“Health tested” is a useful starting point, not a result. Ask to see records for the actual parent dogs in the litter and learn what each test evaluated. Bernedoodles can inherit health concerns from both parent breeds, so the relevant screening depends on the dogs, their family history, and the breeding program’s plan.
Match the Record to the Dog
Check the registered name or other identifying details on the report. Compare them with the parent listed for the litter. Ask whether the dog’s microchip or other identifier was recorded with the test. A certificate for a different dog, an unnamed result, or a general statement about the line does not show that the specific parent was screened.
Read the Test Type and Date
Different tests answer different questions. An orthopedic evaluation uses clinical imaging and specialist review. A DNA test looks for particular genetic variants included in that test. A cardiac or eye evaluation is another separate assessment. Write down the test name, laboratory or registry, completion date, and result. Ask whether the test must be repeated or whether age affects the interpretation.
Understand What a Result Means
“Clear,” “carrier,” “affected,” “normal,” and orthopedic grades have test-specific meanings. A carrier result is not the same as an affected result, and it must be interpreted in the context of the paired dog and the inheritance pattern. A clear result for one mutation does not mean a dog is free of every inherited risk.
OFA’s CHIC program makes recommended health information easier to find. A CHIC number indicates that the required tests for that program were completed and results made public. It is not a guarantee that every result is normal. Open the record and read the individual results.
Ask Follow-Up Questions
- Which tests were completed on each parent, and what conditions do they assess?
- Can I see the original records or verify them in a public database?
- How did the results affect this specific pairing?
- Are there known health concerns in close relatives?
Hoosier Canines’ existing article explains the basics of OFA testing. This guide is a next step: review the actual documentation and ask how it informed breeding decisions.
A Quick Record-Review Checklist
- Does the record name the parent dog and include a stable identifier?
- Is the test name specific, rather than a vague “genetically clear” statement?
- Can the date and result be checked with the laboratory or registry?
- Does the result cover one variant or a broader panel?
- Are there separate orthopedic, cardiac, eye, or other clinical evaluations?
- Can the breeder explain how the two parents’ results were considered together?
Save copies of reports while you are comparing litters. If a result is technical, ask the breeder to explain it in plain language and then verify it with the issuing registry or your veterinarian. Transparency is a better sign than the number of acronyms on a sales page.