HEalth TESTING

At Prodigy Farms, we pride ourselves on fully health testing our parent dogs on the recommendation of the breed specific CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) program.  The CHIC recommendations were formed for each breed after health testing data from dogs within the breed was collected and analyzed.  The individual tests required by CHIC were chosen due to their prevalence or debilitating impact upon the breed itself.  We invest in our dogs to make sure that your puppy will have the healthiest and happiest life possible.  We want our puppy buyers to be informed and all too often we see puppies advertised as health tested when the puppy parents have only undergone a simple buccal swab DNA test.  Too often people consider a dog to be health tested when it has ONLY had DNA testing done through Embark, Wisdom Panel, Paw Print, Genomia, or another similar lab.  These DNA tests are essential in making wise breeding decisions for the health of future generations, but they are only one tool.  A dog that has tested fully clear on it's Embark panel, can still have other eye issues that cannot be detected via a genetic test and can only be seen when a Certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist performs a thorough eye exam on the dog.  
Below is a list of what full health testing should look like:

FULLY HEALTH TESTED

• Hips: OFA certification or Penn Hip
• Eyes: CAER OFA certification
• Patellas:  OFA certification
• DNA testing via Embark or Paw Print

Further testing may be required depending upon the breed:

• Cardiac: OFA certification
• Elbows:  OFA certification
• Thyroid:  OFA certification

A DOG THAT ONLY HAS A DNA PANEL IS NOT HEALTH TESTED

We know that having a dog can be one of life's simplest and greatest joys.  Please ensure that the companion that you choose has been given the best chance at life from the very beginning and ask for documentation of proper health testing.  It is one of the simplest ways that you can protect your puppy's future before you even bring them home.