health. There are no DNA tests specific to Lowchen.