Why do Health Testing?
Why is health testing important?
This gives your puppy the best chance of not inheriting a health condition from parents. There is no way of guaranteeing a perfectly health puppy. By being able to health test parents makes it less likely of a chance for puppies to inherit health conditions from parents. Most of our breeding dogs receive CHIC numbers or have all the health testing recommended by the American Brittany Club before being bred and on the dogs individual pages you can see their OFA health page links.
What is a Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) number?
OFA partnered with breed parents clubs (such as the American Brittany Club) and created commendations for health testing. Dogs that meet the basic health screening requirements will be given a CHIC number. A dog can recieve a CHIC number even if they do not pass all of the health testing, so it is still important to check to see if the parents have passed. For Brittanys to receive a CHIC number they are required to do Hips, Eyes, and one of the others listed below.
Hips- OFA Hip Evaluations
Canine Hip Dysplasia typically develops because of an abnormally developed hip joint but can also be caused by cartilage damage from a traumatic fracture. The breakdown in the joint will lead to pain with joint movement.
OFA classifies hips into seven different categories: Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline, Mild, Moderate,and Severe. The last three are considered Dysplasia. To do the test the dogs must be two years old and older. When they are looking at the x-rays they are looking to see a deep seated ball (femoral head) that fits tightly into the socket with minimal joint space.
Eye Certification (CAER)
Many eye diseases can be genetic. By doing screening on the parents and them passing it helps to lessen the chance of the puppies having these diseases. They must be between 2-8 years old to do this health screening. It is recommended that the test be done annually, however that is not required.