Health testing is one of those terms that gets used a lot in the dog breeding world, and not always with the same meaning. Some breeders use it to mean a vet checked the puppy before it went home. Others use it to mean something far more rigorous and meaningful. Understanding the difference is one of the most important things a family can do before choosing where their puppy comes from, because the gap between those two definitions shows up not at pickup day but in the years that follow.

At Havana Luxe Pups, health testing is not a marketing phrase. It is the foundation of everything we do. Every parent dog in our program goes through comprehensive genetic DNA testing and OFA certification before they are ever part of a litter, because we believe that a healthy puppy starts long before the puppy is born.

What Health Testing Actually Means

When responsible breeders talk about health testing, they are referring to a specific set of evaluations performed on parent dogs before breeding. These tests are designed to identify inherited conditions that can be passed from parent to offspring, conditions that may not show up in a puppy at eight weeks but can significantly affect their quality of life as they mature.

Health testing is not the same as a wellness exam. A veterinarian confirming that a dog appears healthy at a routine checkup is not health testing. Health testing involves specialized evaluations, genetic screenings, and certifications from recognized organizations that assess whether a dog carries markers for specific inherited diseases or structural conditions.

The distinction matters enormously for families, because a puppy whose parents were health tested has a fundamentally different genetic foundation than a puppy whose parents were simply declared healthy by appearance.

OFA Health Testing: What It Covers and Why It Matters

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, known as the OFA, is the leading organization for canine health testing in the United States. OFA certifications are publicly verifiable, which means any family can look up a dog’s results directly at ofa.org before committing to a puppy. That transparency is one of the clearest signals that a breeder is doing the work honestly.

OFA Hip Certification

OFA hip certification evaluates the structure of a dog’s hip joints through X-rays reviewed by three board-certified radiologists. Hip dysplasia is one of the most common inherited orthopedic conditions in dogs, and while it is more frequently associated with larger breeds, it can and does occur in small breeds as well. Breeding dogs with certified healthy hips significantly reduces the likelihood of passing this condition on to their offspring.

OFA Patella Certification

Luxating patella, a condition where the kneecap moves out of its normal groove, is one of the most common orthopedic concerns in small breeds, including the Havanese and Havapoo. OFA patella certification confirms that a breeding dog’s kneecaps are properly seated and functioning normally. For small-breed families, this certification is particularly meaningful because luxating patella can cause significant pain and may require surgical correction if severe.

CAER Eye Examination

The Companion Animal Eye Registry examination, performed by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, screens for heritable eye conditions including cataracts, retinal folds, persistent pupillary membranes, and other conditions that can affect vision and quality of life. CAER certifications expire annually, which means responsible breeders repeat this examination every year to ensure their breeding dogs remain clear.

BAER Hearing Test

The Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response test screens for congenital deafness through neurological evaluation. Deafness in dogs is often genetic and can be present from birth without any outward sign in a young puppy. BAER testing identifies dogs who carry hearing impairment before they are ever bred, preventing the condition from being passed to future litters.

CHIC Numbers: The Gold Standard of Transparency

When a breeding dog has completed all health testing recommended by their breed club, they are assigned a CHIC number through the Canine Health Information Center. For Havanese, the recommended testing protocol is established by the Havanese Club of America, and a CHIC number confirms that all of those tests have been completed and are on record.

The most important thing about CHIC numbers is that they are publicly verifiable. Any family can go to ofa.org, search a dog’s CHIC number, and confirm exactly what testing has been done and what the results were. This is the clearest, most transparent way to verify that a breeder has done the work they say they have, and it is something we encourage every family to do before committing to any breeder.

At Havana Luxe Pups, our parent dogs meet these standards and we are always happy to provide documentation and answer any questions families have about our testing protocols. Transparency is not something we offer reluctantly. It is something we believe every family deserves.

Genetic DNA Testing: Going Beyond OFA

OFA certifications evaluate physical structure and function. Comprehensive genetic DNA testing goes a step further by identifying what a dog carries at the genetic level, including markers for dozens of inherited conditions that cannot be detected through physical examination alone.

Genetic DNA screening provides a complete picture of what each parent dog may pass on to their offspring. When two dogs are paired, a responsible breeder reviews both profiles to ensure that the pairing does not produce puppies at risk for conditions either parent carries. This process, called marker-based pairing, is one of the most powerful tools available for producing genuinely healthy litters.

At Havana Luxe Pups, we use comprehensive genetic DNA screening on all of our parent dogs without exception. This is one of the most significant investments a breeder can make, and it is one we make because we believe the families who trust us with this decision deserve nothing less.

Why Health Testing Matters Even More for Hybrid Breeds

For purebred dogs, breed clubs establish health testing protocols and AKC registration provides a layer of accountability that at least creates a framework for responsible breeding. For hybrid breeds like the Havapoo, no such framework exists at the same level, which means the quality of health testing varies enormously from one breeder to the next.

The popularity of Doodle-type dogs has attracted a wide range of breeders, and not all of them are doing the work that produces a healthy, well-adjusted puppy. Because there is no governing body setting standards for Havapoo breeding the way breed clubs do for purebreds, the responsibility falls entirely on individual breeders to hold themselves to a high standard.

This is exactly why we believe health testing is the single most important thing to evaluate when choosing a Havapoo breeder. A breeder who can show you OFA certifications, genetic DNA testing results, and CHIC numbers for their parent dogs is a breeder who is doing the work regardless of whether anyone is requiring them to. That commitment speaks volumes about how they approach everything else in their program.

What to Ask a Breeder About Health Testing

Walking into a conversation with a breeder armed with the right questions is one of the most empowering things a family can do. Here are the questions that matter most.

Ask to see OFA certifications for both parent dogs and verify them directly at ofa.org. Ask for CHIC numbers and look them up yourself. Ask what genetic DNA panel was used and which conditions were screened for. Ask how the breeder uses the results of that testing when making pairing decisions. Ask what the health guarantee covers specifically, how a claim works in practice, and what is excluded.

A breeder who has done the work will answer these questions directly, specifically, and without hesitation. Vague answers, deflection, or an inability to provide documentation are meaningful signals that the testing either was not done or was not done thoroughly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is health testing in dog breeding?

Health testing refers to specialized evaluations performed on parent dogs before breeding to screen for inherited conditions. It goes far beyond a routine vet checkup and includes OFA certifications, genetic DNA screening, and breed-specific testing protocols.

How do I verify a breeder’s health testing claims?

Ask for OFA certifications and CHIC numbers, then verify them directly at ofa.org. This public database allows anyone to confirm what testing has been completed and what the results were.

What is a CHIC number and why does it matter?

A CHIC number is assigned when a breeding dog has completed all health testing recommended by their breed club. It is publicly verifiable at ofa.org and is one of the clearest indicators that a breeder has done comprehensive health testing.

Is health testing required for Havapoo breeders?

No. Unlike purebred dogs governed by breed clubs, hybrid breeds like the Havapoo have no mandatory health testing requirements. This makes it even more important for families to ask specific questions and verify documentation independently.

What is the difference between a health guarantee and health testing?

Health testing is performed on parent dogs before breeding to reduce genetic risk. A health guarantee is a post-purchase commitment from the breeder covering the puppy against certain conditions. Both matter, but health testing is what determines the quality of the puppy’s genetic foundation before they are ever born.

Why should I choose a breeder who health tests over one who does not?

A puppy from health-tested parents has a significantly lower risk of inheriting debilitating genetic conditions. The investment in health testing reflects a breeder’s genuine commitment to the long-term wellbeing of their puppies and the families who love them.