What Do PennHIP & OFA Certification Really Mean in Dog Breeding?

And why they matter WAY more than a cute puppy picture.

When you’re searching for a puppy, it’s easy to get swept away by those big round eyes and pudgy little paws. Trust me, I get it—I live surrounded by adorable chaos. But behind every healthy, confident, well-built doodle or poodle is something far more important than a cute photo.

Responsible breeders who invest in real health testing.

And no, I’m not talking about a “DNA test” someone did in their living room and called it good.
I’m talking PennHIP, OFA, and the whole lineup of certifications that prove a breeder isn’t just breeding for fun… they’re breeding with purpose.

Let’s break it down in plain english.

What Is PennHIP?

Think of PennHIP as the overachiever of hip testing. It doesn’t just check if a dog looks okay—it measures how loose the hips actually are. Hip laxity is the #1 indicator of hip dysplasia risk.

PennHIP tells breeders:

How likely a dog is to develop hip issues

Where they stand compared to others in their breed

Whether they should be bred responsibly

The test uses specialized X-rays taken by a certified PennHIP veterinarian, and it’s one of the most reliable ways to assess hip health early—as young as 16 weeks old.

Translation?
Breeders who invest in PennHIP aren’t guessing. They’re making decisions backed by research, data, and actual science… not wishful thinking.

What Is OFA Certification?

The OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) evaluates hips too—but it doesn’t stop there. This is the all-around report card for a breeding dog’s structure and genetic soundness.

Depending on the breed, OFA can certify:

Hips

Elbows

Cardiac (heart)

Patellas (knees)

Eyes (via CAER exam)

Thyroid

For hips and elbows, final certification happens at 2 years old, because that’s when the joints are fully developed. Ethical breeders wait for these results before adding dogs to their program or breeding them.

Is it time-consuming? Yep.
Expensive? Absolutely.
Worth it? Every. Single. Penny.

Because a healthy structure today means a healthier, happier dog for the next decade.

DNA Testing ≠ Full Health Testing

Let’s set the record straight, because this confusion is everywhere.

A clear DNA panel is fantastic and absolutely part of responsible breeding. But DNA testing alone is NOT full health testing.

Genetic tests can catch inherited disease.
But they can’t see hips. They can’t see elbows. They can’t check hearts. They can’t look at patellas.

Trying to substitute DNA for OFA/PennHIP is like saying you changed the oil in your truck and therefore the tires must be fine.

No, ma’am. That’s not how this works.

Why These Tests Matter to YOU (the future puppy parent)

When a breeder does PennHIP and OFA on their breeding dogs, they’re not just protecting their reputation—they’re protecting your future family member.

These tests help ensure:

Lower risk of genetic or structural issues

A longer, healthier life

Fewer surprise vet bills

Better temperament and soundness overall

Healthy parents produce healthier puppies. It’s simple.

Breeding without these tests?
That’s playing genetic roulette, and your pup deserves better than a gamble.

What I Do in My Program

Here’s where I tell it like it is:

I don’t cut corners.
I don’t breed dogs with questionable results.
And I’m not here to slap a “full health tested” sticker on a dog that only had a DNA swab.

In my program:

PennHIP or OFA hips are required

OFA elbows, patellas, cardiac, and CAER eye exams are completed

DNA panels are done for ALL breeding dogs

Final OFAs are strongly preferred at 2 years old

Because I don’t just raise puppies—I raise family members.
And family deserves the best.

The Bottom Line

If a breeder is doing PennHIP and OFA, you can feel confident they’re not just breeding because puppies are cute (even though, honestly, they’re ridiculously cute). They’re breeding intentionally, ethically, and with your long-term happiness in mind.

If they’re not doing these tests? I see people say they are doing full health testing and only have DNA testing done.
Consider that a big red flag flapping in the Idaho wind.