Table of Contents

• What Puppy Health Certifications Actually Mean
• Common Canine Health Tests and What They Screen For
• How to Look Up OFA Health Testing Lookup Records
• Understanding Breed-Specific Health Tests for Dogs
• Step-by-Step Verification Workflow for Buyers
• Red Flags: What to Question When Reviewing Health Documentation
• Distinguishing Travel Certificates From Breeding-Health Clearances
• Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: October 12, 2026

What Puppy Health Certifications Actually Mean

When prospective dog owners begin researching breeders, health certifications emerge as a critical factor in making an informed decision. Understanding what these documents represent, and what they don’t, is the first step in learning how to verify puppy health certifications.

Health certificates versus health clearances are two distinct documents that serve different purposes. A health certificate is a travel document issued by a veterinarian before a puppy is transported, confirming the dog is healthy enough for travel and meets interstate or international requirements. A health clearance, by contrast, is a formal screening result from a specialized testing organization that evaluates the parent dogs for genetic or inherited conditions.

Why parent-dog screening matters cannot be overstated. Puppies inherit genetic traits and predispositions from both parents. A puppy may appear healthy at eight weeks old, but without parental health screening, serious problems can emerge months or years later. Responsible breeders test their breeding stock before producing litters. This proactive approach reduces the risk that puppies will develop costly or life-threatening inherited conditions. When you verify puppy health certifications, you are essentially verifying that the parents were evaluated for known health risks in the breed.

Common Canine Health Tests and What They Screen For

The range of health tests available for dogs can feel overwhelming. Each test targets specific conditions or body systems. Understanding what each one evaluates helps buyers know which tests matter most for their chosen breed.

Hip and elbow evaluations are among the most common screening tests. Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joint develops abnormally, leading to arthritis, pain, and mobility loss (Canine hip dysplasia (CHD)). Elbow dysplasia affects the elbow joint in similar ways. Both conditions are inherited and more common in larger breeds, but they appear across many sizes. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) evaluates hip and elbow X-rays submitted by veterinarians. PennHip evaluates hip X-rays.

Eye examinations and cardiac screening address different health concerns. Eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, and lens luxation can lead to blindness. The Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) certifies eye health through board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists. Cardiac screening detects heart murmurs and structural defects. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals also maintains a cardiac registry where dogs receive certifications after examination by either a general practitioner for the basic cardiac exam or a board-certified cardiologist for an extensive exam.

DNA and genetic testing identifies carriers of recessive genetic disorders. Tests screen for conditions like von Willebrand’s disease, progressive retinal atrophy, and breed-specific genetic mutations. A dog can be a carrier, meaning it carries one copy of a disease gene, without showing symptoms. Responsible breeders use DNA results to avoid breeding two carriers together, which could produce affected puppies.

How to Look Up OFA Health Testing Lookup Records

The OFA maintains a public database of registered health test results. This transparency allows prospective buyers to independently verify a breeder’s claims about parent-dog screening.

Accessing the public database is free and straightforward. Visit the OFA website and use their search function. Enter the registered name or OFA number of a parent dog. The database returns all registered health test results for that dog, including hip and elbow evaluations, cardiac certifications, and other screening results. The search shows the date each test was completed, the score or result status, and the evaluating veterinarian or specialist.

Matching identity and registration numbers is essential for accurate verification. A breeder might provide a dog’s name, but multiple dogs can share similar names. The OFA registration number is unique and eliminates confusion. When a breeder gives you a parent dog’s name, ask for the registered name and OFA number. Then search the database using that number.

A common mistake is accepting a breeder’s word that a dog is “OFA certified” without independently checking the database. Breeders may misremember scores, exaggerate results, or claim certifications that were never completed. The database is the source of truth. If a dog’s results do not appear in the OFA database, the testing either was never done or was never registered, both red flags.

Understanding Breed-Specific Health Tests for Dogs

Every breed carries predispositions to certain genetic and inherited conditions. Responsible breeders understand these breed-specific risks and screen accordingly.

Coton de Tulear breed-specific requirements reflect the health challenges most common in the breed. The Coton de Tulear Club of America recommends that breeding dogs receive OFA hip and elbow evaluations, eye examinations through CERF, and cardiac screening. The breed also has documented risks for certain genetic conditions, so DNA testing for relevant markers is encouraged. Because the Coton de Tulear is a smaller breed, hip and elbow dysplasia are less prevalent than in large breeds. Eye conditions such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy are more common concerns.

Parent-club recommendations and screening protocols vary by breed organization. The national breed club publishes guidance on which health tests responsible breeders should perform. These recommendations are based on decades of breed history, genetic research, and documented health problems within the breed population. When evaluating a breeder, ask which health tests they perform and why. A breeder familiar with parent-club recommendations will have clear answers. They should be able to explain the breed’s most common health risks and how their screening program addresses them.

Yankee Cotons prioritizes transparency in medical clearances and educates prospective owners about breed-specific health screening. With over 30 years of experience in canine care, the operation emphasizes research-based screening protocols aligned with breed club standards.

Step-by-Step Verification Workflow for Buyers

A systematic approach to verifying health certifications removes guesswork and protects your investment in a puppy.

Request and authenticate dog breeder health testing records as your first step. Contact the breeder and ask for copies of all parent-dog health test results. Request original documentation or official certificates, not just screenshots or summaries. Reputable breeders readily provide this information. If a breeder hesitates, becomes defensive, or claims records are “in progress,” that is a warning sign. Ask specifically for:

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• OFA registration numbers and search results
• CERF eye examination reports
• Cardiac screening certificates
• DNA test results with laboratory names
• Dates each test was completed
• Names and credentials of evaluating veterinarians or specialists

Cross-reference results and resolve mismatches is the verification step. Once you have documentation, independently search the OFA database using the parent dog’s registration number. Compare what the breeder told you against what the database shows. Does the OFA number match? Do the test results match? Are the dates consistent? If a breeder claims a dog received an “Excellent” hip rating but the database shows “Good,” that discrepancy needs explanation.

Understand result statuses and limitations before making a final decision. An OFA “Good” hip rating does not guarantee a dog will never develop arthritis or mobility issues. It means the dog’s hips were evaluated at a specific point in time and showed acceptable structure. Environmental factors, diet, exercise, and age all influence whether a dog develops clinical signs of dysplasia. A dog with excellent hip scores can still produce puppies with poor hips if bred to a partner with poor scores.

Red Flags: What to Question When Reviewing Health Documentation

Certain patterns in a breeder’s health documentation, or lack thereof, warrant serious concern.

Watch for breeders who provide no health test results or claim testing is “in progress” indefinitely. Responsible breeders complete health screening before breeding and have results available. A breeder who has been producing litters for years but cannot show you completed health certifications is not following ethical breeding practices.

Be cautious of breeders who provide only verbal assurances without written documentation. Statements like “Our dogs are all healthy” or “We screen for everything” lack credibility without supporting evidence. Written results from recognized testing organizations are the standard.

Question results that seem unusually perfect. If every dog in a breeder’s program has “Excellent” scores across all tests, that may indicate the breeder is selectively reporting only the best results or has not actually tested all breeding dogs. Genetic diversity in a breeding program sometimes means accepting dogs with “Good” rather than “Excellent” scores to maintain healthy gene pools.

Avoid breeders who pressure you to decide quickly or discourage you from verifying information. Ethical breeders welcome questions and independent verification. They understand that buyers need time to research and confirm details.

Distinguishing Travel Certificates From Breeding-Health Clearances

A health certificate and a breeding-health clearance serve completely different purposes, yet some breeders conflate them.

A travel certificate is issued by a licensed veterinarian shortly before a puppy is shipped. The veterinarian performs a basic physical examination, checks vaccination records, and confirms the puppy appears healthy enough for transport. This certificate satisfies airline or interstate shipping requirements. It does not evaluate genetic health, inherited conditions, or the health of parent dogs.

A breeding-health clearance comes from a specialized testing organization like the OFA or CAER. It documents that a parent dog was formally evaluated for genetic or inherited conditions by a board-certified specialist. These clearances are registered in public databases and remain part of a dog’s permanent record. They directly inform decisions about whether a dog should be used in a breeding program.

Some breeders, intentionally or not, present a travel certificate as evidence of health screening. They may say “Our puppies come with a health certificate,” which is technically true but misleading. A buyer might assume this means the parents were screened, when in fact it only means the puppy was examined before shipping.

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Verifying puppy health certifications requires time and attention to detail, but the effort protects both your family and the long-term health of the puppy you bring home. Responsible breeders like Yankee Cotons understand that transparency in medical screening builds trust and produces healthier dogs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I verify a puppy’s health certifications?

Request complete medical records and test results from the breeder, then cross-reference parent-dog information in the OFA public database. Verify that registration numbers match, test dates are within acceptable ranges, and results show passing scores. Contact the testing organization directly if you need confirmation, and review any breed-specific health requirements for your dog’s breed.

What is the difference between a veterinary health certificate and a genetic health clearance?

A veterinary health certificate confirms your puppy is currently healthy and fit to travel or be sold—it’s a snapshot of condition at one moment. A genetic health clearance, such as an OFA certification, documents that a parent dog has been screened for inherited diseases and what the result was. The certificate does NOT always mean the dog met breed standards. Clearances are permanent records tied to the parent dog’s identity and are far more predictive of long-term health risk in offspring.

How do I look up a dog’s OFA health testing results?

Visit the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) public database online and search by the parent dog’s registered name or registration number. The database displays all recorded test results, clearance status, and test dates. You can verify hip scores, elbow evaluations, eye exam results, and cardiac screening outcomes. If results are not publicly listed, ask the breeder for a direct copy of the official report from the testing veterinarian.

What health tests should a breeder provide for a puppy’s parents?

Responsible breeders should provide OFA-registered hip and elbow evaluations, eye examinations (CERF or similar), and cardiac screening for parent dogs. Breed-specific testing may include DNA tests for genetic conditions common to that breed. Ask the breeder which tests are breed-recommended and request documented proof from each parent. Verify that tests were performed by qualified specialists and that results are current—most clearances remain valid for the dog’s lifetime, though some require periodic renewal.