Labrador OFA Tests to Have Before Breeding

Last updated: October 2026

If you’re planning to breed your Labrador, health testing isn’t optional — it’s the most important thing you can do before any pairing is considered. Labradors have well-documented heritable conditions that conscientious breeders have been working to reduce for decades. Skipping the tests doesn’t make the risk go away; it just means you’re passing it on to the puppies, and eventually to the owners who take them home.

The short version: before a Labrador is bred, both parents should have permanent OFA hip and elbow ratings (taken at 24 months or older), an eye exam by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist from the last 12 months, and a DNA result for exercise-induced collapse (EIC). That’s the floor. Good breeders go further, and I’ll walk through what “further” looks like below.

I learned how much this matters the slow way. When I was looking for the litter my current Lab came from, I sat at the kitchen table with the OFA database open in one tab and a breeder’s website in the other. Two of the three breeders I’d shortlisted talked about “health tested parents” in glowing terms. Only one of them had results I could actually find, under the dogs’ registered names, for hips, elbows, eyes and EIC. That’s the breeder I went with, and that evening of cross-checking is the reason I wrote this guide.

This guide covers the core OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) tests recommended for Labradors, what each one screens for, and what the results mean in practice.

A quick note before you read on: I’m a long-time Lab owner, not a veterinarian or a geneticist. This page explains what the tests are and how to read the paperwork. It isn’t a diagnosis for any individual dog, and it isn’t a substitute for advice from your vet, a board-certified specialist, or your breed club. If you’re seriously considering a litter, book a pre-breeding consult with your vet first.

Labrador OFA tests at a glance

Here’s the whole picture on one screen. I keep a printed copy of something like this whenever I talk to a breeder, because it’s easy to nod along to “fully health tested” and forget to ask about the boring details, like when the eye exam was actually done.

Test	How it’s done	Earliest final result	What a pass looks like	Does it expire?
Hips (OFA)	X-ray, graded by three radiologists	24 months	Excellent, Good or Fair	No
Hips (PennHIP)	Distraction X-rays	16 weeks	Low distraction index (tighter hips)	No, though many repeat it later
Elbows (OFA)	X-ray of both elbows	24 months	Normal	No
Eyes (OFA Eye / CAER)	Exam by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist	Any age	No heritable eye disease noted	Yes, valid 12 months
EIC	DNA (cheek swab or blood)	Any age	Clear, or Carrier bred only to Clear	No
prcd-PRA, CNM, HNPK, SD2	DNA	Any age	Clear, or Carrier bred only to Clear	No
Heart	Exam by a veterinary cardiologist	12 months	Normal	Some clubs recommend repeating

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals runs a program called CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) that sets the minimum test list for each breed together with the national breed club. You can see the current CHIC health testing requirements for Labrador Retrievers on the OFA site. A CHIC number means the required tests were done and the results are public. It does not mean the dog passed all of them, which surprises a lot of people.

The core tests for Labrador Retrievers

Hip evaluation

Hip dysplasia — abnormal development of the hip joint — is one of the most common heritable conditions in Labradors. OFA hip evaluation involves radiographs taken when the dog is at least 24 months old (the minimum age for a permanent rating), assessed by three independent radiologists. Results are graded Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline, Mild, Moderate, or Severe. Reputable breeders breed only from dogs rated Excellent, Good, or Fair.

The PennHIP method is an alternative that can be done from 16 weeks and some breeders consider it more predictive — both are accepted, and PennHIP results are expressed differently (as a distraction index rather than a grade).

One thing worth knowing: hip dysplasia is polygenic, which means it’s shaped by many genes plus environment. Weight, growth rate and exercise in puppyhood all play a part. That’s why two Excellent-rated parents can still produce a dysplastic puppy, and why the OFA’s explanation of how hip dysplasia is inherited leans so heavily on looking at the whole family, not just one dog. When I look at a pedigree, I’m happier seeing a run of passed hips among siblings and grandparents than one star dog surrounded by gaps.

Elbow evaluation

Elbow dysplasia — a group of developmental conditions affecting the elbow joint — is also highly prevalent in Labs. OFA elbow evaluation uses radiographs to grade elbows as Normal, Grade I, Grade II, or Grade III dysplasia. Both elbows are evaluated. Only dogs with Normal elbow grades should be bred.

Elbows tend to get less attention than hips in casual conversation, but in my experience the elbow result is the one buyers forget to ask about. A front-end lameness in a young, bouncy Lab is often an elbow story. Hips and elbows are usually X-rayed at the same appointment, so there’s no good reason for a breeder to have one and not the other.

Eye examination (CAER/OFA Eye)

An annual eye exam by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist screens for heritable eye conditions including progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and hereditary cataract. Unlike hips and elbows, eye clearances are not permanent — they expire annually because some conditions develop over time. A current eye clearance (within 12 months of breeding) is required.

The OFA eye certification registry is where these exams are recorded. Many breeders book eye clinics at dog shows, where a visiting ophthalmologist sees a long line of dogs in one afternoon, which keeps the cost down. If a breeder shows me an eye certificate from three years ago, I treat it as useful history, not as a current clearance.

EIC DNA test (Exercise-Induced Collapse)

EIC is a recessive condition in which affected dogs collapse during or after intense exercise. It’s caused by a specific mutation in the DNM1 gene. DNA testing gives a definitive result: Clear (no copies of the mutation), Carrier (one copy, unaffected but can pass it on), or Affected (two copies, will show the condition). A carrier bred to a clear dog produces no affected puppies — but two carriers should not be bred together.

The test is simple, usually a cheek swab you can post yourself. The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory’s EIC test page explains the result categories clearly if you want to read the science side. EIC is especially relevant for field and working-line Labs, which are more likely to be pushed to the kind of intense, excited exercise that triggers an episode.

D locus (dilute) DNA test

This test identifies whether a dog carries the dilute gene responsible for charcoal, silver, and champagne coat colours in Labradors. These colours are controversial within the breed — they’re not recognised by major kennel clubs and are associated with a condition called Colour Dilution Alopecia in some dogs. Many Lab breeders test for this to make informed decisions about pairings.

I’ve written more about the debate in my guide to silver Labrador colour, care and common questions, and the wider genetics of black, yellow and chocolate are covered in my Labrador colours explainer.

Additional recommended tests

• CNM (Centronuclear Myopathy): A muscle disease that causes progressive weakness. DNA test, recessive inheritance — same carrier/clear/affected logic as EIC.
• HNPK (Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis): Causes chronic crusting of the nose. DNA test available.
• prcd-PRA (Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration): A specific form of PRA causing progressive blindness. DNA test; recessive.
• Cardiac evaluation: OFA cardiac exam by a cardiologist recommended by many breed clubs, particularly for working lines.
• SD2 (Skeletal Dysplasia 2): A mild form of disproportionate dwarfism, where the legs are noticeably shorter than normal. DNA test; recessive. It’s more often seen in working lines, and it can be missed by eye in a dog that’s only mildly affected.
• Copper toxicosis (ATP7B): Some breeders now test for a gene variant linked to copper building up in the liver. The inheritance is more complicated than a simple clear/carrier result, so I’d talk through any result with your vet rather than reading it in isolation.

When to test: a realistic timeline

People are often surprised by how long health testing stretches out. You can’t rush the permanent hip and elbow ratings, so a Labrador bred before two years old simply can’t have the full set of clearances. Here’s roughly how it plays out for a dog being considered for breeding:

1. As a puppy (any age): run the DNA panel. EIC, prcd-PRA, CNM, HNPK, SD2 and the D locus can all be done from a cheek swab. Many good breeders have these results on file before the puppy even leaves for its new home.
2. From 16 weeks: PennHIP is an option if you want an early read on hip laxity.
3. Around 12 months: preliminary hip and elbow X-rays, plus a first eye exam. Prelims aren’t permanent, but they can save you a year of hoping.
4. At 24 months or older: final OFA hip and elbow submissions. This is the earliest point the dog can be properly cleared for breeding.
5. Within 12 months of the mating: a fresh eye exam, and a heart exam if your breed club recommends one.
6. Every year the dog stays in a breeding program: repeat the eye exam.

If you’re outside the US, the names change but the logic doesn’t. In the UK, for example, hips and elbows go through the BVA/Kennel Club schemes, where hips get a numerical score rather than a grade (lower is better). Your national breed club will tell you what’s expected locally.

How to verify health tests

All OFA results for registered dogs are publicly searchable at ofa.org. If a breeder claims their dogs are health tested, you can verify it independently. For DNA tests, certificates should be available from an accredited laboratory. Reputable breeders will share this information freely and without hesitation.

This is the exact routine I followed on that evening at the kitchen table, and it took about twenty minutes per breeder:

1. Ask for the registered names (not the call names) of both the sire and the dam. “Bella” won’t find anything; “Foxglove Morning Bell of Somewhere” will.
2. Search each name on the OFA site and open the dog’s full record.
3. Check that hips and elbows show a final rating, not just a preliminary, and note the age at testing.
4. Look at the date of the most recent eye exam. More than 12 months before the mating means it wasn’t current.
5. Look for EIC and the other DNA results, either on OFA or as lab certificates the breeder sends you.
6. Click through to siblings and parents where you can. A family with consistent results is a much better sign than one tested dog in an untested line.

If something doesn’t add up, ask. A good breeder will either show you the paperwork or explain the gap honestly (for example, a result that’s been submitted but isn’t published yet). If the answer is vague or defensive, that tells you a lot. Once the paperwork checks out, my notes on how to choose a Labrador puppy from a litter pick up where this page leaves off.

Red flags I watch for in health claims

• “Vet checked” presented as health tested. A general vet check is good practice, but it isn’t a hip X-ray or a DNA test.
• “Parents are clear” with no names. If I can’t look it up, I treat it as unknown.
• Breeding dogs under two. They can’t have permanent hip and elbow ratings yet.
• Only the mother is tested. Both parents pass on genes. A stud dog’s results matter just as much.
• A “hip guarantee” offered instead of results. A guarantee is a refund policy, not prevention. I’d rather have the X-rays.
• Two carriers paired together. For recessive conditions like EIC or prcd-PRA, this risks affected puppies and isn’t something a careful breeder does.

My take: minimum standards vs best practice

The minimum responsible standard for Labrador breeding is hips, elbows, eyes, and EIC. The best practice includes the full suite above. Health testing costs money and time — which is why it’s often skipped by backyard breeders and puppy farms. The presence or absence of complete health testing on both parents is one of the clearest signals of whether a breeder is genuinely invested in the breed’s health or just in the sale.

To put the cost in perspective: across X-rays, sedation, the eye exam and a DNA panel, testing one dog usually runs to several hundred dollars, and prices vary a lot by region and clinic. That’s real money, but it’s small next to the cost of an elbow surgery, or the heartbreak of a puppy going blind at five. When a puppy from fully tested parents costs a bit more, that’s part of what you’re paying for.

If you’re a buyer rather than a breeder, this list also tells you exactly what to ask for when evaluating a litter.

People also ask about Labrador OFA testing

At what age can Labradors be OFA tested for hips?

Preliminary hip evaluations can be done from 12 months, but the permanent OFA rating requires the dog to be at least 24 months old. Many breeders do a preliminary at 12–18 months to get an early indication, then confirm with the permanent rating before breeding.

Can a dog with hip dysplasia be bred?

Most breed clubs and responsible breeders would say no — only dogs rated Excellent, Good, or Fair should be bred. A dog with a Borderline or dysplastic rating significantly increases the risk of hip problems in offspring, even if paired with an Excellent-rated partner.

What’s the difference between OFA and PennHIP?

OFA uses a single extended-position radiograph assessed at 24 months and gives a descriptive grade. PennHIP uses multiple views taken in distraction, can be done from 16 weeks, and gives a distraction index (DI) — a numerical score where lower is better. Both are valid; PennHIP has some advantages in early screening and predictive accuracy. Many serious breeders use both.

Does a CHIC number mean my Lab passed everything?

No. It only means the breed’s required tests were done and the results are published, good or bad. Always open the full record and read the actual results.

My Lab is an EIC carrier. Should I rule out breeding?

Not necessarily. A carrier is healthy, and pairing a carrier with a Clear mate produces no affected puppies, though around half of the litter may be carriers too. Dropping every carrier from the gene pool can shrink it fast, so many breeders keep a good carrier in their program and simply choose a Clear partner. Your vet or breed club can help you weigh this for your own dog.

Do I need all these tests if I’m only having one litter?

Yes. The puppies don’t know it’s your only litter. Every one of them goes to a family who’ll live with the outcome for 10 to 14 years, so the testing standard shouldn’t drop just because you’re not a full-time breeder.

Can health testing guarantee a healthy puppy?

Honestly, no. Testing lowers the odds of inherited problems; it doesn’t remove them, especially for conditions like hip dysplasia that also depend on diet, weight and exercise. What it does give you is a much better starting point, and a breeder who’s shown they care about more than the sale.

OFA results are the first thing to ask a breeder about — see my Labrador breeder questions guide. Hip scoring is the most important OFA test — read my guide to how to tell if a Labrador has hip dysplasia. Elbow testing is equally essential — see my Labrador elbow dysplasia guide.