What is OFA testing and why is it needed?

Indy’s Goldens takes all testing seriously.

Official test results for our adult Golden Retrievers is listed on the Adults page. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is a nonprofit organization that aims to research and prevent orthopedic and hereditary diseases in companion animals. There are four main tests under the OFA control program. They are Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Eye Certification (must be completed yearly), and Cardiac Disease (must be completed by a cardiologist). All four of these are described below. Official OFA testing is completed after the dog has turned two years of age and before they whelp or sire a litter. Any OFA test completed before the age of two is just a preliminary test and is not a substitute for official OFA results.

Reputable breeders should be able to provide you with copies of their OFA Certificates for both the Dam and Sire of your puppy. Without these tests, the quality of the puppy you may purchase is at risk. Responsible breeders use these tests to better the breed, not pump out puppies from untested parents for a quick dollar.

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NOTE: OFA Hip Dysplasia testing should never be a substitute for PennHIP Testing. Check out our PennHIP page to see the importance of early detection of Hip Dysplasia utilizing PennHIP. At Indy’s Goldens, PennHIP and OFA testing is completed on all our adult Golden Retrievers as recommended/required by AKC and OFA.

​The OFA’s mission is to promote the health and welfare of companion animals through a reduction in the incidence of genetic disease. Their databases are central to the organization’s objective of establishing control programs. They serve all breeds of dogs and provide breeders a means to respond to the challenge of improving the genetic health of their breed through better breeding practices.