Crown & Collar Institute™ encourages breeders to complete breed-appropriate health testing before breeding. Not every test is appropriate for every breed, but many smoosh-faced breeds benefit from the following evaluations when recommended by current veterinary guidance.
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Common Health Evaluations
Examples of evaluations that may be appropriate, depending on the breed and current veterinary recommendations, include:
- DNA testing for breed-specific inherited diseases
- OFA Hip Evaluation (where recommended)
- OFA Elbow Evaluation (where recommended)
- OFA Patellar Luxation Evaluation
- OFA Cardiac Examination
- CAER Eye Examination (Companion Animal Eye Registry)
- BAER Hearing Test (when appropriate for the breed)
- Thyroid Evaluation (where recommended)
- Dentition/Bite Evaluation
- Spinal evaluation when recommended
- Tracheal evaluation when clinically indicated
- Airway evaluation for brachycephalic breeds (BOAS assessment where available)
- Skin and skin-fold health evaluation
- Respiratory function assessment
- Reproductive health examination
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Additional Considerations
Responsible breeding also includes evaluating:
- Functional breathing
- Ability to exercise comfortably
- Heat tolerance
- Sound movement and structure
- Stable temperament
- Good overall physical condition
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Individualized Testing Decisions
Testing recommendations should always reflect the individual breed, current veterinary recommendations, and the health of each breeding dog. Crown & Collar Institute™ may update these recommendations as new scientific evidence becomes available.
OUR GOAL
Our goal is healthier dogs, informed families, and continual improvement through responsible breeding.
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