AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG
Recommended Tests/CHIC Program Requirements
The OFA, working with the breed's parent club, recommends the following basic health screening tests for all breeding stock. Dogs meeting these basic health screening requirements will be issued Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) numbers. For CHIC certification, all results do not need to be normal, but they must all be in the public domain so that responsible breeders can make more informed breeding decisions. For potential puppy buyers, CHIC certification is a good indicator the breeder responsibly factors good health into their selection criteria. The breed specific list below represents the basic health screening recommendations. It is not all encompassing. There may be other health screening tests appropriate for this breed. And, there may be other health concerns for which there is no commonly accepted screening protocol available.
Screening | Testing options | Ratings |
Hip Dysplasia | Optional OFA preliminary evaluation (1 Year) Required OFA Evaluation (min age 2 years) | Excellent, Good , Fair, Borderline DJD, Mild DJD, Moderate DJD, Severe DJD |
Elbow Dysplasia | OFA Radiographic Elbow Evaluation | Normal, mild DJD, moderate DJD, severe DJD |
ACVO Eye Exam | Eye Examination once 24 months old. Results registered with OFA | |
prcd-Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) | DNA-based PRA test from an approved laboratory | Normal Clear, Carrier, Affected |
Congenital Deafness | B.A.E.R. hearing test. Results registered with OFA. | Full Bilateral Hearing, uni Right or Left |
Primary Lens Luxation | PRIMARY LENS LUXATION DNA test from an approved laboratory (added as a requirement effective 10/6/14) | Normal Clear, Carrier, Affected |
Patellar Luxation | (Optional but recommended) Veterinary Evaluation of Patellar Luxation. Results registered with OFA. Minimum age 1 year. | Normal, grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3 |
Cardiac Evaluation | (Optional but recommended) Standard Congenital Cardiac Exam. Results registered with OFA. Advanced Cardiac Exam Basic Cardiac Exam | Normal, Abnormal |
Progressive Retinal Atrophy RCD4, Cystinuria (SLC3A1) Myotonia Hereditaria, Degenerative Myelopathy, Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 5, Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis NCL 12, Congenital Deafness (LINKAGE CANDIDATE GENE) | (Optional but recommended) | Normal Clear, Carrier, Affected |
Other Genetic testing done by reputable Breeders:
Notes Note - each of the three DNA tests referenced below (prcd-PRA, rcd4 PRA, and Primary Lens Luxation) ONLY tests for the specific mutation associated with that disease or form of the disease and does not confer any information or genetic status associated with any other disease or form of the disease.
In addition to the breed specific requirements above, a CHIC requirement across all participating breeds is that the dog must be permanently identified via microchip or tattoo in order to qualify for a CHIC number.
CHIC numbers generate automatically within 1 to 2 weeks after all the required test results have been registered with the OFA.
For dogs residing outside the US or Canada, owners may submit their country's equivalent health screening results for listing on the OFA website. These requests are reviewed on a case by case basis and fees apply. Once these results have been recorded with the OFA, owners may request CHIC numbers if they've met all the CHIC requirements through regular registrations or international equivalents. These requests are handled on a case by case basis.