What Is OFA Certification in Standard Poodles
and Why Should It Be Done?

​Genetics play an important role in a Standard Poodle's (or any dog's) development. A dog's physical traits and habits are often determined by DNA. DNA research has grown leaps and bounds over the years and helps establish a dog's health very early on in their life. Unfortunately for some dogs, genetics can play a role in diseases and future health problems.

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Genetic testing can help track potential problems and provide solutions before the problems worsen. One of the best methods to prevent breeding problems is through OFA Certification. 

 

What Is OFA Certification?

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OFA stands for the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. The foundation was developed in 1966. Several dogs from the same breed had developed similar issues, and a man named John M. Olin discovered the issues could be traced through a dog's linage and didn’t just randomly happen to some of the dogs.

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Before blood-based genetic testing became readily available, one of the main ways to track orthopedic issues in dogs was through x-rays. Instead of just testing individual dogs with owners, the OFA Certification process began building a database. The dog's information, including the breeder, birth location, and family connections, was a part of the database.

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The program is run exclusively through the University of Missouri, with several connections to vets around the world.

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What Genetic Diseases Does It Cover?

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Originally, the OFA Certification was established to discover hip dysplasia in dogs and is still a primary source to track any hip issues. Over the years, the expansion of DNA testing has led to several other genetic disease tracking. Dogs with bad knees could have a condition known as Patellar Luxations, which the OFA Certification tracks.

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The OFA Certification also tracks the transmission of various heart diseases, various DNA Testing, Eye Certification and early discovery can help prevent major problems in the future. Hypothyroidism is also covered through the genetic testing. This condition can create a hormone imbalance in dogs that eventually leads to problems later in their life.  But, not all testing is appropriate for all breeds.

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What is the CHIC Certification Program?

 

The OFA created the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) by partnering with participating parent clubs to research and maintain information on the health issues prevalent in specific breeds. We’ve established a recommended protocol for breed-specific health screenings. Dogs tested in accordance with that protocol are recognized with a CHIC number and certification.

At OFA, we recognize that the more information stored and accessible in these databases, the better it will be for every breed. And so we encourage all breeders to attain CHIC Certification if their breed participates in the CHIC program.

A dog achieves CHIC Certification if it has been screened for every disease recommended by the parent club for that breed and those results are publicly available in the database. See the recommended screenings by breed.

 

What Genetic Diseases Are Specific for Standard Poodles?

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The Poodle Club of America has determined that breeding Standard Poodles should have the following tests performed.

• OFA Radiographic Hip Evaluation or PennHIP Evaluation. Results registered with OFA.

• ACVO Eye Exam - ACVO Eye Examination. Results registered with OFA.

Health Elective One of the following:

• Autoimmune Thyroditis Evaluation from an approved Lab. Results registered with OFA.

• Sebaceous Adenitis evaluation by an approved dermapathologist. Results registered with OFA.

• Standard Congenital Cardiac Exam. Results registered with OFA.

• Advanced Cardiac Exam

• Basic Cardiac Exam

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When Do Standard Poodles  Have OFA Certification?

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Many of the genetic diseases may not show physical signs until years down the line when damage has progressed or the treatment options become limited. Ideally, Standard Poodles are tested and OFA certified as young as possible. For example, hypothyroidism may be detectable in a dog at a young age and treatable before any symptoms occur.

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For example, if a dog doesn’t receive treatment, then the hypothyroidism could create issues for the dog, including weight gain and blood sugar issues. Through the genetic testing, a dog will receive a score based on probability due to past genetics. If the dog's parents went through the OFA certification process, then the information could help generate results as well.

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With so many complicated details in genetics, not every answer is always in black and white. The range of genetic results will typically go from Excellent to Severe, especially in the case of hip dysplasia.   ​The main goal of OFA certification is to help treat a dog's health and prevent future breeding of painful genetic diseases.

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What Genetic Diseases Testing Do We Do at Standard Poodle Pups?

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Here a Standard Poodle Pups, since Health is one of our core focuses - we test beyond the CHIC standards.  You can check out our parents testing on these pages Our Daddies and Our Mommies - there is a link beside each do to show their individual testing.

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