Health testing
OFA Health Testing for Australian Labradoodles in Anderson, Indiana
Every mom and dad in our program is health tested before they are bred. We check hips, elbows, and eyes through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), and we run a full genetic panel through Orivet. All four of our parents have been cleared.
Where does each of our dogs stand?
| Dog | Hips | Elbows (Elbow Dysplasia) | Eyes | Genetic panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ReeseMom | Fair | Cleared | Cleared | Clear |
| StrawberryMom | Good | Cleared | Cleared | Clear |
| RyderDad | Good | Cleared | Cleared | Clear |
| SargeDad, not currently active | Excellent | Cleared | Cleared | Clear |
You can see each dog's full genetics on our Moms and Dads page.
What does each test look for?
Hips
An X-ray of the hip joints, read by OFA's panel of vets. It shows whether the ball sits deep and tight in the socket. A loose hip wears out early, and it hurts.
Elbows
An X-ray of both elbows. It looks for the bone changes that cause limping and arthritis in young dogs.
Eyes
An exam by a board-certified veterinary eye doctor. It looks for inherited problems like cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy, which leads to blindness.
Genetic panel
A DNA test through Orivet. It tells us if a dog is clear, a carrier, or affected for the inherited diseases that matter in Australian Labradoodles. Sarge was tested through Paw Print Genetics, which is now part of Orivet.
What do OFA hip grades mean?
OFA gives a hip one of seven grades. Three of them pass.
- Excellent
- Good
- Fair
- Borderline
- Mild
- Moderate
- Severe
We will not breed a dog that gets any of the bottom four. In other words, Fair is a pass. It is not a warning.
Why do we test at all?
Health testing does not make a puppy perfect. It does stack the odds in your favor. A dog with good hips is more likely to have puppies with good hips. A dog that is clear on a genetic disease cannot pass it on.
So what happens if something does show up? Every puppy goes home with a 2-year health guarantee. You can read the whole thing in our puppy contract and health guarantee. The genetic side is explained on our genetic testing page.
When is each test done?
| Test | When | Who reads it |
|---|---|---|
| Hips | A preliminary rating can be done as a young dog. OFA gives a final rating at 24 months or older. | Three board-certified veterinary radiologists through OFA |
| Elbows | Same X-ray visit as the hips | OFA's radiologists |
| Eyes | An OFA eye certification lasts one year, so the exam is repeated | A board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist |
| Genetic panel | Once, any age. DNA does not change. | Orivet's lab |
How does OFA grade an X-ray?
Our vet takes the X-rays and sends them to OFA. OFA has three radiologists read each hip X-ray on their own, and the grade is their consensus. In other words, no one person decides it, and neither do we.
Elbows get a simpler answer. They are either normal, or they show elbow dysplasia graded from I to III. A cleared dog is normal. Eyes are checked in person with special lights and lenses that let the doctor see the lens and the retina.
What does health testing not cover?
We want to be honest about this. OFA and DNA testing screen for the problems that are inherited and can be seen or tested for today. They do not cover injuries, allergies, or the everyday sicknesses every puppy can catch.
Temperament is not on any test either. That part comes from choosing calm parents and raising puppies well. Every litter is raised in our home with Puppy Culture and Early Neurological Stimulation, and each puppy gets a vet check before it goes home.
Questions families ask about health testing
Are the puppies tested, or just the parents?
The parents carry the testing, because a puppy's hips and elbows are not done growing. Each puppy gets a full vet check before going home, along with vaccine and deworming records.
Does a Fair hip grade mean my puppy will have bad hips?
No. Fair is a passing grade on OFA's scale. It means the hips are normal, with a little less perfect fit than Good or Excellent.
What if my puppy has a genetic problem later?
Our 2-year health guarantee covers a debilitating genetic or congenital defect diagnosed by a licensed vet. The details are in our puppy contract.
Where can I see the results?
Every dog's results are posted on our Moms and Dads page. You can also call or email us with any question.
Want to see the paperwork?
All of our testing is posted on our Moms and Dads page. Have a question about a result? Call us at 317-608-9260 or email wallsfamilydoodles@gmail.com.