We strongly believe that breeding stock be health certified. The below testing methods are what dogs in the USA should have. Different countries utilize different testing methods based on what their registering body states is acceptable.
PennHip or OFA hip scoring/certification
OFA Cardiac by Cardiologist (preferably with Echocardiogram)
OFA Shoulder certification
OFA Elbow Certification
OFA Patella Certification
If a breeder does not do health certifications on their breeding dogs, they have NO IDEA what your dog is on the inside! Neither you, a vet or a judge can tell your dog is healthy just by looking at it and putting their hands on the dog. Neither you or your vet have x-ray vision!
*PennHip is a scoring evaluation based on the breed. There is no pass/fail with PennHip scoring as it is not based on a perfect hip, but rather the average dysplasticy for the breed.
In our opinion, reputable breeders test their dogs to see what their dog is on the inside. If a breeder is not health testing, how can they possibly attempt to improve the breed? Heart Disease is rampant in the breed, hip and elbow dysplasia are common. Epilepsy is on the rise again as is juvenile onset kidney failure. Bad knees are often hereditary and people are breeding dogs with bad knees, thus perpetuating the problem (and it averages about $3500 PER KNEE to fix).
If a breeder claims to have their dogues health tested, you can freely look it up at OFA, it’s free and easy to use. Check them out yourselves, don’t just take their word for it as there are some breeders who are claiming to do the testing, but not doing it. If someone claims to Penn Hip their dogues, ask for a copy of the report.
Health tested parents does not guarantee you will get a healthy puppy, but you have a much better chance at getting a healthy puppy from health tested parents and it shows you that the breeder is at the very least attempting to improve the breed by knowing exactly what they have.