DNA testing and OFA screening are often mentioned together, but they do not measure the same thing. DNA tests look for specific genetic variants included in a laboratory panel. OFA screening includes clinical evaluations such as hip and elbow radiographs, and its databases publish health results. For Bernedoodle parents, the useful question is not which one is better. It is what health information is relevant for these particular dogs.
What DNA Testing Can Tell You
A DNA report may classify a dog as clear, a carrier, or affected for a specific tested condition. These results can help a breeder plan a pairing when the inheritance pattern is understood. The report only covers the variants included in that test. It cannot predict every disease, injury, or future health outcome.
What OFA and Clinical Screening Can Tell You
OFA receives and evaluates health-screening results, including radiographs used for hip or elbow assessment. The screening answers a clinical question about the dog’s structure or condition. The type of evaluation, dog’s age, and published result matter. Check the actual record and make sure it identifies the parent you are researching.
The CHIC program collects results for recommended tests and makes them easier for buyers to locate. A CHIC number means the program’s testing requirements were completed and results made public. It does not automatically mean each result was normal, so review the entries individually.
Why Breeders Consider Both
Some inherited conditions have an available DNA test, while others are screened through clinical evaluation or family history. A responsible breeder uses appropriate methods for the risks under consideration and explains any limitations. Ask how the results influenced the pairing rather than accepting a badge or broad claim without records.
Questions to Ask
- Which specific conditions were tested or screened?
- Who performed the test, and can I verify the result?
- Does the report apply to the exact parent dog?
- How does each parent’s result work together in this pairing?
- What health concerns cannot be ruled out by these tests?
Screening reduces uncertainty and supports better decisions, but it cannot guarantee a puppy will never develop a health problem. For a detailed record walkthrough, read What Is OFA Testing for Dogs? and the Bernedoodle Guide.
Ask for a Pairing Example
Ask the breeder to walk through one specific result from each parent and explain what it means for the pairing. For a DNA test with a known recessive inheritance pattern, the outcome depends on the combination of variants from both parents. That example should be based on the actual report and condition, not a blanket statement that one dog is “clear.”
For an orthopedic screening, ask what the images evaluated, how the result was graded, and how that information fits with relatives and the other parent. A DNA panel cannot replace a joint evaluation, and a normal hip evaluation does not answer every genetic question. Keep the discussion tied to the test’s scope.