OFA Certification in Puppies: What It Really Means

Bringing Home a Healthy Puppy: Why OFA Certification Matters

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting — but with so many factors like breed, temperament, and long-term health to consider, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That adorable face might steal your heart, but responsible ownership starts long before you bring your puppy home. It starts with understanding genetic health and choosing a breeder who takes it seriously.

That’s where OFA certification comes in — along with dog DNA tests and breed-specific genetic screenings. But here’s something many buyers get wrong:

OFA certification is not something a puppy receives directly.
Instead, responsible breeders have the parent dogs (the sire and dam) evaluated and certified before breeding.

When a breeder tells you a puppy comes from “OFA-certified parents,” it means:

• The mother and father were tested for specific genetic health conditions.
• Those test results were submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and found to be within normal or acceptable ranges.
• Your puppy has a significantly lower risk of inheriting those conditions.

This gives you peace of mind — not because the puppy itself was tested, but because ethical breeding practices were followed. It shows the breeder invested time and money to help ensure healthier offspring.

What Is the OFA?

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is a non-profit organization established in 1966 to improve the health of companion animals. They certify the results of various health tests on dogs — including hips, elbows, thyroid function, heart, and eyes — and maintain a public database accessible to breeders, pet owners, and veterinarians.

What Does OFA Certification Tell You?

OFA certification of the parents doesn’t guarantee your puppy will never have health problems. No test can do that. But it does help you avoid predictable hereditary conditions, supports ethical breeding, and gives your future dog the best possible start in life.

In the sections below, we’ll break down:

How OFA testing works alongside DNA tests for a complete health picture hereditary issues and the heartache (and expense) that often comes with them. It’s one of the best head starts your new pup can have.

Which tests are included in OFA certification

How much it costs breeders (and why that affects puppy prices)

Red flags to watch for

What Tests are Included in OFA Certification?

The OFA offers a variety of tests for dogs, including:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Thyroid Function
• Cardiac (Heart) Evaluation
• Eye Certification
• Patellar Luxation
• Von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD)
• Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
• Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC)

Here is a list of all DNA tests available by the OFA – sorted by dog breed.

What is the Cost of OFA Certification?

1. OFA Testing Costs for Breeders

Breeders must perform health screenings on the parent dogs (sire and dam) before breeding, which can include:

• Hip Dysplasia Evaluation (OFA Hip X-rays) – $400–$600 per dog
• Elbow Dysplasia Evaluation – $35–$50 per dog
• Genetic Tests (e.g., for eye disorders, cardiac issues, or breed-specific conditions) – $50–$300+ per test
• OFA Certification Fees – $15–$40 per submission

Since both parents should be tested, total costs for the breeder can range from $1,000–$4,000+ before breeding even occurs.

2. How This Affects Puppy Price

Reputable breeders who do full OFA testing (and other health checks like PennHIP, CERF eye exams, or genetic panels) often charge $2,000–$5,000+ for a well-bred puppy, depending on breed demand.

• Puppies from OFA-tested parents may cost $500–$2,000 more than puppies from untested parents.
• Some breeders may price puppies even higher if the parents have exceptional OFA scores (e.g., “Excellent” hips) or champion bloodlines.

3. Why It’s Worth It (Even If Not a Guarantee)

• Reduced Risk: OFA testing lowers (but doesn’t eliminate) the chance of inherited conditions like hip dysplasia, heart disease, or blindness.
• Breeder Reputation: Ethical breeders invest in testing to improve breed health, not just for profit.
• Long-Term Savings: A healthier puppy means fewer vet bills later.

Red Flags to Watch For

• “OFA pending” – Means the breeder hasn’t completed testing yet (ask for proof).
• No OFA but “vet checked” – A vet check ≠ genetic health screening.
• Too cheap? Puppies under $1,500 (for most breeds) from untested parents are risky.

What Should You Look for When Choosing a Puppy with OFA Certification?

First, it’s important to understand a common point of confusion: OFA certification is not something a puppy receives directly. Instead, responsible breeders perform OFA health screenings on the parent dogs (the sire and dam) before breeding. When someone talks about a “puppy with OFA certification,” they really mean a puppy whose parents have been tested and cleared for genetic health conditions.

So, what should you look for?

1. Work with a reputable breeder.
A good breeder will openly share the OFA results for both parents. They should provide you with the OFA numbers so you can verify the information yourself on the OFA website.

2. Ask which specific tests were done on the parents.
Different breeds have different recommended tests (hips, elbows, heart, eyes, etc.). A responsible breeder tests for conditions common to their breed — not just one or two.

3. Understand what OFA can and cannot tell you.
Clear OFA results on the parents significantly lower the risk that your puppy will inherit certain conditions. However, OFA certification is not a guarantee of lifelong health. Some issues can still develop due to environment, diet, injury, or less common genetic factors.

4. Remember: the puppy itself is not tested.
No one is taking X-rays or running OFA evaluations on an 8-week-old puppy. The value comes from knowing the parents are healthy. That’s the head start — not a promise, but a strong foundation.

5. Watch for red flags in how OFA is presented.
Be cautious if a breeder says:

• “The puppy will get OFA certified later” — unlikely, since most OFA tests require the dog to be at least 2 years old.
• “OFA pending” without a clear timeline.
• “Vet checked is just as good” — it is not the same as OFA.

Choosing a puppy with OFA-certified parents is one of the smartest steps you can take. Just go in with the right understanding: you’re relying on the parents’ health data, not a test done on the puppy itself.

How to Verify OFA Results on OFA.org (A Quick Check)

A good breeder will gladly share the OFA numbers for the sire and dam. Here’s how to verify them in under two minutes:

1. Ask the breeder for the parents’ OFA numbers or their registered names.
2. Go to ofa.org and enter the information in the search bar.
3. Look for passing ratings:
   • Hips: Excellent, Good, or Fair
   • Elbows: Normal
   • Heart, Eyes, Thyroid: Normal or Clear

Note: Puppies themselves do not have OFA certifications. You are verifying the parents’ health records. If a breeder claims a puppy has its own OFA number, that is incorrect.

If the breeder refuses to provide OFA numbers or the parents are not found in the database, consider that a red flag and walk away.

FAQs About OFA Certification

Final Thoughts: Giving Your Puppy the Healthiest Start

Bringing a new puppy home is one of life’s greatest joys — but it’s also a serious responsibility. That responsibility starts before you choose a puppy, with the questions you ask and the records you verify.

When evaluating breeders, prioritize three things:

• OFA certification (on the parents, not the puppy)
• Dog DNA tests
• Breed-specific genetic screenings

These tools give you a clear window into hereditary health risks. They won’t guarantee a perfectly healthy dog — no test can — but they significantly reduce the chance of heartbreaking and expensive surprises down the road.

Remember: OFA certification is not something a puppy receives directly. A responsible breeder tests the sire and dam before breeding. When a breeder says a puppy comes from “OFA-certified parents,” that’s a strong sign of ethical practices.

So before you fall for those puppy-dog eyes, do your homework:

• Ask for proof of health clearances
• Verify OFA records yourself on the OFA website
• Walk away from breeders who are vague, defensive, or offer “vet checked” as a substitute

Your diligence today isn’t just about avoiding problems — it’s about giving a healthy, happy dog a long and loving life by your side. That’s a reward worth every bit of research.