CanadaProudly Canadian owned and operated

Health tests that matter for doodles — and how to read an OFA result

Which tests buyers will ask about, and how PawTrace verifies them. A PawTrace guide for Canadian dog owners.

The short answer

Doodle breeders should test both parent breeds: hips and elbows (OFA or PennHIP), an eye exam, and DNA for PRA-prcd, vWD1 and DM, plus ichthyosis for goldens and patellas for small poodles. Check every result on ofa.org using the dog's registered name.

Tests

  • Hips and elbows
  • Eyes (a yearly ophthalmologist exam)
  • DNA: PRA-prcd, vWD1, DM, and others for the parent breed
  • Patellas for mini and toy poodles
  • Heart exam for goldens

Frequently asked questions

What's a good OFA hip score?

Excellent, Good or Fair are passing grades.

Sources

Keep reading

Readers of this guide also read

Verify before you pay.

Search a breeder or scan a passport — free, in every province and territory.

PawTrace reports verified data points it has checked. It does not guarantee a breeder, a dog, or an outcome. How we verify →