Why Health Testing Matters

There is nothing more exciting than bringing home a new puppy. The tiny paws, playful antics, and dreams of years of companionship ahead. But behind every healthy puppy should be something far less visible, yet incredibly important: responsible health testing.

At Paw Privileges, we believe that responsible breeding begins long before puppies are born. It starts with careful planning, education, and ensuring breeding dogs are given the best opportunity to produce healthy, sound companions for future generations.

What Is Health Testing?

Health testing refers to specific examinations, genetic screenings, and veterinary evaluations performed on breeding dogs to identify inherited diseases and conditions that may be passed to their offspring.

These tests vary by breed because every breed has unique health considerations. A responsible Border Collie breeder, for example, may screen for conditions very different from those affecting Golden Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, or German Shorthaired Pointers.

Health testing may include:

• Hip and elbow evaluations

• Eye examinations by veterinary ophthalmologists

• Cardiac testing

• DNA testing for breed-specific genetic diseases

• Thyroid evaluations

• Patella assessments

• Hearing evaluations

• Other breed-specific screenings recommended by parent clubs and veterinary specialists

Why Does Health Testing Matter?

1. Protecting Future Generations

Responsible breeders are custodians of their breed. Health testing helps reduce the risk of producing puppies affected by painful, debilitating, or life-shortening hereditary diseases.

While no breeder can guarantee perfect health, health testing provides information for breeding decisions and helps preserve the long-term wellbeing of a breed.

2. Supporting Puppy Families

Families deserve transparency and confidence when selecting a puppy.

A breeder who openly shares health testing results demonstrates:

✔ Commitment to ethical breeding
✔ Investment in the future of their puppies
✔ Transparency and honesty
✔ A genuine desire to improve their breed

This gives puppy owners peace of mind and helps them make educated decisions.

3. Preserving Breed Integrity

Purebred dogs were developed for specific purposes, temperaments, and physical abilities. Maintaining these characteristics requires responsible breeding practices.

Health testing allows breeders to make informed pairings that protect both the physical and genetic health of their lines while maintaining breed type and temperament.

4. Reducing Emotional and Financial Hardship

Serious inherited diseases can be devastating for families. Beyond the emotional toll, treatment costs can quickly become overwhelming.

Preventative health testing cannot eliminate every risk, but it can help breeders assess risks for the conditions being screened.

Health Testing Is More Than a DNA Panel

One of the biggest misconceptions among puppy buyers is that a DNA test alone means a breeder is "health tested."

While DNA testing is an important piece of the puzzle, it is only one component.

Responsible breeders often invest thousands of dollars in additional screenings, specialist evaluations, and ongoing assessments throughout a dog's lifetime.

True health testing often includes:

• Genetic testing

• Orthopedic evaluations

• Specialist veterinary examinations

Breeders also consider temperament, pedigrees and health history within their lines. These contribute to planning, but they are not substitutes for the relevant health examinations and laboratory tests.

How to Check a Breeder’s Health-Testing Documents

You do not need to become a genetics expert before getting a puppy. You do need enough information to understand what was tested, whose results you are looking at and how the breeder used those results.

1. Identify both parents. Ask for their registered names and identifying details so you can match each report to the correct dog.
2. Ask for the actual results. Request reports or public database links rather than relying on a badge or a statement that the dogs are “fully tested.”
3. Check the scope. Ask which examinations and DNA tests are relevant to this breed, and whether anything recommended is missing.
4. Check dates and ages. Ask whether the results were preliminary or final and whether any examinations need to be repeated.
5. Discuss the pairing. Ask the breeder to explain the results for both parents, known family health concerns and the reasoning behind the planned litter.
6. Keep the documents. Save the reports and written answers with your contract so you can review them with your veterinarian if needed.

What Does a CHIC Number Mean?

The Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) program, operated by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), uses breed-specific screening requirements. A CHIC number means the required results were submitted and made public. It does not mean that every result was normal. Read the individual results, not just the number.

OFA also explains that requirements can change without existing CHIC numbers being revoked. Ask which recommendations applied when the dog was tested and whether further screening is now relevant. See the OFA explanation of CHIC numbers and reports.

Does a DNA Carrier Result Mean a Dog Is Unhealthy?

Not necessarily. For some simple recessive conditions, a carrier has one copy of the tested variant and may not show the disease. The interpretation depends on the specific condition, test and inheritance pattern. Ask how both parents’ results were considered, and have a veterinarian or veterinary genetics professional explain anything unclear.

A “clear” result applies to what that particular test assessed; it is not a promise of perfect health. The OFA explains these distinctions in its guide to health databases and selective breeding.

Questions Every Puppy Buyer Should Ask

When researching breeders, consider asking:

• What health testing has been completed on the parents?

• Can you provide proof of testing?

• Are the results publicly available through recognized registries?

• What health concerns are common in your breed?

• How do you use health information when planning litters?

• Do you provide lifetime breeder support?

• Do you have a return-to-breeder clause in your contract?

Responsible breeders welcome these conversations and are happy to educate prospective families.

Choosing Responsibly Matters

At Paw Privileges, we proudly support responsible, ethical breeders who prioritize:

✔ Health testing
✔ Lifetime breeder support
✔ Ethical placement practices
✔ Education for puppy families
✔ Breeder Assist and Return commitments
✔ Preservation of healthy, well-tempered purebred dogs

Responsible breeding is not about producing puppies—it is about preserving breeds, supporting families, and creating healthier futures for generations of dogs to come.

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Because every responsible decision we make today helps create a healthier future for dogs tomorrow.

Put the Results Into the Bigger Picture

Health testing belongs alongside puppy raising, placement, clear agreements and lifelong support. Use our complete guide to choosing a reputable breeder in Canada to build your shortlist, then explore the Canadian dog breeder directory by breed, province or territory.

If a breeder repeatedly avoids questions or will not provide documentation, our breeder red-flags guide explains what to ask next. Before committing, review the puppy contract and understand what support is offered if a health concern arises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a puppy’s vet check the same as the parents’ health testing?

No. A puppy’s examination and veterinary records describe that puppy’s care and findings at the time. Breeding-dog screening provides different information used when planning a litter. Ask for both the puppy’s records and the relevant results for its parents.

Does a CHIC number mean every test result was normal?

No. A CHIC number confirms that the program’s required breed-specific results were recorded and made public. You still need to read those individual results and discuss them with the breeder.

Can health testing guarantee that my puppy will never become ill?

No. Screening provides information about particular conditions and risks. It cannot cover every possible illness or predict everything that may happen during a dog’s life.

What if I cannot find a result in an online database?

Ask the breeder for the report, the testing organization and the details needed to match it to the dog. A missing search result is a reason to seek clarification; it does not, on its own, prove that a test was never done.