Golden Retriever Health Testing: What Responsible Breeders Should Perform

Dr. James Tiede holding my pups at their 8 week check-up.

The puppies look healthy. Their parents seem energetic. The breeder says the dogs have been “vet checked,” come from “healthy lines,” and include a written health guarantee.

That sounds reassuring—but none of it replaces breed-specific health testing.

Golden Retrievers can inherit serious orthopedic, cardiac, eye, and neurological conditions that may not be visible during a routine veterinary examination. A dog can run, swim, play fetch, and appear completely healthy while still carrying or producing an inherited disorder.

Responsible breeders do not rely on appearances or promises. They complete the screenings recommended for Golden Retrievers, make the results publicly available, and use those results when planning each breeding.

For U.S. Golden Retrievers, buyers should expect documentation in five essential areas:

1. Hips

2. Elbows

3. Heart

4. Eyes

5. Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis 5, or NCL5

The current Golden Retriever Club of America health statement identifies these as the nationally recommended screenings. Requirements differ by breed and may change as new research becomes available, so buyers should also consult the current OFA CHIC Program and AKC Sporting Group testing list.

Here is what each test evaluates, what the results mean, and how you can verify them yourself.

First, understand what “OFA” and “CHIC” actually mean

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, commonly called OFA, maintains public records for canine health testing. Breeders can submit orthopedic evaluations, specialist examinations, and qualifying DNA results for inclusion in the database.

The Canine Health Information Center, or CHIC, is a program administered by OFA in partnership with national breed clubs. Each participating breed has its own screening protocol.

A dog can receive a CHIC number when:

• The health screenings required for that breed have been completed

• The dog is permanently identified by microchip or tattoo

• The required results have been made public

Here is the detail every puppy buyer should know:

A CHIC number does not mean every result was normal.

It means the required tests were performed and disclosed. OFA specifically advises buyers to open the dog’s individual record and review every result.

CHIC requirements can also change. An existing CHIC number is not automatically revoked when a new test is added, so buyers should check the dates and details rather than relying on the number alone.

Think of CHIC as a table of contents. You still need to read the pages.

1. Hip evaluation

What the test looks for

Hip dysplasia occurs when the ball and socket of the hip joint do not develop or fit together normally. Joint looseness and poor conformation can eventually contribute to arthritis, stiffness, pain, or lameness.

Some affected dogs show obvious symptoms. Others appear athletic and comfortable for years, which is why watching the dog move around the yard is not a substitute for radiographic screening.

Golden Retriever breeding dogs should have a final hip evaluation at 24 months of age or older through OFA or PennHIP. The GRCA health-screening guidance recognizes both methods when performed at the appropriate age.

Understanding OFA hip results

A veterinarian takes correctly positioned hip X-rays and submits them to OFA. Three radiologists independently review the images.

OFA assigns one of seven classifications:

• Excellent: Superior hip-joint conformation

• Good: Well-formed, congruent hip joints

• Fair: Minor irregularities, but still within normal limits

• Borderline: The radiologists cannot confidently classify the hips as normal or dysplastic

• Mild dysplasia: Significant joint looseness or shallow sockets

• Moderate dysplasia: More substantial malformation with arthritic changes

• Severe dysplasia: Marked joint abnormality and degenerative change

Excellent, Good, and Fair are passing—or normal—OFA results.

Borderline is not a passing certification. Mild, Moderate, and Severe indicate hip dysplasia. OFA explains these classifications in it's official hip-grade guide.

A common misconception is that an OFA Fair result means the dog failed. It does not. Fair is within OFA’s normal range, although a thoughtful breeder will consider the result alongside the mate’s hips, the extended pedigree, siblings, offspring, structure, and other health factors.

What about preliminary OFA results?

OFA accepts preliminary hip evaluations for dogs younger than 24 months. These can help breeders evaluate a young prospect, but they do not replace the final certification required at two years of age.

If a breeder is actively breeding a dog older than two but shows you only preliminary results, ask why final testing was not completed.

Understanding PennHIP results

PennHIP evaluates hip joint laxity using a measurement called the Distraction Index, or DI.

The DI generally ranges from zero to one:

• A lower number indicates a tighter joint

• A higher number indicates greater laxity

• A DI below 0.30 is considered tight

• PennHIP does not assign a simple pass-or-fail grade

The report should be interpreted in relation to both the dog’s individual measurements and the breed’s data. Antech’s PennHIP explanation provides more detail.

PennHIP results are sent to the owner and are not automatically displayed in OFA’s public database. The GRCA Code of Ethics says PennHIP evaluations for U.S. breeding dogs should be performed at 24 months or older and recorded in an approved public database.

If a breeder uses PennHIP, ask to see the full report—not simply a statement that the dog “passed PennHIP.”

Where buyers can verify hip results

For OFA evaluations:

1. Visit OFA.org.

2. Search using the dog’s exact registered name or registration number.

3. Open the individual record.

4. Look for a final hip result obtained at 24 months or older.

5. Confirm that the record belongs to the correct parent.

For PennHIP, request the complete report and confirm that the dog’s registered identity, age, and identification match the parent of the litter.

2. Elbow evaluation

What the test looks for

Elbow dysplasia is a broad term for developmental abnormalities of the elbow joint. It can lead to arthritis, stiffness, front-leg lameness, and pain.

As with hip dysplasia, some affected dogs show few outward symptoms. A normal gait during a breeder visit does not prove that the elbows are free of disease.

Golden Retriever breeding dogs should receive an OFA elbow evaluation at 24 months of age or older.

Understanding OFA elbow results

OFA elbow results are classified as:

• Normal: No radiographic evidence of elbow dysplasia

• Grade I: Minimal arthritic change

• Grade II: More pronounced bone and joint changes

• Grade III: Well-developed degenerative joint disease

Unlike hips, normal elbows are not graded Excellent, Good, or Fair. A normal result is simply recorded as Normal.

Grades I, II, and III are all abnormal results. The numbers describe increasing severity; Grade I is not a normal or “passing” elbow grade. OFA provides definitions in its elbow-dysplasia guide.

Final elbow certification is not issued until the dog is two years old. Preliminary elbow X-rays may provide useful information, but they do not replace the final evaluation.

Where buyers can verify elbow results

Search the dog’s registered name or number through OFA’s database. The record should show an elbow result of Normal at 24 months or older.

If the breeder says the elbows were tested but no result appears, ask for the original report and an explanation. Normal, final OFA results are made public automatically after processing.

3. Cardiac evaluation

What the test looks for

Golden Retrievers can be affected by inherited heart disease, including subvalvular aortic stenosis, often abbreviated as SAS. A dog with a cardiac condition may appear healthy, and a serious abnormality is not always obvious without an appropriate examination.

For U.S. Golden Retriever breeding dogs, the GRCA recommends a cardiac examination at 12 months of age or older by a board-certified veterinary cardiologist—a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in Cardiology.

The examiner’s credentials matter.

A routine puppy examination, a statement that a veterinarian “didn’t hear anything,” or a basic OFA cardiac exam performed by a general practitioner does not satisfy the GRCA specialist recommendation.

Basic versus advanced OFA cardiac testing

OFA maintains Basic and Advanced Cardiac databases.

A basic examination usually centers on auscultation—listening to the heart for murmurs or abnormal rhythm. An advanced examination includes echocardiography performed by a board-certified veterinary cardiologist.

The GRCA requirement is a report from a cardiologist. Although an echocardiogram is not expressly required in every Golden Retriever breeding, some breeders pursue advanced cardiac evaluation for additional information.

OFA’s Advanced Cardiac Database separates:

• Congenital cardiac status: Conditions present from birth; a normal adult congenital clearance is considered permanent

• Adult-onset cardiac status: Conditions that may appear later; this clearance is valid for one year

You can read the program details on OFA’s cardiac-disease page.

Understanding cardiac results

Buyers should look for:

• A result of Normal

• An examination performed at 12 months or older

• The examiner listed as a board-certified cardiologist

• The type and date of examination

• Any notation for congenital or adult-onset disease

A very young puppy’s normal cardiac examination is useful clinical information, but it is not the breeding clearance required for an adult parent.

Where buyers can verify cardiac results

Search the parent in the OFA database, open the cardiac record, and confirm:

1. The dog was at least 12 months old.

2. The result is Normal.

3. The examination was completed by a cardiologist.

4. The record belongs to the correct dog.

Do not look only for the word “cardiac.” Read the examiner and age details.

4. Annual ophthalmologist examination

What the test looks for

Golden Retrievers can develop inherited or suspected-inherited eye conditions, including cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, eyelid abnormalities, and pigmentary uveitis.

Some eye diseases are not visible to the owner during their early stages. Pigmentary uveitis is especially important because it may not develop until middle or older age—sometimes years after a dog was first bred.

That is why a single eye exam at two years old is not enough.

The GRCA recommends examination by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist—a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists—within 12 months before each breeding. Dogs that have produced puppies should continue receiving annual ophthalmology examinations for life.

Understanding OFA eye results

The examination may produce one of several general outcomes:

• Normal: No listed inherited eye abnormality was identified

• Passing with a Breeder Option code: An observable condition was noted, but current guidance does not automatically prohibit breeding

• Non-passing: A condition was found for which breeding is not advised

A Breeder Option result is not the same as a completely clear examination. The dog can receive an OFA eye certification, but the specific finding should appear on the record. Buyers should ask the breeder to explain that finding and how it influenced the breeding decision.

OFA eye certification is valid for only 12 months. OFA’s eye-certification guidance explains normal, Breeder Option, and non-passing results.

Why DNA eye tests do not replace the ophthalmologist

DNA tests can identify specific known variants associated with certain forms of progressive retinal atrophy. They cannot detect every possible inherited or acquired eye condition.

A Golden Retriever that tests genetically clear for a PRA variant still needs a current examination by a veterinary ophthalmologist.

The DNA test looks for one particular genetic risk. The ophthalmologist examines the eyes themselves.

Where buyers can verify eye results

Search the parent through OFA.org and look at:

• The most recent eye-exam date

• The dog’s age at the examination

• Whether the certification was current when the breeding occurred

• Any Breeder Option codes or other notations

• Earlier eye results, when available

If the only eye clearance is several years old, it is not current—even if the dog still has a CHIC number.

5. NCL5 DNA testing

What the test looks for

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis 5, commonly called NCL or NCL5, is a progressive neurological disease associated with the CLN5 gene in Golden Retrievers.

Affected dogs may develop loss of coordination, vision loss, and behavioral changes beginning around 1½ to two years of age. The disorder is progressive and serious.

NCL5 is inherited as an autosomal recessive condition. A puppy must inherit the disease-associated variant from both parents to be affected.

Current national breed-club guidance includes NCL5 among the recommended Golden Retriever health tests. The GRCA states that, at minimum, one parent in a breeding should be documented Normal or Clear.

Understanding NCL5 DNA results

Results may be written in different ways depending on the laboratory, but they generally mean:

• Clear/Normal, N/N: The dog does not have the tested Golden Retriever NCL5 variant and cannot pass that variant to its puppies.

• Carrier, N/CL: The dog has one copy of the variant. The dog is not expected to develop NCL5 but can pass the variant to offspring.

• Affected, CL/CL: The dog has two copies and is expected to develop the disease.

A carrier is not a sick dog.

A carrier can be bred to a genetically clear dog without producing puppies affected by this recessive variant. On average, approximately half of the puppies from a Clear-to-Carrier breeding would be expected to be carriers and half clear.

Two carriers should not be bred together because each puppy would have an estimated:

• 25% chance of being affected

• 50% chance of being a carrier

• 25% chance of being clear

The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory explains the disease, inheritance pattern, and result categories.

What does “clear by parentage” mean?

In some circumstances, a dog may be documented Clear by Parentage, often abbreviated CBP, because both parents were DNA tested clear.

OFA has specific requirements before issuing a Clear by Parentage certification, including registered parental results, compatible DNA identity profiles, and verified parentage. OFA limits this designation to first-generation offspring.

A casual statement that “the parents were clear” is not the same as an official CBP record. Ask for documentation.

Where buyers can verify NCL5 results

Look for the NCL result in the dog’s OFA record. If testing was performed through another recognized laboratory but was not submitted to OFA, request the complete laboratory report.

Verify:

• The tested dog’s registered name or identification

• The laboratory

• The exact disease and variant tested

• Whether the result is Clear, Carrier, Affected, or officially Clear by Parentage

• That at least one parent in the breeding is documented Clear

What about PRA, ichthyosis, and other Golden Retriever DNA tests?

Several additional DNA tests are available for conditions found in Golden Retrievers. Depending on the pedigree and evolving breed guidance, breeders may test for variants associated with:

• Progressive retinal atrophy, including prcd-PRA and Golden Retriever-specific forms

• Congenital ichthyosis

• Congenital myasthenic syndrome

• Congenital hypomyelinating polyneuropathy

• Sensory ataxic neuropathy

• Other emerging breed-relevant disorders

The availability of a DNA test does not automatically make it a universal requirement for every breeding. Breeders should consider the seriousness and frequency of the disease, the pedigree, the reliability of the test, and current parent-club guidance.

The GRCA emphasizes using DNA tests to prevent affected puppies while preserving genetic diversity. Automatically removing every healthy carrier from breeding can unnecessarily shrink the gene pool. For a simple recessive condition, careful mate selection can prevent affected puppies without discarding an otherwise valuable carrier.

Most importantly, a broad DNA panel does not replace hips, elbows, heart, or annual eye examinations.

A breeder who says, “We completed a 200-condition DNA panel, so our dogs are fully health tested,” has not completed the full Golden Retriever screening protocol unless the required specialist and radiographic evaluations were also performed.

Conditions health testing cannot eliminate

Even complete clearances cannot guarantee a perfectly healthy puppy.

Golden Retrievers may experience cancer, epilepsy, allergies, skin disease, hypothyroidism, and other conditions for which there may be no reliable routine pre-breeding clearance. Some diseases are influenced by many genes, environmental factors, or mechanisms that are not yet fully understood.

That makes pedigree knowledge important.

A responsible breeder should be able to discuss:

• Longevity in the family

• Causes and ages of death

• Cancer history

• Allergies and chronic skin disease

• Epilepsy or unexplained seizures

• Thyroid disease

• Temperament concerns

• Orthopedic problems beyond the standard screenings

• Health patterns in siblings, parents, grandparents, and previous offspring

Health clearances are essential, but they are one part of a larger breeding decision.