When you're evaluating a breeder, one of the most important questions you can ask is simple: "Can I see your health testing documentation?" OFA health testing is the industry standard for responsible Labrador breeding, and a reputable breeder should not only be doing it — they should be proud to show you the results. This guide breaks down what each test is, why it matters, and what to look for when you're reviewing a breeder's records.
What Is OFA and Why Does It Matter?
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is a nonprofit organization that maintains a registry of health test results for dogs. When a breeder says their dogs are "OFA tested," they mean the results of their dogs' health evaluations have been submitted to and reviewed by OFA, and the dog has received an official OFA number and rating.
OFA testing matters for one fundamental reason: genetic health conditions in Labradors are real, heritable, and preventable through responsible breeding decisions. Breeders who skip testing are not saving money — they are shifting the cost to the families who buy their puppies, often in the form of expensive surgeries, shortened lifespans, and heartbreak.
"We don't ask you to trust us that our dogs are healthy. We show you the documentation. Every breeding dog in our program has cleared all OFA evaluations before we consider them for a litter."
The Four Core OFA Tests for Labradors
1. OFA Hip Evaluation
Hip dysplasia is the most common serious orthopedic condition in Labradors. It occurs when the hip joint develops abnormally, causing the ball and socket to fit together poorly. Over time, this leads to arthritis, pain, and reduced mobility — sometimes requiring surgery costing $3,000–$6,000 per hip.
The OFA hip evaluation is performed via radiograph (X-ray) with the dog in a specific position under anesthesia or heavy sedation. A panel of board-certified radiologists reviews the images and rates the hips as Excellent, Good, Fair (all of which are passing), Borderline, Mild, Moderate, or Severe (which are failing ratings). Only dogs with Excellent, Good, or Fair ratings should be bred.
OFA recommends that dogs be at least two years old before the preliminary evaluation is submitted for official certification, as hips continue to develop through young adulthood.
2. OFA Elbow Evaluation
Elbow dysplasia is the second most common inherited orthopedic condition in Labradors. Like hip dysplasia, it refers to abnormal joint development — in this case, the elbow — which leads to pain, lameness, and arthritis. Elbow problems in Labs are often seen bilaterally (both elbows) and can be debilitating.
The elbow evaluation is also performed via radiograph. OFA radiologists grade each elbow separately: Grade 0 is normal, Grades 1–3 indicate increasing degrees of dysplasia. Only dogs with a Grade 0 rating in both elbows should be used in a breeding program.
3. CAER Eye Examination
CAER stands for Companion Animal Eye Registry, which OFA manages in partnership with the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO). Labradors can be affected by several inherited eye conditions, including progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), hereditary cataract, and retinal dysplasia.
Unlike the hip and elbow evaluations, the CAER exam is a clinical examination performed by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist using specialized equipment. The exam must be repeated annually because some conditions develop with age. A dog that passes at two years may not pass at five. Responsible breeders retest their breeding dogs every year.
4. OFA Cardiac Examination
The cardiac evaluation screens for hereditary heart disease, most notably tricuspid valve dysplasia (TVD), which has been identified in Labradors. The exam is performed by a board-certified veterinary cardiologist using auscultation and echocardiography. As with the eye exam, this should be performed by a specialist, not a general practice veterinarian.
A dog with an inherited cardiac defect should not be bred. At Patton Premier Labradors, every breeding dog receives a full cardiac evaluation by a cardiologist before any litter is planned.
DNA Health Panels
Beyond the four core OFA evaluations, responsible Labrador breeders also run DNA health panels to screen for inherited genetic conditions. The key tests for Labradors are:
| Condition | Abbreviation | What It Is |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise-Induced Collapse | EIC | A genetic condition that causes muscle weakness and collapse after intense exercise. A dog can be Clear, Carrier, or Affected. |
| Centronuclear Myopathy | CNM | A muscle disease that causes progressive muscle weakness. Carriers can be safely bred to Clear dogs; Affected dogs should not be bred. |
| Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis | HNPK | A skin condition causing crusty, painful nasal tissue. Carriers can be safely bred to Clear dogs. |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (prcd) | PRA-prcd | Causes progressive deterioration of the retina, eventually leading to blindness. Both parents must be Clear or Carrier for a Carrier to be safely used. |
For recessive conditions like these, a dog with "Carrier" status is not affected by the disease but carries one copy of the gene. A Carrier can be safely bred to a Clear dog — no Affected offspring will result. The key is knowing the status of both parents before breeding so that no Affected puppies are produced.
What to Look for in a Breeder's Health Records
When you ask a breeder for health testing documentation, here is what you should be looking for:
OFA registration numbers. Every result submitted to OFA receives a registration number. You can look up any dog's OFA results yourself at ofa.org using the dog's registered name or OFA number. If a breeder says their dogs are "OFA tested" but can't provide registration numbers, be skeptical.
Testing on both the sire and the dam. Both parents need to be tested. A breeder who only tests one parent is not running a health-conscious program — the risk travels through either parent equally.
Annual CAER exams. A CAER exam from five years ago is not current. Ask when the last eye exam was performed and by whom.
DNA panel results. Ask specifically about EIC, CNM, HNPK, and PRA-prcd. Ask whether both parents have been tested. Ask what the results were and whether any Carrier-to-Carrier combinations were used.
"Buying a puppy from untested parents is not 'getting a deal.' It's paying the same price for a dog whose health risks are unknown — and potentially inheriting costs that could run into thousands of dollars over the dog's lifetime."
What We Test at Patton Premier Labradors
Every breeding dog in our program is cleared on all of the following before they are ever used in a litter: OFA hips (Good or Excellent), OFA elbows (Grade 0 bilateral), CAER annual eye exam (current), OFA cardiac evaluation by a cardiologist, and DNA panel including EIC, CNM, HNPK, and PRA-prcd.
We share our health records openly. When you inquire about a puppy, we will send you the OFA registration numbers and DNA results for both the sire and dam without being asked. We believe transparency is the foundation of trust, and we want every family to be fully informed before they make a decision.
About Patton Premier Labradors
We are an English Labrador breeder in Charlotte, NC. Our program is built on health testing, champion bloodlines, and puppies raised in our home from birth. If you're looking for an English Lab in the Charlotte, Huntersville, Mooresville, or Concord area, we'd love to connect and share our health documentation with you.